Page 38 of It Happened Again

“Mission accomplished.”

Sophie stuck her hand out to Keaton. “We met before at the Albany Hospital during the kidney transplant chaos for Paris.”

Keaton blinked. “Wait—Sophie, right?”

Sophie gave him a pleased grin, tilting her head slightly. “You remembered. I’m flattered. That was a chaotic time. I’m glad Paris is fine now.”

Keaton chuckled and wrapped the bar top with his knuckles. “Ladies, your drinks are on the house tonight. What’ll you have?”

We ordered dirty martinis.Waitstaff shuffled tables to the edges of the room, clearing space for a dance floor. The live band began their first set with a bluesy cover of a soulful classic.

At some point, we danced. We laughed. Sophie and Archer took turns giving each other grief about their drink orders, while Keaton chimed in from behind the bar with sarcastic commentary about Archer’s buttoned-up shirt. Archer fired back that Keaton’s plaid shirt looked like it came from the clearance rack of a lumberjack convention.

Sophie grinned and whispered to me, “They’re like a comical sitcom.”

Midway through the evening, Sophie grabbed my arm and said, “Bathroom trip.”

Inside the ladies’ room, while Sophie touched up her lipstick, I leaned against the sink and smirked. “So... are you planning on taking both Archer and Keaton home tonight or are you still deciding which one to get your hooks into?”

Sophie gave me a wicked grin. “Archer is dangerously charming. But Keaton is hot,” she paused, eyes flashing. “And a hot mess when it comes to business. You know that’s my kryptonite. His marketing campaigns? I’ve been obsessively cringing over them since I met him at the hospital back when Paris was waiting for her kidney transplant. I seriously had to stop myself from asking if he wanted help with his bottle label design. But the truth is? I admire him more. Archer was born into money and kept right on making more with Bellamy Design. But Keaton? He started with nothing. He built Holly Creek Hops from scratch, started bottling, building his brand. And now he’s aiming for national distribution—thanks to Richard’s investment and guidance. The man knows beer. He just doesn’t know branding.”

I lifted a brow. “So why don’t you reach out to Richard and pitch him? See if you can land the account?”

Sophie stared at her reflection a moment longer, her smile dimming into something more thoughtful. “You know, I never let myself think I’m ready for a client like that. But maybe it’s time I stopped holding back.”

“Absolutely, girl-boss. Go for it.” I fluffed my hair and tied my t-shirt tighter.

She winked at me. “You’re right. I’m going to do it. I’m going to pitch him.”

We returned to the table in time for the band to hit a new groove. The ambient warmth, the hum of conversations, and the faint notes of music curling through the air—it all reminded meof the environments I’d been studying for months. Low light, warm color tones, rhythmic sounds, and laughter. The kind of unmeasured variables that nonetheless impacted the body’s chemistry.

Maybe I should test this room at the Hops for how it reduced stress—all I knew was, in Brooks’ arms, I felt more grounded than I had in months. Not exactly a controlled lab environment, but the results were... compelling. Maybe I should test this room at the Hops for how it reduces stress—all I know is, in Brooks’ arms, I felt more grounded than I had in months. Not exactly a controlled lab environment, but the results were... compelling.

With Brooks’ hand on my waist, spinning me across the tiny dance floor, I remembered what it felt like to justbe.

When the band struck up a slow song, Brooks leaned in, voice grazing my ear.

“Dance with me?”

“I thought I already was.”

He grinned. “Let me rephrase. Dance with me like youwantto.”

He pulled me close, one hand settling on the small of my back, the other catching my fingers and guiding them to his chest. His eyes searched mine.

“I haven’t stopped thinking about that barn,” he whispered softly.

“I haven’t either.”

His fingers flexed slightly. “I’m staying in Richard’s guest house. Come back with me tonight.”

I didn’t hesitate.

“Yes.” Who the hell was I right now?

He smiled—slow and satisfied. “You sure?”

“I’m done pretending I’m not.”

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