Page 56 of Brewing Up a Bad Boy

“Want some company?”

Alistair.

She didn’t open her eyes. Maybe it was the sun-induced haze that was making her think he was here. But the breeze brought with it the scent of sandalwood and citrus: his aftershave. She put her hand over her eyes as she opened them.

“So you decided to come back.” She gestured to the spot next to her.

“I did. It wasn’t as easy a decision as I expected,” he admitted. “But in the end, the chance to grow as a brewer and to see you again swayed me.”

Obvs all she heard was that he wanted to see her again. It had taken all of her willpower to not text him as soon as she landed at JFK for her connecting flight.

“I’m glad you’re here. Want to tell me about the ales and walk me back to WiCKed Sisters?” she asked.

She’d made up her mind that if he showed back up, she’d be open to getting to know him better. This time, if they fell back into bed, they had to know each other first. Not just their messed-up past. This man who wore a collared shirt buttoned to the neck, shorts and loafers without socks was vaguely familiar to her. But the wedding week had shown her how little honesty either of them had brought to their marriage. This time, with him, she wanted more.

“Sure. I’m meeting a realtor later to try to find a place. Any recs?”

“Liberty used to live in an apartment complex on the outskirts of town that was pretty nice. Merle lives in a subdivision that has some nice houses.”

“I don’t want to live near your cousin.”

“Where do you want to live?”

“With you.”

“With me? You didn’t come here for me, right? You know we’re not—”

“Stop. Yes, I know that. But I can’t pretend that I don’t want you back.”

Want you back.Of course, her mind immediately went to Take That’s “Back For Good.”

Her heart raced, and she was already picturing him living with her in the little house she’d bought for herself. Except that was her place. And this time, she was going to be smart.

“I want to be friends,” she said, blurting it out as if she had no emotional literacy and couldn’t navigate a conversation with her hot ex.

“I want that too. I’m not pushing you, moon fairy, but I’m also not going to pretend I’d be happy in the friend zone forever.”

Moon fairy.

God, this man, when he saw her, made her feel like she was one in a million. If this was going to work, she needed to feel that way all the time. To not feel lacking.

Now if only she could believe that this was real.

Why wouldn’t it be? What could he possibly need from her now that he would use her for?

Nothing.

That was what her mind said, but her wary soul and bruised heart weren’t sure. Not yet.

Sixteen

Poppy had a large greenhouse in the back of her home where she grew Camellia sinensis and other plants for blending in her teas. Alistair had been surprised to see how large it was and how much she was growing.

It was Sunday evening and he’d already worked his shift at the tavern. WiCKed Sisters closed early on Sundays, so Poppy invited him over to use her shed to brew his kombucha for the Tea Society. It would need to be bottled and sent to the participants by August 30 for judging.

“Thanks for bringing the yeast and for your knowledge. I’ve never tried fermenting alcohol before,” she admitted. “Kombucha’s not really my thing.”

“I’d never have guessed based on how hard you argued against it.” Each season they set a challenge in the Tea Society. Ali had suggested one for brewing hard kombucha while Poppy had wanted to do different iced tea blends. His kombucha had gotten the votes but she’d still argued to try to persuade the group. It seemed obvious now that she’d simply wanted to win so Ali would lose.

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