Page 15 of Beyond the Hate

“Too late.”

“Settle down!” Lana yells and quiet descends in the room.

“What’s going on?” Chloe shouts. “What are these false pretenses?”

“My email said we need to discuss the kissing rule. And we need to. But there’s a more pressing problem. Funds.”

“Funds! What funds?” someone shouts from the back.

“Exactly. There aren’t any funds for the end of the summer dance when we announce the sexiest man of the island.”

Eli stands. “I’ll pay.”

“Typical billionaire,” I mutter under my breath. “Always showing off their wealth.”

He glances at me. Maybe I didn’t mutter as quietly as I thought.

“I meant the distillery will sponsor the dance provided our beverages are exclusive.”

I jump to my feet. “What aboutFive Fathoms Brewing?You can’t have a party on Smuggler’s Hideaway without our beer.”

“You can co-sponsor.”

“How would—

Maya tugs on my arm. “No, we can’t. We can’t afford it. The expansion intoGourmet Cornergrocery stores throughout the US will use up all of our contingency funds.”

Eli smirks. “Buccaneer’s Whiskeywill sponsor the entire event. No problem.”

I glare at him. He had to add the ‘no problem’? Supreme Jackass.

“Must be nice to be a billionaire and use your private funds for your little pet project.”

“Pet project? Are you referring to my distillery as a pet project?”

“I didn’t stutter, did I?”

“ConsideringFive Fathomscan’t afford to sponsor maybe the brewery is the pet project.”

I snort. “Pet project is an activity you engage in during your free time.” I tap my chin. “For example, a distillery you only work at when you’re not involved with your real job.”

His nostrils flare. “The distillery is my real job.”

“Dang it. I should have brought popcorn. This is the best entertainment,” Chloe mutters.

“Here.” Sophia hands her a bag of peanuts.

I grit my teeth at their act. “Can you two please behave?”

“Why?” Chloe asks as she chews her nuts. “This is fun.”

I push my glasses up my nose as I contemplate how much trouble I would be in if I smacked her. Probably a lot. After all, she is married to a police officer.

“Why don’t we put it to a vote?” the mayor asks.

“Put it to a vote?” I frown. “You’ll actually allow an event to occur on Smuggler’s Hideaway that isn’t inclusive?”

Eli chuckles. “Your definition of inclusive is wrong.”

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