The following Monday, Charlotte still hadn’t heard from Dean about the invites, so she decided to make a surprise drop-in. She couldn’t deny that part of her feared he was avoiding her after that kiss, and she knew that meant it was up to her to make the next move.
At the sound of the front door, TJ stepped out of the office hallway into the main room. He gave Charlotte a wide smile and headed over. She couldn’t help wondering if Dean had told any of the guys what had happened between them, but instantly she dismissed the idea. It was not at all in his character to kiss and tell.
“Are you here on official wedding business?” TJ asked with a smile. “I still can’t believe you let Dean talk you into helping him.”
“Well, I had to, didn’t I? Since you guys wouldn’t,” she teased.
TJ feigned a hurt expression before continuing. “It’s true, but not because we don’t love him and Alex. We are literally all working our asses off. Nearly twelve-hour days sometimes. And Dean’s the worst offender.”
“Is he? I’ll have to give him an earful. I bet things are even tougher with Tara gone.”
He nodded. “Yeah, that hurt, but her health comes first. And her baby’s.”
Their care for Tara and the health of her pregnancy sent an ache through Charlotte. She loved that they were all such good guys, and they worked so hard. All of them. “Maybe you should hire someone.”
“We talked about it. It’ll be somewhat back to normal once Tara comes back and can take over the wedding side of things, but Jake is struggling with getting all the marketing stuff done along with deliveries and social media. Then Dean … well, he needs an assistant. That’s for damn sure.”
Charlotte knew Dean was their head distiller, having worked for a larger company for several years and then a craft beer company in downtown Kansas City. “Surely he could train someone.”
TJ laughed. “I know he could. He’s taught both of us how to help him—and we do—but we’re all overworked. I think pride has kept him from admitting he can’t do it all. And then with this wedding planning on top of that … well, I feel for the guy.”
“Sounds like you and Jake just need to pull majority and insist he hire help. Is it a matter of money?” One thing she liked about the Stag guys—especially TJ, since the money side was his specialty—was they could talk business transparently. She enjoyed networking and sharing experiences with other small-business owners. It was always nice to hear other perspectives and ideas, even use one another as sounding boards.
“No. I mean, we’re not rich, but we were out of the red by our third year, and this has been our best year yet. Once the signature offerings are ready to distribute, things will be even better. Jake’s already got about eighteen accounts lined up to carry them and will no doubt sign more when he goes on his festival tour.”
“So the distilling won’t be slowing down anytime soon.”
“Not at all. In fact, if things go as we hope it will increase.”
Charlotte nodded. She hated to think Dean was working too hard, but she could see him being a little reluctant to bring someone on to help him. The guy had a lot of pride. Not in an arrogant way, just … a wants-things-to-be-done-well kind of way. The type of pride that people respected. Especially her. “Maybe I’ll talk to him.”
“Be my guest. Maybe he’ll listen to you. He’s in the distilling room right now.”
Charlotte made her way through the main room, passing by the back wall of glass that showcased the row of stainless fermenters and the copper distiller. She saw Dean step through a door at the back, but he’d yet to see her. He was so adorable in his Stag polo and dark jeans, just working away in his domain.
A couple of years ago Jake had given her and Lauren a tour one night after a wedding, so she knew where she was going as she headed through a side door into a small hallway. She passed the room they used for bottling and made her way to the large back storage space. It was utilitarian, with concrete floors, a loading dock, and a large garage door. In the corner was the machine they used to mill grain. The door to the distilling room stood open, and she stepped through.
“Hey,” she said.
Dean’s head jerked up, and when he met her eyes, the expression on his face was one she’d never seen before. Panic. That let her know she’d been correct in her assumption that he was avoiding contact. Up until the photo shoot they’d had a pretty steady stream of texts going in regard to the wedding planning, and that had gone radio silent since that night. Since the kiss.
“Hi,” he said after getting control of his expression. “To what do I owe this surprise?”
He began to fidget with a gauge on the large vat that collected the distilled alcohol. Charlotte stepped farther into the room, noticing that he didn’t look her way.
“I just never heard from you on the invite situation and they really do need to go out this week.”
“Invites, yeah, God, you’re right.” His eyes finally flickered to hers; then he quickly bent over to mess with some hoses.
