Thom Thomas from channel five here, or that you forfeited your spotlight with Tori so we could all be in it.”
Ronan puts the beer steins in the freezer. “To be fair, it was Tori who pulled all the strings since she has all the connections. I just proposed the idea and she ran with it. I’m sorry I left you hanging the last couple of days, but I really wanted to be able to pull this off and give you and Buttercream and Booze the attention you deserved.”
“I feel bad for being annoyed with you.” And for doubting his sincerity and his loyalty. Although I was under a lot of stress, and he did sort of screw right off immediately after winning the Best Bar in Town award, so there was some room for doubt and worry.
He laughs. “Lars said you didn’t look all that impressed the couple of times you stopped in here. I told him I was trying to make some things happen, but I wouldn’t tell him what exactly because I couldn’t be sure he’d keep his mouth shut. And I knew if I saw you I’d want to tell you what I was planning, but on the off chance I failed, I also didn’t want to disappoint you. It was a real conundrum.”
“I’m so sorry I was less than sweet to you the past couple of days.” If I’d known he was planning something then maybe I would’ve calmed my tits and not been so passive-aggressive. It’s a good reminder that I can’t base my opinions or assumptions on past experiences and that Ronan isn’t like Raphael.
“It’s not your sweetness that keeps me coming back, Blaire.” He winks.
I’m about to give him some sass, but Tori appears at the bar. “Do you have a few minutes for an interview? I’d love to get your thoughts on how today has been for you and the rest of the family-owned businesses on the street.”
I make a move to step to the side. “I’ll just give you a few minutes.”
Ronan snags me by the waist before I get too far. “I think Tori actually wants to interview you, Blaire, since you’re the one who orchestrated all of this.”
I glance between him and Tori. “But it’s your spotlight.”
“I’d actually love it if you could do this together. Ronan’s already answered most of these questions for me over the past couple of days while we’ve been getting everything together to make this happen, but I’d love to get them on camera and hear your side of things, too, Blaire. Are you okay if we go live with this? It’s more organic this way, you know? Feels a lot less scripted.”
Ronan defers to me. “Are you okay with that?”
“Sure, of course. We can go live.” As if I’m going to pass up this opportunity.
“Great.” Tori motions for her crew to get set up and three women swoop in with makeup brushes and attack her face. “Can we touch you up, Blaire?”
“Um, sure?” One of the women flits down the length of the bar and makes her way to me, brushes and makeup case in hand.
Tori taps her lip. “I think you two should stay behind the bar. I like the lighting and the backdrop is fantastic. Are those your grandparents?” She points to the picture behind Ronan.
“That’s them.”
She looks from the framed photo to us and back again. “It’s like history repeating itself.” She does a little shimmy. “This is beyond perfect.”
Two minutes later I’m all touched up and when the girl moves in to get to Ronan he raises both hands in the air. “Is it okay if you don’t use that stuff on me?”
Tori waves her off and she takes a seat at the bar. I make her a pretty cocktail and we plate the lone Death by Chocolate cupcake for her. She’s all about product placement, making sure the coaster with The Knight Cap logo on it is situated so viewers can read it easily and that the cupcake box with the B&B sticker is equally visible and prominent.
“You two, nice and close, please.” Tori makes hand gestures until our shoulders are touching. “You can put your arm around Blaire, Ronan.”
He slings it over my shoulder and I wrap mine around his waist. I tip my chin up as he looks down and we both smile and laugh. He bends to press a kiss to my temple.