and anger the closer I got. She didn’t want me there. She was likely still pissed about what had transpired between us Sunday night, and she likely didn’t want me bringing it up in front of her fiancé.
And I wouldn’t. I was a gentleman, after all.
But I was still going to talk to her.
I slid my hands into the pockets of my jeans, sidling up next to Ruby Grace with my eyes on her fiancé as I waited for him to finish his conversation with the couple. I could feel Ruby Grace staring holes into the side of my face, but I just kept my smile, waiting patiently.
Anthony glanced at me quickly before turning his attention back to the couple, acknowledging my presence with a hint of annoyance. When the conversation was wrapped up between him and the couple, he shook their hands — and then they shook Ruby Grace’s, of course — before finally turning to me.
“I’m so sorry to interrupt, Mr. Caldwell,” I said, the most southern and welcoming smile on my face as I stretched a hand toward him. “I’m Noah Becker, one of the barrel raisers here at Scooter Whiskey. I helped your fiancé pick out her barrel, and I’m at your service tonight.”
Understanding shaded the annoyance, and Anthony returned my smile in the most genuine way I imagined he could before taking my hand and shaking it firmly. “Ah, yes. Of course. How do you do, Noah?”
“Oh, I’m fantastic. It’s our Academy Awards, after all, and I’m akin to the host of the show.” I grinned wider, squeezing his hand a little too hard before I dropped it and offered my calloused palm to the girl he still held possessively by the waist. “Ruby Grace, always a pleasure to see you. And might I say you look beautiful this evening.”
Her eyes narrowed into slits as she let me take her hand, and I lowered my lips to the back of it, pressing an appropriate kiss to the soft skin before turning back to Anthony.
“I thought I might show you to your barrel, let you taste it, since you weren’t there for the original purchase?”
Anthony eyed me, his gaze flicking to his blushing bride-to-be — who pretended not to be affected by our embrace — before it pinned me again. “Of course.”
“Wonderful,” I said. “Right this way.”
I gestured to the rows of barrels lining the far side of the tent, falling into step beside Ruby Grace as we made our way. Her jaw was clenched tight, skin pale as she watched me from the corner of her eyes. She seemed to be warning me, begging me for something, but I kept my attention on the man who demanded it so much.
“Ruby Grace surprised us all with her very generous wedding gift to you, Mr. Caldwell,” I said, stopping when we reached their barrel. “She surprised me even further with her impeccable knowledge of our whiskey. It’s such a rare sight to behold, a woman who knows how to detect the special flavors and notes, to pick out a fine whiskey. Your fiancé has great taste,” I said, watching his expression the entire time.
Anthony sized Ruby Grace up, like he was seeing her for the first time, and his brows lowered as he found me again. “I wasn’t aware there was a tasting involved.”
“Oh, only a small one. No more than an ounce or two,” I assured him. I leaned in closer, whispering conspiratorially. “Of course, that’s between us three. Wouldn’t want anyone getting wind of an underage tasting. But, hey, when the mayor’s daughter is getting married to such a prestigious, up-and-coming politician?” I shrugged. “The rules can be bent.”
I saw the war in his eyes, the struggle between wanting to feel threatened battling with the base level of my words that were flattering him. He cleared his throat, adjusting the lapels of his suit jacket before he gestured to the barrel. “Well, let’s have a taste, then, shall we?”
I poured each of us a one-ounce pour, handing them their glasses first before I lifted mine in a toast. “To a beautiful and happy marriage,” I said, smiling at Anthony. My gaze fell to Ruby Grace, then, eyes pinning hers. “And to the team you two will become. May you always love and respect the other.”
Anthony mumbled some sort of acknowledgement before throwing his whiskey back like a shot.
Ruby Grace, on the other hand, watched me with murder in her eyes.
I just smiled, tilting my glass