Page 74 of For the Promise

She threads her arm through mine. “Let’s find our table.”

We meander through the room past tables until we find ours. There are already two couples seated at the round table when we arrive.

“I’m Jaxon and this is Blossom,” I introduce as I pull out Blossom’s chair for her.

“I’m Hugo and this is my wife, Lilian,” the man on my left introduces.

“And I’m Crispin and this is Diana,” the man next to Blossom says.

Silence falls on the table. I scramble to think of polite conversation. I usually avoid small talk, but this is one of those situations where I believe Eli would tell me it’s required.

“And what do you do for work, Crispin? Diana?” Blossom asks and I blow out a breath in relief. Naturally, she knows how to handle the situation. I’m coming to find she can handle most any situation.

“I’m an investment banker,” Crispin answers.

“How did you meet Alan?”

Crispin sips on his water before answering. “Alan is preparing for when he receives a large inheritance. He asked me for advice.”

Blossom’s hands fist in her lap. I capture one and slowly peel her fingers apart before placing it on my thigh.

She gives Crispin her back. “And how do you know Alan, Hugo?”

“I’m his car dealer. And what do you do, Jaxon?”

I don’t enjoy the attention on me, but I’ll do anything to keep the subject away from Alan’s ‘inheritance’.

“I’m the lead distiller atBuccaneer’s Whiskey & Distillery.”

Crispin’s nose wrinkles. “You make whiskey? Do you work with your hands?”

“I find it fascinating,” Blossom says before I have the chance to answer. “I brew beer, which I love. But whiskey distilling is a more delicate art.”

Crispin appears appalled. “You brew beer?”

“Yep. I’m the assistant to the brewmaster atFive Fathoms Brewing.It’s a local brewery here on the island.”

Diana leans forward. “You seriously brew beer? And he distills whiskey?”

“Actually, Jaxon is being shy. He’s also part-owner of the distillery.”

Crispin’s eyes spark. “Part-owner. Let me give you my card.” He pats his chest, but before he can pull out a card, Blossom stops him.

“Thank you, but no thank you. We already have an investment banker on the island.”

He sputters but the servers arrive with our wine. Once he’s distracted, I lean close to whisper in Blossom’s ear. “You don’t have to protect me. I can handle questions from strangers.”

She shrugs. “It’s no trouble. You don’t enjoy small talk. I don’t mind. I’ll be your buffer.”

I quite enjoy having a buffer. A sexy buffer, I want to spend all night buried inside.

There’s more to Blossom than I originally thought. Yes, she’s different than me. But we have things in common as well. Maybe she’s not my complete opposite after all. And she does love Smuggler’s Hideaway. Maybe we could have a future together.

Chapter 24

“Now that was unexpected.” ~ Blossom

Blossom

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