Page 16 of Keep My Heart
‘Yeah, of course.’ I laugh a little. ‘I wasn’t thinking. But I do need to get your number for Sunday. I’m not sure what time I’ll be there.’
We exchange numbers, then walk together to the self checkout.
‘Have a good night,’ I tell her as she leaves.
‘You too!’ She turns back and gives me a smile, and damn, I feel something again, those feelings from the past coming back.
When I get to Matt’s house, I find all of them in the kitchen. Matt’s holding Mia, the three-year-old, and Bella’s on a stool by the sink, helping her mom wash potatoes.
They have such a different life than I do. I kind of envy Matt when I see him like this, looking so damn happy with his kids and his wife. It’s not that I don’t like my life, but going home to an empty apartment every night in a city full of strangers isn’t exactly how I imagined my life at 33. I thought I’d at least be married by now.
‘You’re back,’ Matt says, smiling at me. ‘You pick up some beer while you were there?’
‘No, sorry, I should have.’ I set the marinade on the counter.
‘He’s kidding,’ Tessa says, glancing back at me with a smile. ‘We have plenty of beer, or wine if you prefer that.’
‘Beer is for daddies,’ Bella says as she washes the potatoes with her tiny hands. ‘Wine is for mommies.’
Tessa laughs. ‘That’s not true for all mommies and daddies. Some mommies like beer.’
‘Are we gonna go to your brother’s brewery this weekend?’ Matt asks, setting Mia down. She toddles over to her mom.
‘We can. I’m planning on being there Sunday. Sawyer wants me to try the new brews he’s planning for fall.’
‘It’s only June.’
‘He’s not serving them yet. He’s just getting the recipes figured out.’
‘Would he care if I joined you?’
‘He’d actually like that. He’s looking for more opinions than just my brothers and me.’
‘I’m sure if he asked around town he’d get plenty of volunteers,’ Matt says.
‘I’m sure he would, but he doesn’t want many people knowingwhat he’s planning now that there’s that other brewery opening up.’
‘When’s it opening? Do you know?’
‘I’m not sure. I think later this summer.’
‘And Sawyer still doesn’t know who the owner is?’
‘Not yet. Isn’t that something you could find out? You see all the real estate sales.’
‘It wasn’t a sale. The person inherited the building.’
‘That’s right. I forgot about that.’
‘I’m sure they’ll both do well,’ Tessa says. ‘Plenty of people in town like beer, and tourists love going to breweries.’ She takes the marinade from the counter. ‘Thanks for going to get this.’
‘Sure. Anything to get Matt out of the doghouse.’ I smile at him.
‘She’s used to it,’ he says. ‘I forget shit all the time.’
‘Daddy said a bad word,’ Bella says, pointing at Matt.
‘I saidmint,’ he tells her. ‘I forgetmintall the time. Your mom uses it in recipes.’
