Page 16 of Beyond the Hate

Nova giggles. “Oh no, he didn’t.”

I cross my arms over my chest and meet his gaze. “Inclusive is defined as including all the items normally expected. ConsideringFive Fathomsbeers are served at every bar and restaurant on Smuggler’s Hideawayandthe beers have been available at every festival on the island since our establishment, I do believe excludingFive Fathomsis not being inclusive.”

“Here! Here!” Chloe lifts her hands in the air and peanuts rain down on her.

“I’m merely trying to help the island,” Eli claims.

I raise an eyebrow. “Help the island or help your distillery?”

“I’m sorry, Paisley,” Lana says before Eli can respond. “But without sponsorship of some sort, there aren’t enough funds to proceed with the end of summer party. Considering the party brings in a ton of tourists, I don’t want to cancel it.”

“I don’t understand why there aren’t enough funds. Smuggler’s Hideaway hosts numerous festivals. Where did the proceeds from these events go?”

Lana frowns. “To road construction after this past winter’s unexpected snowstorm.”

Dang it. I forgot about the snowstorm. I usually don’t forget anything. But my brain goes on the fritz whenever I’m around Eli.

“I understand,” I mutter and sit down.

Lana claps. “Excellent. The party will be sponsored byBuccaneer’s Distilleryand Paisley will join the party committee to help.”

Wait. What?

I spring to my feet. “I didn’t agree to join the committee.”

Lana smirks. “You got volunteered.”

“Fine,” I grumble since it’s impossible to fight Lana once her mind’s made up. The mayor is a force to be reckoned with. Just ask her three ex-husbands.

“It’s good you know when you’re defeated,” Eli says.

Asshole. He couldn’t quietly accept his win and let it be? He has to remind everyone I’m the loser? Did I say asshole? I meant Grade A Asshole.

“I am never defeated. This is merely a setback.”

He chuckles. “Whatever you need to tell yourself to sleep at night.”

Sleep? I won’t be sleeping at all until I devise the perfect plan to prank Eli. I could ask Chloe for help. She’s a master pranker. But I want to do this one all on my own.

Eli will feel my wrath.

Chapter 6

“I’m not jealous of my brother. I have indigestion is all.” ~ Eli

Eli

I glance up when Zane strolls into my office. “Pack it up. It’s time to party.”

I frown at him. “It’s four o’clock.”

“Exactly. We’re late.”

“Late? I don’t have anything on my agenda.” I reach for my phone but he snatches it away.

“Nope. No checking your phone. In fact,” he stuffs my phone in his back pocket, “let’s go without phones for an hour.”

I glare at him. “I need my phone.”

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