Page 3 of Blizzards and Brews

Dustin slid his plate closer to me, turning to ask Adam a question and blocking the view of his plate while I slid the dastardly things onto his plate. It was a fine-tuned dance we’d perfected over the years. One Ollie knew perfectly well to keephis pouty lips closed about unless he wanted me to revoke his movie night privileges.

As soon as I was done I brushed my hand against Dustin’s hip, letting him know I was finished. He leant into my touch for a moment and I had to force myself to turn away and back to my food. I really was famished, tonight had been one hell of a busy night.

“If business keeps on like it is we’re going to have a massive turn out for our Hoppy Holiday Brews launch,” I said, excitement filling me despite my exhaustion.

I lived and breathed Holiday Brews, the name of our local brewery that all four of us had poured so much into.

We’d been talking about launching our own set of seasonal brews that weren’t just available on tap at our bar, but packaged and distributed throughout the state. It would be the absolute next level for us and we were working diligently toward it this winter with our Hoppy Holiday Brews Bash.

“We need to pick a firm date to have ready to go for that consultant Janet is hooking us up with,” Adam said. “Linds, did you figure out what weekend Jason is taking you to meet his parents or did you finally come to your senses?”

I shot a glare at Adam, as my stomach dropped.

I couldn’t let them know the full truth of what happened, no doubt they’d ride in and use it as a perfect opportunity to try and convince me to officially join their pack again.

To give them hope, to give myself hope, would be cruel.

“I’m shocked with your lack of dates considering how charming you are,” I told him with an eye roll. “But I’ll have you know that isn’t going to be a problem anymore. Choose whichever day you think works best. The only obligation I have is helping Claire and Autumn out with the items for the pie sale.”

As I turned back to my food to pick up another wing I deliberately ignored just how quiet it got.

“What do you mean it isn’t going to be a problem?” Ollie asked softly. “Is everything okay?”

“When am I not okay, Roly Poly Olly?” I said, matching his tone and making sure not to worry him. “It’s not a problem because Jason is long gone. I doubt I’ll ever see him again and that’s fine by me.”

I should have known dating someone with the same name as a serial killer who wore a bloody hockey mask was a bad idea. But in my defense, he was definitely hot behind the mask and helped stave off the loneliness. If only I could have seen his deception coming.

If I did see him again I was going to make him rue the fucking day he set his sights on me.

The looks the guys exchanged didn’t go unnoticed by me but I chose not to call them out this once, refusing to make a big deal about the situation then.

“We’ll do it the Saturday night of the winter festival then,” Adam said after a while. “We’ll get a ton of traffic that evening.”

“The tourist season will be here in full swing, too,” Dustin pointed out before polishing off his plate.

A yawn slipped through my mouth and my body urged me to call it a night.

“I can take care of your plate, buttercup,” Ollie said. “We’re about finished here anyways, why don’t you go home and get some rest?”

“I’ll walk you out to your car,” Adam piped in. “Just let me grab your coat and purse.”

Dustin grabbed my hand, his blue eyes looking into mine questioningly. He knew me on a different level than the other two, and for a moment, I swore he could see through my entire façade.

“Don’t forget it’s your turn to pick the game for family dinner on Sunday,” he said after a moment. “Mom’s requested the onewith the colored shapes she kicked our asses in last month. She’s even bribing you with your favorite dinner.”

Fuck yes. She was a woman after my own heart. “I’ll give her a call tomorrow so we can plot your demise.”

As a joyous laugh fell from his lips I pulled him into a hug before doing the same with Ollie, who nuzzled his head against mine.

That sly, sweet man thought I didn’t realize he was scent-marking me. Something I’d never admit because of how damn comforting it was.

As Adam walked me to the door, I knew I had almost managed to survive the night scott free. But as he opened the door to my car and turned those steely-blue eyes on me, I felt my breath catch in my chest.

He leaned closer, using his large, muscular frame to cage me. His caramel and coffee scent grew thicker and more potent the closer he got.

“Drive safe and text me when you get home, Linds.” Leaning even closer, his lips brushed the shell of my ear. “And don’t think you got away with not eating your vegetables, firefly. You’ll be paying for it sooner or later.”

A shiver racked my body at the promise in his words, my core aching for more. As I slid into my car and watched the alpha close my door with care, it was clear to see that I wouldn’t be able to ignore the truth for much longer.

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