Page 43 of Pitcher Perfect

Ethan:ooh that’s hot. Smart and adventurous

Austin:lol I don’t think she plans on moving back to the US anytime soon

Ty:what else do you know about your in-laws?

Austin:[middle finger emoji]

CHAPTER14

AUSTIN

“Hey, Aus?”

I looked up and found Ethan standing in the doorway to the brewing area. I paused scribbling some notes about how the beers were progressing. “What’s up?”

“Can you help me with a few things up front before we open? We were so busy yesterday that I fell behind on some stuff.”

“No problem. I’m between things.” I put the notebook back with the others and followed Ethan out front.

I cleaned and replenished the stock in our retail coolers while Ethan did some food prep in the kitchen. When it hit noon, I walked over to unlock the door as Ethan stocked some clean glasses under the bar. Before I could reach the bar again, the door chimed.

“Good morning, gentlemen,” Mabel greeted, no growler in sight.

Immediately, I knew she was there on chamber business. Ethan and I glanced at each other.

“Morning, Mabel. What can we do for you?”

She hoisted her tote bag with the Dahlia Springs logo up her shoulder. It looked like it weighed as much as the tiny woman. Though she was about twice our age, she would probably outlive both of us.

“I’m here on behalf of the Dahlia Springs Chamber of Commerce.”

Shocking.

“And we have a new initiative to get more businesses involved and encourage our younger members to be more active. Assuming the chamber is still theonlyorganization in town for business owners.” She pursed her coral-painted lips.

I miraculously managed to suppress an eye roll. The woman was obsessed with the “rogue group created to undermine the chamber,” in other words, the guys and another half dozen or so queer business owners who got together monthly to drink and chat.Yeah. Super subversive coup we’re organizing.Mabel had made it her life goal to infiltrate the enemy camp. We just wanted to hang out without having to network with awkward small talk or do icebreakers.

To be fair, I could understand her feeling a bit threatened, but there wasn’t actually a threat there. All the members of our little informal hangout were also paid chamber members. The most active chamber members skewed older, but more and more millennials were opening businesses in the area. With how busy the guys and I were, I couldn’t imagine us having the time to get more involved, let alone if we were business owners with kids in the house or partners. I was beginning to understand how the older members might have more time to dedicate.

Ethan would never be anything but polite to Mabel, which I knew was because he still felt like an outsider, whether or not he admitted it. He’d had some rough shit in his childhood, too, which was probably why we’d originally bonded so immediately. Lost souls and all that.

Fortunately, I had the benefit of being a local. “All right, Mabel. Cut to the chase. What are you asking us for?”

She looked shocked for a moment and pressed her open hand to her chest but seemed to recognize we weren’t falling for the innocent act. She narrowed her eyes then sighed. “We need more people for our membership committee, and I thought it would be a great promotion for the brewery if one of you young men joined. We would appreciate your insight into how we can better recruit and retain our more junior business owners in town.”

I didn’t have time for that, and I couldn’t imagine the other three guys did either. “I’m not sure any of us have time to spare for an ongoing commitment,” I said carefully. “Is there anything else? Something more finite?” Hell, I would dig into my savings account and donate if it got her off our backs for a bit.

The way she smiled made me feel like prey. “Actually, there is. We’re planning an open house event and will invite all the business owners in the county. Hosted bar, but unfortunately, we don’t have a budget for the hosting.”

“And you’re looking for donations?”

She knew she had me. “Exactly! It would be so wonderful if you all would be able to donate some of your delicious beer and serve it.”

“And serve it? Is this during our business hours? Because we couldn’t close for that, but I’m sure we could donate drinks,” Ethan said carefully.

Her eyes brightened like she’d just been handed a million-dollar check. “You’re brilliant, Ethan!”

Not so fast.An idea sparked. Mabel thrived on wheeling and dealing, and I had a deal for her. “On one condition.”

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