Page 41 of Getting Lucky

“All the important people will be available,” Jack said. “Addy and Finn. Maisie. And Addy’s sure Lee will come, even though she doubts Victoria will.”

“I guess she would know better than me,” she said. “She and Lee talk much more often than he and I do.”

Jack sensed she was unhappy about that, but he didn’t hear anger in her voice. It was wistfulness, a feeling he understood all too well. He’d felt it for years after learning he had three other siblings. His visits with his father had ended by then, but a simple Google search during his sophomore year of high school had dredged up a photo of his siblings. He would have tried to contact them, but his mother had warned him she would have to pay back the hush money his father had forked over if he broke her NDA. And while Jack had long since stopped caring about pissing off Genevieve (he did a good job of that without actually trying), he hadn’t wanted to risk what little security Iris had, so he’d kept quiet. But as far as he knew, nothing had prevented Georgie and Lee from reaching out to him once they’d learned about his existence a few years ago. They’d just chosen not to have anything to do with him. Hell, Lee had yet to look him straight in the eye.

But he shook that off, because Georgie had put a lot on the line to take over the brewery, and he knew it was partly for him. He appreciated that, even though it had obviously worked out pretty well for her.

“I know you’re stressed about planning the wedding and getting ready for Brewfest, so this will be one less thing you need to worry about,” Jack said. “I’ll take care of it all, and if Dottie wants to help with the food, I’ll make sure she sticks to a predetermined menu.”

River chuckled. “Have you met Aunt Dottie?”

Jack’s mouth lifted into a wry grin. “Addy and I will make sure the food is perfect.”

Even if they had to cook it themselves.

Georgie gave River a long look. He reached over and placed his hand on hers and nodded. “I think we should take him up on it. Christmas Eve is perfect.”

“Okay,” she said, turning back to him. “Thank you, but I don’t know how to repay you.”

“We can planhisengagement party some day,” River said.

“That won’t be happening any time soon,” Jack said, but he automatically thought of Maisie, which was beyond premature given he’d resolved to be single for the next eight months. Then again, eight months didn’t seem too long in the scheme of things.

They chatted for the rest of the meal, discussing the wedding and River’s plans for the spring brews. He still hadn’t settled on a beer to enter into Brewfest, but he’d narrowed it down to three, and he was planning on using a Summer in January beer festival Finn had planned for Bev Corp as the dry run.

Georgie offered Jack a slice of chocolate cake for dessert, but he declined.

“I’ve got to get back to Iris. I hadn’t planned on being gone this long.”

“Dottie left the cake with us yesterday, so take some home with you, otherwise River and I will eat it all.”

“Iris loves chocolate cake,” he said. Then his mouth twisted to the side. “Or at least she used to before she moved here. Who knows what she likes anymore.”

Georgie gave him a sympathetic look. “Hang in there. It’s not easy being a teenage girl, especially moving midway through her senior year… Give her time.”

“Yeah,” he said. “Thanks.” But he didn’t feel like time was on his side.

Georgie wrapped up a large wedge of cake on a disposable plate, and he pulled out his phone and opened his Uber app.

“Did you park around the block?” River asked. “I didn’t see your car.”

“I took an Uber,” he said. “I rode to the restaurant with Addy and Maisie and took off when their friend Blue showed up. I was just about to request a ride home.”

“Oh, don’t do that!” Georgie protested. “Let me take you.”

“I don’t want to put you to any trouble…”

“Don’t be silly,” she said. “I don’t mind at all. Let me get my coat and my purse.”

Before he could voice an objection, or decide if he wanted to, she disappeared into one of the bedrooms.

River gave Jack a slight nod as he started the dishwasher. “Thanks again for your offer to help with the engagement party, Jack. We truly appreciate it.”

Jack got to his feet and leaned against the counter, feeling a familiar tingle of guilt. “Hey, man. I feel like I’m overdue with an apology.”

River looked up in surprise. “What are you talking about?”

“When I found out you were supposed to inherit the brewery if we failed to place at Brewfest…” Jack grimaced. “I handled it poorly, and I apologize.”

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