Page 8 of Why Not Us?

I consider my brother for a moment. He really wants this deal. He believes it’ll be good for business. He hasn’t steered us wrong before. “I’ll sign. I’ll need to go over a few things to get you the numbers. And I won’t be doing that until Monday.”

Derek holds up his hands. “Absolutely. Your taproom is closed on Mondays, so I’ll come by after work Tuesday. Have a couple drinks. We can finish up our business then.”

I nod, standing. Everyone else stands as well. After a round of handshakes, we file out of the meeting room. I stop in the lounge where Dani is sitting on a couch, her back to me. A corgi sits on the couch with her, his head in her lap as she pets him and talks to Adalie about something. Lis is watching them, her hands wrapped around a steaming mug. Spencer brushes past me, leaning down to kiss her.

Adalie sees me then, her eyes locking with mine. For a brief second, they drop a fraction, and I realize she just looked at my mouth. Is she imagining kissing me? Wondering how my lips would feel pressed against hers? How my tongue would feel when I invade her mouth? Or is it just me who’s wondering?

Then she looks away, back at Dani.

“Your dad and uncle are here. I think it’s time for you to go.”

Dani stands, glancing at me over her shoulder before turning back to Adalie.

“I had a lot of fun tonight. Thank you for teaching me.”

Adalie’s eyes brighten and she clasps her hands together in front of her. “Oh, Dani. It was my absolute pleasure. You were a delight to have. In fact, you were so amazing, you gave me an idea for future paint nights.”

“I did?”

“Yes. If the rest of them go well over the next few weeks, we’ve talked about what we want to do to expand them going forward. Because you were so awesome, I was thinking about having an earlier class specifically for younger people to join. I figure this is a little late for you.”

Dani nods solemnly. “It is past my bedtime. But Dad said it was okay.”

“I have another couple of friends who are a bit older than you, but not quite adults yet. Having an earlier event would be good for them as well, since they’re still in high school.”

“You’re thinking of Lacey and Tanner’s niece, what was her name?” Derek asks as he comes into the lounge, pulling on a jacket.

“Juliet,” Vic answers. She’s also come in, making the space a little crowded.

“They had a lot of fun at the cooking night a few weeks ago,” Adalie says.

“Would you be up to two events a night?” Derek asks next.

“Sure. It’s just once a week.”

Lis nods next. “I’d be down. These have been fun.”

“We’ll talk about it at the quarterly wrap up,” Vic says. “We’re the last ones here. Everyone go home.”

We start toward the door as Derek offers a ride home to Vic and Adalie. Lis is holding the dog’s leash and Dani bends to give him one more head scratch before I lead her to the car. As we’re driving home, she doesn’t stop talking about Adalie, her new favourite person.

Taylor doesn’t interrupt her so I get a twenty-minute play-by-play of everything Adalie said to Dani tonight. She had been exceptionally nice to my daughter, and I can’t help but admit, she’s a lot more intriguing than is probably safe.

Chapter 4

Adalie

“Come with me tonight,” Derek says as he strolls into my office.

I’m just shutting down my computer for the day, about to head home, but he sits in the chair on the other side of my desk like he’s in no hurry to go anywhere.

“Come with you where?” I ask.

“Hops Scotch. I’m getting the finalized contract.”

As soon as he says the name of the place, an image of stormy grey eyes, broad shoulders, and slicked back hair forms in my mind. I swallow and focus again on Derek, who is still speaking.

“Figured I’d stay for a couple beers but Ava is doing a shoot until later. She’s going to meet me there, but I want someone to come with me now. Plus, it’s your birthday. I know you said you wanted to chill, and we’re going to that play tomorrow and the movie on Thursday, but you shouldn’t be alone on your birthday.”

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