Page 4 of One Sweet Taste (Love with a Price)

Ethan looked back and forth between the two of them, confusion etched in his features as he tried to grasp the awkward situation. Before he could say anything, the front door opened again, and their brother Luke entered, followed by two men from his construction crew.

Luke had taken over their family’s construction business when their dad died a few years back, and he was leading the charge in getting Ethan’s bar ready in time for the Valentine’s Day opening.

“Hey, Linz, come meet my brother.” Ethan put a hand on Linzee’s back and led her away as she shot a final glance at Foster.

“Uh, how many siblings do you have exactly?” she asked.

“There are five of us,” Luke answered, holding out a hand to shake hers. “And I’m the oldest and wisest.”

Foster snorted as he walked over to Luke. “And the most humble.”

Luke shot him the finger on instinct before drawing his hand into a fist, his face growing red. “Uh, sorry, ma’am.”

Ethan leaned over and smacked his oldest brother on the shoulder. “Christ, between the two of you, she’s going to walk out on her first week in town.”

Linzee smiled and let out a little laugh. And damned if her laugh didn’t sound like music.

“Come on, let’s go in the kitchen, and you can show me what you have planned for finger food.” Ethan shot both his brothers annoyed glares as he led Linzee out of the room.

When Foster turned back to Luke, his oldest brother held his hands up, feigning innocence. “What? I did nothing. This has to be on you.”

When Foster scowled, Luke grinned, his dark eyes lighting with mirth. “Well, I’ll be damned. She’s been in town what? A day?”

“Screw you, Luke.”

“What, I’m not judging. She’s cute.” Luke’s eyes trailed to the kitchen where Linzee and Ethan had gone. “She’s really cute.”

Foster’s eyes shot to his brother’s face. “Hands off,” he snapped before thinking.

Luke winked at him. “Yep, that’s what I thought.”

Bastard.

Foster sighed, turning away from his brother as Luke went to help his crew carry in equipment. He began snapping pictures and told himself that it would be a bad idea to go after his brother’s employee. A very bad idea.

Chapter Five

Two days later, Linzee walked into Price B&G and marveled at the difference in the place in just the last two days. The new oak bar was the centerpiece of the room. The ornate carving on the edges of the bar was breathtaking. Luke really had done an amazing job. She set a box on top of the counter and trailed her fingers along the bar, marveling at the detail of the work.

“Hey, Linz,” Becca said, walking out of the kitchen with Ethan’s girlfriend, Tori. “Just the woman we were looking for.”

Linzee had pegged both women to be in their mid-twenties even though Tori seemed insanely mature for her age. Becca on the other hand was very obviously the baby of the Price family. Even though Becca seemed a bit spoiled at times, it was hard to hold it against her when she was one of the sweetest people Linzee had ever met.

“Me?” Linzee shrugged out of her coat. “Why were you looking for me?” She noticed Becca was holding something behind her back, but couldn’t tell what it was.

“I remembered you said you were looking for something to hang on the wall over your couch.” Becca held up the large monogram wall hanging. The loopy L seemed to be made of an ornate metal entwined with floral vines.

“Wow,” she breathed, reaching out to run her fingers lightly over the metal carving. “Becca, this is beautiful.”

“You like it?” The brunette seemed to bounce with enthusiasm. “I ordered some of these for the boutique, and I just thought they were stunning.”She handed it to Linzee.

“You have to let me pay you for this,” she said, still wondering over the beautiful decoration. Not only was it beautiful, but Linzee was overcome with emotion at the fact that the younger woman had thought of her.

Becca gave her a dramatic eye-roll. “Whatever. You’re not paying me. It’s a gift.”

Setting the wall hanging on the bar, she turned to give Becca a hug. “Thank you.”

“Yeah, Becca can be pretty sweet when she wants to be.” Tori smiled as Becca disengaged herself from Linzee and stuck her tongue out at her friend.

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