Page 12 of Some Like It Hops

Chapter Seven

Charlie

I slam the phone down, even though slamming down an iPhone doesn’t really have much impact on the person on the other end of the call, then I cringe and pick it back up, scanning the screen for any cracks.

“Prick.”

I think it’s safe to say we can addirritatingto the long list of Griffin Lane’s attributes. Ruthless, cunning, arrogant…

Hot as hell.

That man really knows how to fire me up. My blood is past the point of boiling as I pace the small living room of my condo. “Can you believe that shit, Pops?” I look at my Great Dane and raise my arms. “The nerve he has!”

Pops’ ears twitch as he watches me from his oversized bed in the corner, but that’s all the response he gives me. I roll my eyes. Men.

I stomp to the fridge and open a beer, taking a long pull and letting the carbonation burn my throat. It’s one of my more hoppy brews, and though I love it, the taste tests proved it probably won’t make it to the brewery. Luckily Dad and I bottled a bunch for our personal supply, so we could focus on the less-hoppySome Like It HopsWest Coast IPA that will be featured at the brewery.

“You really think you can make it in this industry, Ms. Harper?” I say in my best Griffin Lane impression. “Ha! Watch me!”

Pops lifts his head.

“Oh, now you want to listen.” I take another sip and plop down on the couch.

That man isinfuriating. I can’t believe I wanted to havesexwith him this afternoon. Imagine!

I groan, closing my eyes. The problem is Icanimagine it, even after finding out who he is. And even after that godawful phone call. He’s such an asshole, and here I am, way more upset than I should be. Way more affected by him than I should be.

Griffin is easily the hottest man I’ve ever seen in person. Like, ever. It shouldn’t be legal to be that good-looking, and that exterior certainly shouldn’t be wasted on such an uglyinterior. I throw my arm over my eyes and groan again. It’s a good thing I live alone, so Pops is the only one witnessing my meltdown right now.

I wish I already had the keys to the brewery so I could busy myself with work. There’s just so little to do until I can get in there, and somuchto do once I’m in.

The phone buzzes on the counter, drawing me up off the couch into the kitchen. Jo’s face flashes up from the screen, so I answer the call quickly. “He called me.”

She laughs. “Well, hello to you too.”

“Sorry. Hi.”

“What did he say?”

“Oh, basically the same shit he said to you this afternoon. Only worse.” I return to the couch and take a quick sip of beer. “He had the audacity to mansplain the fact that I’m living in a man’s world.”

Josie makes a gagging sound. “God, he’s worse than I thought.”

“Totally.”And yet… I’m more disappointed than I should be, if I’m honest with myself. “But, screw it. I’m not going to waste another thought on Griffin Lane. What happens next? When do I get the keys?”

“Easy, tiger.” Josie laughs. “We have a lot of shit to deal with before you can get the keys. The seller accepted your offer, the bank approved your loan, but with commercial property, the list of boxes to tick off is long, much longer than residential real estate, so this isn’t going to be like when you bought the condo.”

I blow out a breath of air. “All right, lay it on me.”

“Well, the bank will have people come evaluate the property. There’s an environmental inspection, land assessment, zoning, attorneys—”

My phone beeps with an incoming call, so I pull it away from my ear. My eyes widen as an 818 number flashes on the screen. It’s him. A nervous giggle bubbles up my throat. I look at Pops like somehow the dog will have some advice for me. He’s sleeping. Emotionally unavailable, as usual.

I catch myself running my hand over my hair—like Griffin can actually see me through the phone—and shake my head. I’m ridiculous. “Uh, Jo?” I interrupt her ongoing and, frankly,overwhelminganswer to my question.

“Yeah?”

“He’s calling me right now.”

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