Page 35 of A Bright Winter Season

Jacob shook his head. “You’re a nut. She’s always been a friend of mine, and I was just trying to be a good neighbor. You know she’s got a kid. She’s had to do a lot of things on her own, and I was just trying to help out.”

Trevor shrugged. “Suit yourself. Be in denial if you want.” He stood up and stretched. “I’ll try again another day. And we can go somewhere other than the McCormick brewery. I may not share your extreme loyalty to the Owens, but I can respect it.”

Jacob smiled at his friend. “I just don’t like how Judd has been treating the Owens. He even showed up in Vivian’s office the other day, trying to bully her into canceling the pub’s Christmas event.”

“Really?” Trevor frowned. “Huh. I guess maybe it’s not just because of your massive crush on Hazel Owens.”

Jacob crumpled up an old sticky note and threw it at Trevor. “Get out of here! You can come back and annoy me another time.”

“Better yet, how about you come watch the fights with me later tonight when you’re done working? We can go somewhere other than the brewery.”

“As long as I’m not too dead on my feet, sure. That sounds good. Thanks, Trevor.”

“Hey, sometimes I know you need to be pushed to have fun. Otherwise, you get too locked into your work.”

“You’re right.” Jacob felt a surge of gratitude for his friend. “I’ll shoot you a text when I’m done?”

“Sounds good. See you later, old man.”

“Bye, Trevor.” Jacob grinned at his friend as he left his office. Once Trevor had gone, Jacob looked down at the tools andsupplies that he’d gathered for working at the pub without really seeing them. He couldn’t help thinking about what Trevor had said. Did he have a massive crush on Hazel?

I really admire her, that’s for sure,he thought.And I have to admit, she is an attractive woman.

Even though he was all alone in his office, he started to cough again and hurriedly reached for his water bottle.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Alexis leaned forward eagerly, looking down at the breakfast menu of The Salty Spoon. Her stomach rumbled unceremoniously, and she glanced up at Julia, who was sitting across from her, wondering if she’d heard the noise.

Julia, however, seemed to be engrossed in sipping her cup of coffee and typing out a long text to Cooper. She had a sappy smile on her face, which Alexis took to mean that whatever she was saying to Cooper, it was more than just a regular “good morning.”

Alexis smiled and looked back down at the menu. The cheerful sounds of clinking cutlery and people talking and laughing filled the air, along with appetizing aromas of breakfast food.

“Ever since I moved back, I still can’t get over how many breakfast options they have now.” Alexis laughed. “It’s overwhelming in the best way. I always want to try something I’ve already had because I know it’s great, but at the same time I want to try something new. Everything sounds so delicious.”

Julia chuckled. “Tell you what. As long as we end up getting different things, we can sample each other’s food.”

“Ooh, sounds great.” Alexis looked back down at the menu, and her eyes lighted on something she’d already ordered in the past. In an instant, she knew that was what she wanted to get.

“Hey, ladies, are we all ready to order? What can I get for you?” Their waitress, a smiling middle-aged woman named Susan, stepped up to the table. Susan was good-natured and outspoken, and Alexis had always liked her.

“Are you ready, Julia?” Alexis asked, glancing in amusement at her sister, who was still texting Cooper.

“I will be in just a second,” Julia said. “You order first?”

“Okay. I’ll take two pieces of French toast, with peanut butter on the side, and a chocolate banana peanut butter smoothie bowl with extra peanut butter.”

“My goodness!” Susan laughed. “Normally you ask me to hold the peanut butter on everything you order. You’ve really had a change in your food preferences, huh?”

Alexis shrugged, smiling. “Lately, I just can’t get enough peanut butter.”

“Huh.” Susan smiled sweetly at Alexis, and it was clear that the wheels in her mind were turning. “You’re also looking a little flushed, sweetheart.” She let out an eager gasp. “Are you pregnant?”

Alexis’s eyes widened. “Shh, Susan.” The waitress’s tone had been on the louder side, and she glanced around hurriedly to see if anyone was looking at their table or not. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Susan gave her a conspiratorial smile and a wink. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”

Julia cleared her throat, giving Alexis a look, and then ordered a breakfast burrito with a side of strawberry yogurt.

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