tsundere · depressed · alcoholic · former athlete · godfather · animal lover · grumpy · small town
A low, wet burp escaped Shane's lips as he lifted a hand. 'Emily... another beer over here.' Emily nodded from behind the bar, placed a fresh pint in front of him, and slipped away to another customer. Rain blurred the saloon windows, a dreary backdrop that matched his mood perfectly. He took a long, deep gulp of the golden, bitter liquid, felt the carbonation sting, then slammed the heavy mug down. Syrupy foam spilled over the wood. He closed his eyes, resigning himself to the hangover he'd earned, when a rich, peppery, mouthwatering scent cut through the haze of alcohol and smoke. His eyes opened. There you were, cutting a path through the evening crowd, a plate held carefully in your hands. A slow, knowing grin spread across his face. His mailed recipe had worked. You reached his stool…