She smiled at me and took a sip of her amber ale. It was a stunning beer backyard with tables scattered round in random spots, making me assume that folks had moved them for their very own functions and the institution didn’t care. There was music taking part in softly within the background that added to the straightforward, relaxed vibe with out being overbearing. They didn’t have their very own meals however had two meals vehicles sitting exterior if individuals wished to order something. Natalie had gone to the Mexican place and gotten lobster nachos whereas I had ordered a pulled pork sandwich.

“And does the scenario name for it right here?” she requested.

“We’re at a brewery that’s in stumbling distance to our lodge. I believe it extra that requires it. Do you not prefer to drink?”

“There are few issues that I don’t love to do. I get pleasure from consuming amongst many different vices.”

I eyed her slowly as I took a drink of my IPA. I wasn’t positive if she was conscious of the double which means in her phrases however when she raised her eyebrows at me, I knew she did. “Good to know. What do you prefer to drink?”

“Moonshine,” she mentioned and I laughed.

“After all, you’ll. How am I not shocked you want to the drink that’s in all probability unlawful.”

“It isn’t unlawful however I’m unsure how authorized it’s both. Have you ever ever tried it?”

“No, however I didn’t know I may. How did you even discover it? Do you’ve gotten a supplier or one thing?”

“It isn’t a drug, however sure, I do know somebody. He and his household make it of their yard in North Carolina and he comes out to California a couple of instances a 12 months to go to buddies and do a supply.”

“I believe that is likely to be unlawful,” I acknowledged.

“Not my drawback. I’m not the one doing it. He technically doesn’t cost me for it, extra like he asks for a donation to his charity.”

“The charity of him?”

“Precisely,” Natalie mentioned and completed her beer.

“I get the impression you’ve met some attention-grabbing individuals in your travels. Do you be in contact with any of them?” I requested.

“Is dependent upon the particular person and the way it all works out. Some I need to be in contact with, some need to be in contact with me. I all the time be sure that they’re doing it as a result of they need to be buddies with me, not as a result of they will get one thing out of me.”

“Does that occur typically?”

I had by no means thought of the way it was for Natalie being a semi-famous particular person. We hadn’t gotten acknowledged whereas we had been in your journey however I knew there have been instances when she was engaged on a present and other people would come as much as her. I assumed it could be one thing she would love. I by no means stopped to consider the way it would possibly trouble her that folks wished one thing from her.

“Extra typically than it ought to however not as typically as you’ll assume. Does that make sense?” She requested and thanked the girl who delivered her meals and one other beer to her. She sat again as if she was ready for my meals to reach however I motioned for her to go forward and she or he did.

“It shouldn’t occur in any respect however in fact it’s going to as a result of individuals will do this. I’m sorry it’s important to even take care of individuals anticipating one thing from you due to who you might be,” I mentioned.

“There are specific issues it’s important to settle for and perceive as being part of the job. There are perks that I’ve. I get pleasure from these as I’m positive everybody has with their job. Consequently, there are some issues which might be extra annoying, being requested for favors or to offer my time once I’m not working is one in every of them. I perceive it.”

“Does it ever trouble you? Is it ever an excessive amount of?”

“Typically. You’re taking the nice with the dangerous. I’ve traveled the nation, seen probably the most superb issues, and had the time of my life. Who wouldn’t be completely satisfied having finished that?”

“True, and are you?” I requested.

“I used to be, I believe I might be once more. It’s completely different and arduous to think about doing the present with out Kevin. However nothing stays the identical. I knew that, I assumed I understood it, however I’ve come to understand in the previous couple of weeks I didn’t have any clue.”

“What do you imply by that?” I requested as I leaned again as my meals arrived.

“If somebody would have informed me a month in the past that you simply and I’d not solely be sitting and having dinner collectively however that we might be having an excellent time and shifting in direction of being buddies, I’d have mentioned they had been loopy.”

I laughed and took a chunk of my sandwich. It was meaty and filled with taste. Once I may, I mentioned, “That’s true. It’s the very last thing that I’d have ever thought too. However is that what we’re? Are we buddies?”

It was a loaded query and I knew it however one which I wanted to ask. I wished to be buddies along with her. I loved the friendship we had began and I wished it to develop, however I wished greater than only a friendship. I believe she did too.

“I want to assume we’re. I like spending time with you. I by no means thought I’d say that however I’ve seen a special aspect or sides of you these previous couple of days.”

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