Never, ever, in the years she’d known him, had things been awkward between them. Not when she’d told him he had a nice butt, or when they’d joked about casual sex with co-workers. Okay, when she’d joked about it, and he’d played along. Not even the time they stood watching kids dance at a reception and she’d informed him he would make cute babies, to which he’d responded with, “Only if they were with you.” Not even that had made things awkward between them. But now they’d gone and made out, and things had changed.
She hated it.
“So, anyway, I went ahead and made a couple of designs in Photoshop, thought you could look and choose one. If I ordered them from my printing company, it would save you some money.”
“That sounds like a good idea.” His voice came from behind the fermenters, where he was still working on something.
Charlotte had no doubt that Dean was a busy man, especially after the conversation she’d just had with TJ. However, she also knew this was about way more than that. Had she come in like this a week ago, she was certain he would have taken a minute of his time to focus on her. She had to put a stop to this, especially if they were going to continue working together in any capacity, whether planning his sister’s wedding or with her shooting as a vendor in his building.
“Dean, can you not look at me?”
He let out a long sigh and then a muttered curse before standing up and meeting her eyes over the stainless-steel vessels. His look of panic had turned into something more resigned. Exhausted. Maybe she’d had it wrong and he was just stressed about work.
Stepping around the equipment, he walked up to her. “I’m sorry. I’m being rude and … it’s just been kind of a crazy week.”
“TJ mentioned how busy you guys have been.”
His eyebrows raised in surprise. “Yeah, well, things will be better when Alex’s wedding is over.”
For some reason that stung a little. “Is it just that?” She nodded toward the distilling operation. “Wouldn’t it be easier if you had someone helping you?”
He chuckled. “You’ve definitely been talking to TJ. He wants me to hire another distiller, but he fails to realize that it’s not that easy.”
“Couldn’t you teach someone? Like an apprentice. I mean, I have firsthand knowledge of your many talents, but I doubt even you came out of the womb making whiskey.”
Thankfully he laughed, the joke smoothing the way over her not-so-subtle nod to their previous time together.
“No, I didn’t. I learned from my grandfather, then went to work for a company in Oklahoma for a while. When I moved back here I worked for Bogey’s Craft Brew downtown, which has a similar process.”
He didn’t know Charlotte had read his bio on their website maybe a hundred times, since it included a picture of the three guys together. She knew his background well. Or at least what he’d shared with the public. She wished she knew more. The public, and the private.
“So see? The magic can be taught. TJ said you taught him and Jake.”
“I did. They help when I need them, but they’re not passionate about it like I am. I need someone who really wants to learn for pleasure.”
“The world is full of passionate people, Dean. If you haven’t noticed, you don’t really have an argument for not hiring help.”
He smiled and shook his head. “You’re stubborn, you know that?”
“I’ve been told. Plus, I worry about you. You’re working too hard.”
“That’s unnecessary, Charlotte. I’m fine.”
“Yeah, well, too late.” Their eyes met and held. She desperately wished she knew what he was thinking.
Finally, he nodded. “Why don’t we go in the office and you can show me those invitations.”
Charlotte followed him through the single door, into the warehouse, back down the hall, and into the main room once again. Jake, the playboy of the group, was sitting on one of the leather sofas with a laptop on the coffee table.
“Another order for Forkhorn and Signature. In Denver,” Jake said without looking up.
“Is this our first in Denver?” Dean asked.
“One has halfway committed but it’s contingent on the taste test.” Jake shook his head as he typed something quickly. “Idiots. As if the Stag would put out an inferior product.”
“Hi, Jake,” Charlotte finally said. The minute he looked up, he grinned, and within a fraction of a second he was off the couch and making his way toward her and wrapping her in the always eager, Jake hug.
“The prettiest photographer. Must be my lucky day.” His voice was muffled against her hair. When he pulled back he smiled.
Jake was an unapologetic flirt. With every female, so she always took it for what it was, which was innocent fun. Luckily for him, plenty of ladies fell for it, which Charlotte suspected was his intention. Jake never hurt for female attention, and she couldn’t blame any of them because he was young, gorgeous, and had a body that was meant for a good time.
But she felt nothing when she was around him. When she turned to Dean his eyes were tight and focused on Jake.
Jake looked quickly from Dean to Charlotte and then chuckled. “All righty then. I was going to ask Charlotte if she wanted to go out on a second date, but I don’t want to piss off the old man.”
Charlotte shook her head and laughed. She had never gone out with Jake, as he well knew. But it was kind of fun to make Dean squirm. “We haven’t done a wedding together in a while. I miss talking to you.”
