Page 109 of The Barkeep and the Bro

“We could try it out. As we’re getting busier, it could help with serving people faster. When people have to wait forever for a drink, that’s when they get annoyed and leave.”

He nodded as he listened, his lips pouting as he inhaled all the information. Mitch was a sexy thinker, like that Atlas guy.

“And…” I leaned in, snaking my arm around his shoulders, putting on my boyfriend hat for a second. “I’ve been thinking…”

“Yes?” Mitch turned to me, those dark eyes penetrating me with their natural bolt of hotness.

“Have you thought about expansion?”

It was not the question he thought I was going to ask. Did he miss my past fun fratboy self?

“There’s an empty space over in Hudsonville.”

“A second Stone’s Throw?”

I brought my shoulders to my ears. Was it the craziest idea in the world?

“I don’t want to turn my bar into McDonald’s.”

“Opening a second location isn’t turning us into McDonald’s. We’re doing really well. We could strike while the iron is hot. This could be a great opportunity. After a hundred million years of running the same bar, maybe it’s time to shake things up.”

He rolled his eyes at my joke, but I could tell the wheels were already turning in his head. I didn’t want to diminish the appeal of Stone’s Throw. It had small-town charm; Mitch had built it into something special. We would maintain that spirit. That beautiful spirit of Stone’s Throw could spread to other towns, bringing joy to others.

Kicking ass in my job—finally finding something I was passionate about and doing it with the man I loved—had poured gasoline on my fire of ambition. With Mitch behind me, I realized I was capable of incredible things, and that was the most powerful feeling in the world.

“I don’t need an answer now. Think about it.”

“We’ll talk about it later,” he said.

“Okay.”

“Because we’re at a wedding.”

“I’m aware.”

That wasn’t a no. Hopefully, he saw my excitement. It was practically seeping out of my pores. I turned back to face the altar.

“Where in Hudsonville is this space?” Mitch asked me moments later. “Is it in their downtown or off the highway?”

My lips perked into a smile. Success.

Before I could answer, another couple joined our row with a toddler in tow. The dad holding the baby had a shaved head and tattoos creeping out of his collar up his neck, while the other dad seemed more straightlaced. They made a sexy couple.

And that toddler was a cutie pie.

“You made it.” Mitch jumped up and wrapped the non-baby-holding father in a tight hug. “We didn’t know if you were coming.”

“We caught the red-eye, which was not easy with a two-year-old. But we weren’t going to miss this.”

“You remember my boyfriend, Charlie?”

“It’s so great to see you guys again.” I gave all of them hugs as if we’d known each other for years. Mitch’s friends felt like my family. “How’s married life?”

“Not much different,” Shane admitted. He and Buzz had gotten married over the summer, right after Mitch and I had officially gotten together. Buzz had insisted on keeping it simple. We flew out to Seattle, and Buzz and Shane had rented out a small bistro for the ceremony. My heart swelled watching them say their vows and kiss. I found myself getting mushy at all weddings now, maybe because I wondered if there’d be one in my future.

“Apologies in advance if Anne acts up. She’s officially in her terrible twos.” Buzz motioned for Shane to move down, and they sat at the end of the aisle.

Mr. Tatted Hunk and Mr. Clean Cut. It worked, though. They gazed at each other and their daughter, bursting with love. And I supposed people looked at Mitch and me as an odd couple, but to me, it made the most perfect sense.

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