Page 107 of More Than Words
It had been one of those nights that reminded me exactly why I’d wanted to start a brewery in the first place.Peaks & Brews had become one of the most popular gathering places in Trickle Creek, and that made me happier than I could ever have expected.
Of course, I was pretty sure Delaney had something to do with that happiness, too.
Just as I was thinking of her, I caught sight of my gorgeous girlfriend making her way through the crowd again.She’d already been waylaid by Lauren and then Avery.I had no doubt someone else would stop to talk to her.
Everyone loved Delaney.
Just not as much as I did.
Her hair was up, with only a few loose strands curling around her jaw.She looked relaxed and ready for the warmer weather with just a blouse and jeans on.It didn’t matter what she wore—even in that ridiculous oversized sweater that she seemed to favor, Delaney always looked stunning.
I was a lucky man.
For so many reasons.
I still couldn’t believe she lived with us now.Like a proper family.It had felt right for her to move out of her little apartment and into the house with us.Especially when she started spending more nights there than not.
I’d been concerned that Quinn might struggle with the transition, but she’d only seemed to thrive with a female role model around.The two of them got along so well, sometimes I felt like the odd man out.
But I didn’t mind.Not really.I wouldn’t trade life with my girls for anything.
Delaney reached the bar just as I’d finished pouring two pints, passing them off to a server.
“Hey there, beautiful.”I wiped down the counter with a towel.“I didn’t think you were ever going to make your way over here.”
“Sorry.I got intercepted.”She tilted her head toward Reid’s table, where my brother sat, looking as if he’d just sucked on a sour pickle.“There was a Quinn situation.”
“Let me guess.”I grinned.“Boys?”
“Apparently.”
“I should probably be more concerned,” I said.“But I have no doubt that girl can hold her own.Besides, I’m still kind of stuck on the fact that she’d share her books with someone else.”
“Right?”Delaney laughed.“The boy must be at least a little bit okay if she’d share her books with him.”
She reached across the bar, her hand slipping over mine.“Do you have time for a break?”
“Actually, I do.”I waved to my assistant manager, Jeff, and quickly pulled two pints of our favorite brew before joining Delaney.
Together, we slipped out to the back.One day, hopefully soon, we’d develop the space into a backyard deck space with more tables.But for the moment, it served as a quiet break spot.
I set the beers on the table and pulled out a chair for Delaney.
“It’s nice and quiet out here,” she said.“Perfect.”
“I agree.As much as I love the chaos inside, this is nice.”
“Chapter One?”She raised an eyebrow in question.
“Of course.”It was our favorite brew for good reason.
“That’s perfect.”She lifted her glass.“It feels like a good night for a toast.”
I picked up mine too.“To what?”
“To the life we’re building,” she started, her eyes meeting mine.“To where it started and where it’s going.”
“I like that.”