“Yeah, funny, isn’t it? Your weddings always seem to fall on Dean’s nights.” He gave Charlotte a wink. “Wonder how that happens. I might have to insist on having you next time.”
“Jake.” Dean’s voice shot out hard, followed by the sound of Jake’s laughter as he sat back down to his laptop.
“Good to see you,” Charlotte called over her shoulder as she followed Dean toward the offices.
“You too, babe.” The clicking of his typing followed her.
She stepped past Dean, noticing the way his shirt pushed at his biceps as he held the door open so she could step into the conference room. Charlotte began to lay her bag on the table when his voice came from behind her.
“When did you go out with Jake?”
All right. She’d had enough of whatever this was between them.
She spun around, instantly annoyed at the anger in his tone. “Really? After all the times I’ve flirted with you, and you’d believe I’ve gone out with Jake? He was trying to get you worked up and clearly he succeeded. Which is interesting, isn’t it? Because as I recall, not fifteen minutes ago you could barely even look at me.”
His eyebrows went up and then his eyes went stormy once more as he stepped into her space. Charlotte backed up, the table pressing into the back of her thighs. She looked up at him. This was another thing that had never happened in all these years. She’d never witnessed Dean like this, definitely not directed at her. He’d always treated her gently as a vendor, and with reverent flirtation as a woman. Always straddling the fine line between naughtiness and propriety, even though she constantly strived to push him over the edge.
Right now he was way over the edge.
“I don’t need to look at you, Charlotte, because ever since I had my mouth on you Thursday, you’re all I see.”
She swallowed, her eyes unable to look away. “And obviously, that’s a problem for you. Is that what you’re telling me?”
His eyes softened. “I haven’t decided yet.”
With their eyes locked, she willed him to give her more to go on before she answered. Even the slightest expression might help. She searched his eyes, needing to know what he was thinking. Was he frustrated because he feared she didn’t feel the same? Or was he irritated because he didn’t want to feel what he did? Unfortunately, he gave her no hint to his emotions.
She’d always hoped her flirting with Dean would lead to something, since she’d had a crush on him for so long. But faced with the reality of admitting that, she knew that if it went wrong she’d be devastated. Working at the Stag was a huge part of her income. She loved working with these guys, loved flirting with Dean, and if some misplaced moment of passion between them messed all of that up … what would she do? Was it worth that? Why had she never considered the possible fallout between them before?
She nodded. “I don’t want you to regret what we did. I think you know I’ve wanted that for a long time. But I also don’t want things to be awkward between us.”
He breathed in deep through his nose and stepped away from her. They continued to stare for one long moment. She hated that her photo shoot had forced them into this position.
“I’m sorry I’m being an ass. I’m just worn thin right now.” He ran a hand through his hair and then sat down hard in a char.
Charlotte followed his lead and sat, but she couldn’t help her sadness over the fact that he hadn’t voiced a lack of regret for their kiss. Damn.
She wasn’t going to be hurt by that.
“Don’t apologize. I understand there’s a lot on your plate. Planning a wedding alone is incredibly stressful. But don’t go bridezilla on me this early in the game.”
Dean’s eyes shot to hers, and then he let out a chuckle. Charlotte sighed in relief. Laughter always worked. Charlotte pulled the laptop from her bag.
“Let me just show you these invites really quick and then I can quit bugging you.”
“You’re never bugging me, Charlotte. Ignore me when I act like an idiot,” he said quietly as she clicked through files.
“I’ll remember that.” She gave him a weak smile. Once she’d located the folder where she saved the samples, Charlotte turned the screen so Dean could get a good look at her work. “Here is one option. Simple, sophisticated. We could have this one printed on a beautiful pearl paper that would add a little shimmer.”
“That looks nice,” he said. Charlotte took that as her cue to click onto the next one. He immediately leaned forward. “I like that one better.”
“This one’s my favorite also. The font is really pretty and I thought the vines at the top added some interest without being ridiculous. I just had this feeling she wasn’t into over-the-top.”
“You would be correct. But she does like pretty things. She’s still a girl.” He sounded a little defensive.
“Of course, that’s not what I meant at all.”
His eyes flickered to hers. “I definitely think this is the one. How much will these cost?”
“Maybe eighty dollars for all of them. And that includes envelopes.”
He reached for his wallet. “Will a hundred be fine?”
