Page 23 of Love Is Brewing

He wanted to think that maybe he ruffled her feathers a bit.

“Been there and done that,” he said. “Trying to make it on my own and always knowing that I’m being watched.”

She grinned. “Looks to me like you’re doing well,” she said. “Mason is Ben’s best friend. Ben has worked for Mason since he graduated from college. They are pretty particular about anything with their business. I’m not sure they’ve ever done anything like this. Not that I pay too much attention. I don’t drink a lot of beer.”

“Oh, my heart,” Elias said. “You can’t say that around me.”

She burst out laughing. “Ben said those exact words to his fiancée when she said she didn’t like beer. I didn’t say I didn’t like it. Just that I don’t drink a lot of it.”

He smirked. “Good to hear. I bet I’ve got something you’d like. And since we are collaborating with Fierce, I don’t even think your brother would consider you a traitor.”

“He wouldn’t,” she said. “I’ll have to tell my brother I’m having dinner with you.”

Melanie returned with their drinks and asked for their orders.

He’d been here enough, he just got a steak and baked potato. It’d be fast. Phoebe got the same.

“No worries,” he said. “What is it you are going to tell him? That you slid into my truck, ran into me at the post office, then stole my parking spot? All in two days' time? Some might think that is a sign from above. I know my mother sure the hell would.”

Phoebe laughed. “There was no damage to your truck. You even admitted it. But I will compensate you in the form of dinner tonight for letting me off the hook so easily.”

He didn’t want that.

Didn’t want this to be the only time they talked.

“Isn’t that a legal conflict or something? Or maybe it’s your way of saying that we agreed to that settlement and I can’t come back for more if I find another scratch on my truck?”

Her smile dropped and what he thought was a joke most likely didn’t appear one.

“I wouldn’t do that,” she said.

“I’m kidding,” he said, reaching his hand over to touch hers. “Relax. It’s a joke. Nothing more than that. But you know, we could keep the negotiations open for future talks.”

She laughed this time and her hand relaxed under his on the table.

“Do you have a law degree or something? You’re thinking like an attorney.”

“No,” he said. “Just that I’ve got a lawyer in the family and let’s say he and my other siblings are always watching. It’s annoying.”

“Yet you moved to a town where it seems you’re still watched by people who aren’t even family?”

“Shocking, isn’t it?” he asked.

“I guess we’ve got that in common,” she said. “Now I just need to prove I can do it.”

“I know that feeling well,” he said.

8

CHAIN OF EVENTS

“I’ve got it,” Phoebe said when the bill was placed down an hour later.

Elias reached for it just as quickly and she slapped his hand and then was appalled she’d done it.

He dropped his hand away as if it actually hurt when she knew it didn’t.

“Now you’re worse than my mother doing that.”

---