Page 113 of Taken By Storm

“Ugh. Do you have to rub your happiness in everyone’s faces twenty-four seven?” Remi asked, though her grin told them she wasn’t really complaining.

“We do,” Kasi said solemnly. “It’s part of our relationship agreement. Showing off without restraint.”

Remi snorted. “Horny bitch.”

“Jealous cow,” Kasi countered, as both women broke into peals of laughter.

“Hey,” Theo said, walking up to their table. “Been too busy to stop over here to say hello to you two. Still sucking face nonstop, I see.”

Levi chuckled. “Apparently, we’ve got a bit of a reputation. Great crowd,” he added, changing the subject. “Looks like Sam and Jace hit it out of the park this fall with their beer lineup.”

“And then some. Abbey called first thing this morning to ask for three more kegs of the pumpkin lager. Said she drained the first one in three days,” Theo said.

“You’ve done a great job with Oktoberfest,” Kasi added. “Again.”

“And mercifully for the last time. I finally hired an events coordinator for the farm businesses. She starts in a couple weeks. I’ll be glad to hand those duties over. Party planning isn’t my thing.” Theo winked. “I’m better suited to being the life of the party instead.”

Remi hip-bumped Theo, since both their hands were filled with trays of dirty glasses. “I thought I was the life of the party.”

Remi and Theo looked at him and Kasi for the ruling on who ruled parties, but they shook their heads in unison.

“Not stepping on that hornet’s nest,” Kasi said.

“Chicken shit,” Remi said. “I’m going to take these to the kitchen, then go ask Lark to sing ‘Better Together.’ I love me some Jack Johnson.”

Remi and Theo walked to the kitchen together, still debating which of them was more fun, trying to draw several tables of patrons into the fray.

“You realize this is our one-month anniversary,” Levi pointed out.

“How has it only been one month?”

“Best month of my life,” Levi murmured, kissing the side of her head, before his attention was distracted by someone walking into the brewery. He frowned. “You still have Scottie’s ring in your pocket?”

Kasi nodded. “Yes. I told you, I want to give it back the second I see him. Don’t want to have to schedule another meeting just to return it. One and done.”

Levi had been annoyed earlier in the week when he realized Kasi was carrying the ring around everywhere with her, but once she’d explained why, he understood. “I’m not mad,” he quickly said, before nodding toward the entrance. “Just letting you know we’ve got incoming.”

Kasi turned quickly, spotting Scottie at the same time the mayor saw them.

Scottie scowled as he took in how closely Levi and Kasi were sitting. And because Levi was a jealous asshole, and he really hated the guy, he pulled her stool even closer as he draped his arm around her shoulders.

Kasi giggled, delighted by his power play. Then she gave him a stern look. “Scottie is all mine,” she warned him.

Levi shook his head, but before they could argue over who got to give the mayor the smackdown he deserved, Scottie stepped up to their table.

“You’re supposed to be having tea with my mother,” he said, scowling at Levi’s arm around her.

That was what he led with?

“I told your mother I wasn’t going,” Kasi replied.

“You said you needed to work the fruit stand, but your brother and father are.”

Obviously, Scottie had stopped by there first, intent on dragging her to tea with his bitch of a mother. Keith and Mr. Mills—who’d begun insisting that Levi call him Tim—must have told Scottie where to find Kasi. They knew how anxious she was to give back the ring.

“I never agreed to marry you, Scottie,” she replied coolly.

As much as Levi wanted to rearrange the smug mayor’s face, he was taking a lot of pleasure in watching his little bear sharpen her claws. Glancing around, he realized his brothers and Remi had noted Scottie’s arrival, and they were watching them with great interest. Actually, Remi looked like she wanted to do more than watch, but Theo had a grip on her arm, holding her back.

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