Page 8 of Some Like It Hops

She narrows her gaze. “What makes you think my client will sell?”

“Did you hear my offer?”

She scoffs. “I did. And I ask you, what makes you think my client will sell?”

“Money.”

“And if they’re as passionate about this property as you are?”

“Oh, I doubt that.” I chuckle. “Everyonehas a price, Ms. Gallagher. I just need to know what that dollar amount is so we can move forward.”

She leans back, sipping on her blonde and watching me with narrowed eyes over the rim of her glass, assessing me. If I was someone who could be intimidated, I’d probably squirm beneath her hawk-like eyes. Instead, I lean back and stretch my arms out across the back of the couch, holding her gaze.

Finally, she sets her pint glass down on the table between us. “You’re used to getting what you want.”

I shrug one shoulder.

Her nostrils flare as she inhales, then her lips pull into a devious grin. “Okay, Mr.Everybody Has A Price. You’re on.” She looks over at the bar again, then pulls a business card out of her purse and places it on the table. With her fingertips, she pushes it toward me. “My client’s name is Charlie Harper. The phone number is at the bottom.”

The business card is a drab, cement gray, with the header in a bright blue script font, with yellow accents. The color scheme alone makes me wonder who I’m dealing with here, but the worst part is the business name.

“Pops & Hops Brewing?” My lip curls of its own volition. What kind of ridiculous brewery name is that? What kind of quaintness am I up against with this Mr. Harper? I look up, but Ms. Gallagher just watches me with that smug smile plastered to her face. I thought I might like her at the start of this meeting. Now, however…

Narrowing my gaze, I slide the business card into my coat pocket and stand, giving her a curt nod. “Enjoy the rest of your afternoon.”

She flashes a wicked grin. “You as well, Mr. Lane.”

I pause—turns out she knows exactly who I am—then head for the stairs. The sexy brunette isn’t sitting at the bar anymore, and a quick glance tells me she’s nowhere in the vicinity. Disappointment tugs at my chest, but I ignore it. There are bigger things at stake here than getting laid.

“Good luck with that phone call,” thejunioragent calls after me, laughter in her voice. I ignore her and make my way to the lower level of the brewery.

Good luck? She may know who I am, but I’m not sure she has any idea who she’s dealing with.

Chapter Five

Charlie

I exit the bathroom and nearly slam right into the hot guy from upstairs. His scent envelops me and I look up into those bright green eyes. A nervous giggle bubbles up my throat, but I quickly pull my lips between my teeth. I think I’d leave with him right now if he asked me to, knowing absolutely nothing about him save for the fact that he’s gorgeous, smells like sex-on-a-stick, and makes me want to do somereallynaughty things.

His lips quirk up to one side like he can read my mind. “So we meet again. How was that blackberry sour?”

“Bitter.” I shrug. “It was the kiwi.”

He nods slowly, focusing on my mouth when I lick my lips.

My belly tightens, deep in my core. I swallow hard, dangerously close to climbing him like a little monkey. “Well,” I say slowly, stepping aside.

He meets my gaze and inclines his head, then steps past me and out into the sunshine. He walks to his car, something sleek and sexy, of course—like him—and I frown when he climbs inside without a backwards glance.

I hope Jo’s meeting went better than my afternoon delight that never happened.

With a loud sigh, I make my way upstairs and sit across from Josie on the couch. “Girl, if that’s the kind of clients you have, sign me up for the real estate exam.”

“Trust me, babe, you want nothing to do with that.”

I frown, stealing her glass for a sip of whatever she’s drinking. “What’s wrong? Didn’t the meeting go well?”

Josie barks out a laugh. “Oh, it went about as well as can be expected.Considering.”

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