Lucky 33 (Love in the District #2)

14. Bean Barrels

CHAPTER 14

BEAN BARRELS

L aura made good on her deal to get the couples together quickly. Within the week, she planned a day of fun for them at the National Harbor in Maryland, where they would start off with snacks and friendly competition at Top Golf and then head over to the Movies on the Potomac event, where there would be an outdoor screening of the sisters’ favorite movie growing up Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.

Amy had the largest car of the group, so she and Drew swung by Jake’s Georgetown condo to pick him and Laura up.

“Ames!” Jake called out, waving to her as he shouldered four camping chairs. “I tried to talk Laura into us taking the Water Taxi there instead, but she vetoed. Something about not wanting to be finely misted by the Potomac’s stanky water. Such a buzzkill."

“And you must be Drew,” Jake said from the rear of Amy’s SUV as he loaded the chairs. “Thank goodness for some testosterone to counter these Mansfield sisters.”

“No comment. I’m just glad to be included,” Drew laughed.

“You are cute,” Jake teased as he climbed in the back seat and leaned forward to get a good look at Drew.

“Jake, leave the man alone,” Laura scolded, having finally materialized by the car. “I will not be responsible for scaring him off.”

“Nothing could possibly do that,” Drew confirmed.

“Are you done?” Amy asked, giving Jake and Laura a look in the rearview mirror.

“Yes, Mom,” Jake said.

Amy found that Drew’s athletic skills extended beyond the basketball court. He was currently in the lead at Top Golf.

“I didn’t know you were a golfer,” Amy said, stroking his shoulder admiringly as she sat down after his turn.

“I believe the real golfers would refer to me as a ‘driving range pro,’” Drew said humbly. “My interest in golf ends at whacking balls as hard as possible in a general direction. This is all luck. However, I’m pretty impressive on the mini golf course.”

“I’d give anything for half of your driving skills,” Jake said, frustrated by his last hit. “I spend too much time on the golf course with clients to be as bad as I am.”

“We all know that those days on the course are all about schmoozing and drinking. You’re so good at both of those,” Laura replied.

“You’re pretty great too, babe,” Jake said, kissing her.

“Cut it out. Just because you’re engaged now doesn’t mean you can be gross,” Amy said, treating Laura’s head as a bullseye for her pretzel bite.

“Don’t waste food, Amy,” Drew chided her.

The couples made it through three full games before they needed to get over to the movie.

“I’m embarrassed to say I’m sore from that,” Drew admitted. The others nodded shamefully in agreement.

“We’re getting old, buddy,” Jake said in a shaky old man voice. “Ladies, after we park, you two secure us some prime spots for the movie, and Drew and I will get some carry out. Any requests? ”

“Burgers,” the sisters replied in unison.

Jake gave a thumbs up.

Once they were alone, Amy asked Laura if she still had a good feeling about Drew. She didn’t know why it was so important to have her sister’s approval but comforted to have it.

“He’s even better than he was the first night at dinner. Jake adores him.”

“Jake likes everyone,” Amy said exasperatedly. Jake’s a human golden retriever, so that tells me nothing.

“So what? That includes Drew now. They are getting along well.”

Amy agreed. This is the dream—a great guy for me to be with who also wants to spend time with my growing family.

“He’s fitting right in. Mom and Dad will love him, too. You’ve done well, Ames.” It was always a little spooky when Laura read her thoughts.

Before long, the guys were back with burgers and fries. They settled in for the movie.

“I remember the first time I saw this movie. My dad had gone to the Blockbuster about 20 miles away to pick up some movies for the weekend, and this was my only request,” Drew said fondly.

“I’m sorry, did you say he went to a Blockbuster that was 20 miles away?” Laura asked.

“Yep, that was the closest one. I’m from a little map-dot town in North Carolina. If you wanted anything from a chain, whether store or restaurant, you had to drive at least 20 miles.”

“I like the idea of that,” Amy said sweetly.

“You’re a dirty liar,” Drew laughed. “No one likes that. My family has been in that town for generations as farmers and small business owners like you, Amy. That’s why I admire your entrepreneurship so much. That was a way of life in my family. My parents own a dry goods store.”

“This is going to sound ignorant, but when I think of dried goods, I think of barrels of beans. What does it actually mean?” Jake asked.

“You’re not far off, city boy. Once upon a time, it meant that they sold groceries and items that were literally dry, like containing no liquid. So, yes, beans and other grocery items like sugar, flour, coffee, and clothes. Now, it’s more like a general store. We pushed the envelope by selling liquids. It was controversial,” Drew teased.

“So, no interest in the family business?” Laura asked.

“None. I may be in the dry field of academia, but it beats bean barrels.”

Amy admired how easily Drew fit in with people. He had shown his social skills at Brit’s bachelorette party and was getting along with her sister and Jake like he’d always been there. She felt fortunate to have found someone who fit right into her life.

Amy was fiercely independent and not particularly willing to give that up, but Drew’s presence didn’t bother her. Is this a sign that he's right for me? She reached over for his hand, interlacing their fingers. She wished every night could be like this one.