Page 31 of More Than Words
“They totally did.”
Before she could say more, one of her friends called her name and she turned.
“Go.”I waved her off.
“See you later, bookstore lady.”She winked at me, already walking backward into the crowd.“Don’t leave without trying the cider.It’ssogood.”
As soon as she was out of earshot, Lauren tilted her head at me.“What was that all about?”
“Career day,” I said, trying not to make a big deal out of it.“I guess her mom couldn’t make it last minute, so I offered to help out.No biggie.”
“Seems like a biggie.”
I avoided making eye contact, but when Lauren didn’t elaborate after a moment, I turned to see her giving me a sharp, quiet look.A look that was maybe just a little bit too perceptive.
“What?”
“Nothing.”She sipped her drink.“It’s just interesting, is all.”
“She’s a good kid.”I looked down into my glass.
“Mm-hmm.”
Whatever Lauren was thinking, I did not need her to say it.My feelings were already complicated enough.
Thankfully, the crowd shifted a little bit, and through the throng of people, I spotted Ethan across the room.
For the first time all night, he wasn’t surrounded by well-wishers.
He stood behind the bar, his hand resting on a beer tap.He looked good.Relaxed and completely in his element.
As if he could sense me looking, he lifted his head, and his eyes met mine.His lips curled up into a genuine smile that made something low in my gut tighten.
For a moment, I forgot my friend standing next to me, the noise, and all the people.It was just him.
I lifted my hand in a slight wave that he mirrored back at me.
“You should probably go say hello,” Lauren said from beside me, a trace of humor in her voice.
I nodded and, without another word, started to move toward him.
Ethan
I took a second to lean against the bar and take it all in.
That, and breathe for a second.
I’d been going nonstop all day, trying to get the last few details ironed out before the doors opened for the grand opening.And once they did, well…to say I’d been blown away by the turnout would be an understatement.It was loud, busy, and chaotic in a way that meant people were happy and excited.
They were sampling, ordering and staying.
I knew there was support for Peaks & Brews in Trickle Creek, but I hadn’t expected this.It was more than I could have hoped for.
I’d been pulled in every direction by well-wishers and my newly hired staff, who had so many questions.But for this moment, it was just me.
After months of stress, plaster dust, worry, and wondering whether I was out of my damn mind to be opening a brewery while single-handedly raising a twelve-year-old girl, I’d actually done it.
I blew out a breath.
