Page 16 of Once Upon a Star

“What IPAs do you have on tap? Or which one would you recommend?” Ara asked as she settled into her chair.

“Your man here was having the Stone Creek. It’s one of my faves,” Jack offered.

Ara looked over at me and then at the beer before picking it up and taking a taste.

“Sure, go right ahead. I don't mind,” I teased. I actually didn’t. I liked to think that she was already comfortable enough with me that she could do something as intimate as take a sip of my drink.

“That is nice. But what else do you have?” Ara asked as she put the glass back in front of me.

“We have one from Chicago, it’s a bit hoppier but has a good finish. Or we have one from Brooklyn we just got in. I haven’t had a chance to try it so I can’t tell you how it is.”

“Let’s try the Brooklyn one. I like to stay local if I can,” Ara said.

“Coming right up,” Jack said and poured her a glass.

“And for you?” Jack asked me.

“Oh, so kind of you to notice. I’ll have what she’s having.”

“Smart man,” Jack said and filled our order.

He joined us in trying the beer and we all agreed it was better than the Stone Creek. We chatted about beers, different breweries we had visited, and where we all thought the industry was going. It was nice to talk to Jack and get to know him. I had never had a local bar and while this one wasn’t close to my place, I could see myself coming back. As nice as it was, I wanted to talk to Ara alone. It was only after we had finished our first round that it happened.

“Ah, alone at last,” I said when Jack walked away.

Ara lifted her glass and eyed me over it. “Jack’s a nice guy. I was enjoying the conversation.”

“I was too, and I would gladly come back and have a beer or two. But I didn’t come here to make new friends.”

“You didn’t. I thought you were trying to be friends with me.”

“We were already friends,” I countered.

“Friends? Is that what you would call us?” She eyed me as she took a sip of her beer.

I leaned forward and got into her space. “Would you like me to call us something else?” I asked.

Her eyes got big and she looked away. I could tell immediately it was too much too soon, so I tried a different approach. “This isn’t an insult, and I have a feeling no matter what I say, this will come out wrong. But I never thought you would be a beer drinker.”

“I’m not. Well, not all the time. But when I’m in an Irish bar, I think the situation calls for it. Plus, they aren’t always known for their excellent wine selection.”

“Are you saying you need an excellent wine collection?”

“Not necessarily when I go out drinking. I have a rather impressive one at my apartment.”

“Really? Is that an invitation to see it?” I teased.

“No,” she said and leaned away from me.

“Fair enough.” I put my hands up in mock surrender. “You, however, are welcome to check out my collection anytime you want. I brought a few bottles with me when I moved here. I would be curious what you think.”

“Are they all California wines?” she taunted.

“Some. I’ve done some tasting through the years. I found out I’m not a fan of the bigger wineries. I prefer the ones in some random town along the coast or where it’s just the family making the wines and has been for generations. I found a couple like that when I was in St. Emilion a few years back.”

“You’ve been to St. Emilion?” Ara asked, clearly impressed I had been to the small region in France.

“Yes. Have you?” I immediately thought about what it would be like to walk the vineyards and drive the countryside with Ara by my side.