Page 52 of Trapped In Love

“Yeah…it’s not a bad idea.”

He finished the beer he was sampling and offered me the hoppy pale ale. I took a tiny sip. It was good, but I still loved Area 267 better. Maybe I was biased.

The bartender came over and dropped off the pretzel for us to share. “Did I hear you guys work for a brewery?”

Felix nodded. “Yeah, but we’re out in Philly.”

Drakesville, Philly, close enough.

“Oh, what’s the name?” the bartender asked. He was a bigger guy with a trimmed beard, and he looked familiar to me, but I couldn’t place why.

“MacGregor Brothers Brewing Company,” I said.

The bartender nodded and smiled. “Oh, Nolan’s gig. Yeah, I know Nolan. He’s a good guy.” He pulled a card out and handed it to Felix. “If you’re ever interested in doing a guest line, have Nolan or Declan call me.”

Felix handed the card to me. “I’ll have our new marketing director handle that.”

I glared at him but pocketed the card.

“Well, enjoy guys!” he said and walked away.

“Why did you do that?” I snapped.

Felix shrugged. “Eat your pretzel and be quiet.”

I glared at him. “You’re only allowed to tell me what to do in bed.”

He winked at me. “Yeah, I do like that about you.”

“Asshole,” I muttered under my breath.

I tore off a piece of pretzel, dipped it into the beer cheese, and shoved it into my mouth. I knew he was trying to help, but I didn’t want it. Why couldn’t he understand that?

We ate lunch and ordered another flight while I made a mess of my wings.

Felix handed me a pile of napkins and hand wipes when I finished. I wiped my mouth, a little embarrassed that I let myself eat them like an animal. Felix smiled at me and doodled on his napkin.

“What’s that?” I asked.

He showed me a design with a crystal wrapped around some flowers. “Just tinkering.”

“Is that for my shop?” I asked.

He nodded and pocketed the napkin. “I need to think about it. Maybe add a banner with your shop name on it.”

“Do you think it’s a terrible name?” I asked. I came up with the name on the fly. It told people exactly what they were getting when they ordered jewelry from me.

“It’s growing on me.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

He ran a finger across his eyebrow piercing, and he furrowed his brow. That was Felix’s thinking face. “I want to. I can’t help wanting to make something beautiful for you. To reflect you.”

Butterflies flew around in my stomach at his words. “Thank you,” I whispered.

The bartender dropped off the check, and Felix didn’t let me even pretend to fight him over it. I would get the next round.

“Where to next?” he asked.

I held up one finger. “One more, and then you’re free to go.”

He waggled his eyebrows. “What if I don’t want to be free to go?”

I shrugged. “I can think of something.”

He grinned at me. “I’ve got some ideas.”

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