Charlotte turned to face him fully. “I said eighty, and there’s no need to pay me now. I’ll give you a definitive price after I order.”
“What about your time?”
She shook her head. “It’s fine. I wanted to do this, and honestly this barely took me any time at all.” That wasn’t true—she’d worked several hours on these designs—but for some reason taking money from him felt … weird. It shouldn’t, but it did.
“Thank you.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and lacing his fingers together. “What’s left to do?”
Charlotte relaxed, hoping the awkwardness would continue to pass as they conversed more about the wedding. She pulled out her notebook and turned to the checklist in the front. “Quite a bit, actually. But it shouldn’t be too hard. We need to order the flowers, the cake, and a DJ if they want one. Discuss décor. I have some ideas for that. Also, what about rings? Do they have that covered?”
Dean sighed. “I have no idea. I didn’t even think about rings. I mean, he gave her an engagement ring, but I doubt he thought that far ahead.”
“Sometimes engagement rings come with a band, but not always. Is there a way you can ask her?”
“I don’t know. They’ve been busy lately. She’s on a mission. But I can email. Sometimes it takes her a few days to answer.”
“That’s okay. Why don’t I put together some questions for her and you can send it all in one email so we can move forward on some of these things.”
His face relaxed, eyes softening. “Yeah, that’s a good idea.”
Charlotte touched his arm gently. “We sort of jumped into this without thinking much through.”
Dean chuckled. “No kidding. I knew this would be a lot of work, but…” He sagged, his shoulders slumping when he looked over at her. “Thank you, again. You have no idea how grateful I am to you for doing this for Alex.”
She smiled. “Well, I don’t even know Alex, but I’m happy to do it for you.”
It was the truth, but the way his eyes focused in on her, maybe she shouldn’t have said it that way. They were both sending mixed signals, which she feared would eventually get them into trouble. But if Dean was feeling anywhere close to the way she was, he fought his own good sense on this one. She wanted Dean, badly. But his friendship and happiness were equally as important.
“So, why don’t you tell me what days work best for you and I’ll set up some of these appointments?”
He pushed his chair back, as if preparing to leave. “Don’t worry about that. You set them up when it works for you and I’ll make it happen.”
“Okay. I’ll let you know.”
He nodded and then stood up. Charlotte began to gather her things and stuff them back into her bag when a bridal magazine caught her eye. She turned to Dean. “Oh, I forgot, the most important thing. The dress.”
His face tightened and his mouth dropped the slightest bit. “Yeah, I actually thought of that, and uh … I think Amy is going to pick out Alex’s dress.”
“Is that a friend of hers? That makes sense.”
He hesitated. “Yeah, I thought so, too. I also found out she isn’t having a bridesmaid, or whatever. Just the two of them.”
“Okay. Well, that’s easy enough.” Charlotte smiled. “So we’re making progress. I’ll be in touch when I have some appointments set up for us.”
She slipped past him and was grateful to find that Jake had left the main room, leaving them alone. Dean followed her to the front door. Before pushing it open, she turned and looked up at him. If she left without saying what was on her mind, she would regret it.
“Dean, I’m sorry about the photoshoot. If I’d known it would make things weird between us, I never would have done it.”
“Don’t apologize, Charlotte. Everything that happened … it was my fault.”
“What makes you say that? Do you think I didn’t want to kiss you? I thought … well, I just thought you’d always known that when I flirted with you … I meant it.”
He breathed in deep, his eyes trained on hers. “I always hoped you meant it.”
She grinned at him, releasing a breath. Here they went again, sending those mixed signals. But before she could speak, he interrupted.
“But Charlotte, I’m way too old for you. We both know that. And this … this awkwardness. It sucks. I like you too much to give up this good working relationship we have together.”
Charlotte’s arms and legs suddenly felt prickly, as if her body was going numb. Her mouth couldn’t decide if it should smile or frown, but she finally got control and gave him a forced quirk of her lips. So he’d decided to do what was best. While she’d had the same thoughts, why did she suddenly feel sad that he’d voiced his concerns out loud?
“I understand. You’re completely right. You’re my favorite person to work with. So … yeah, we should not … uh, mess that up at all.”
Damn it, she could hear the tears in her voice, and the look in his eyes told her he did, too.
“Charlotte…”
She held up a hand. “Oh my gosh, Dean. It’s fine. I’m grateful that we’re close enough to be honest with each other. I’ll be in touch, okay?”
She turned and left the building as fast as she could.