Page 61 of Uxpectedly Ever After

That gets a genuine laugh from both of them, and I feel a surge of pride at the sound. Making Clover laugh is still my favorite accomplishment.

The tension across the room seems to have eased a bit. No one’s shouting or throwing punches, so I’ll call that a win.

"So," Reed says after a beat, a thoughtful look on his face, "I've been trying to calculate the statistical odds your baby inherits Clover's eye color based on the genetic markers I observed in her medical workup and well”—he gestures at my face—“your apparent phenotypes.”

Clover and I just stare at him.

"What?" he asks, seeming genuinely confused by our reaction.

"Dude," I say, barely holding back a laugh, “normal people fill the silence with sports or the weather, not whatever that was.”

Reed's cheeks flush as he scowls. "Well, I hate small talk.” He takes a large gulp of his beer. “Sue me.”

Sometimes Reed says the most random shit and I can tell it embarrasses him, but he doesn't really get the whole being social thing. He’s awkward as hell, but it’s part of his charm. You can’t help but like the guy—he's somehow both brilliant and completely clueless at the same time.

I'm still laughing when Kasen joins us, his expression all the way annoyed.

“Enjoying yourselves?” he asks dryly.

“More than you, apparently,” I shoot back. “How’s the chat with your new best friend?”

He shoots me a look that would wither most men. "She’s not my friend."

"Business rival, then," I shrug, enjoying this way too much. “Or is ‘arch-nemesis’ more accurate?”

"The bane of his existence," Clover adds with a mischievous smile that I adore. God, I love this woman.

"Very funny." Kasen takes a long pull from his beer. "Navy had no idea about the airport contract. Or any of it. Wren's been feeding her some bullshit no doubt."

“And you set her straight?” Reed asks.

“Tried to. Navy thinks I’m overreacting.” Kasen scrubs a hand through his hair, frustration etched on his face. “Swears Wren’s just doing her job.”

"Is she wrong, though?" Clover asks gently.

Kasen's eyes narrow. "Whose side are you on?"

“Yours, obviously,” she says, unfazed. “I’m just saying it’s business, Kase. She’s not exactly breaking any laws.”

“It feels personal,” he insists. “Targeting that airport contract in particular—she knew how important that was to Timber.”

“Maybe itispersonal,” I suggest. “Maybe she hates you for some reason. What’d you do?”

“Nothing,” he snaps. “We’ve only met a couple of time and she’s always been the fucking worst.”

Clover and I exchange a look, but before either of us can push further, Navy bounces over, eyes shining.

"It's time!" she announces. "Everyone's ready for the reveal."

Immediately, Kasen’s entire demeanor shifts; he brightens like someone flipped a switch. He taps the pocket with that infamous envelope. “Finally. I’ve been dying to open this thing.”

We trail after him toward the center of the brewery, where he hops onto a chair and whistles to stop the chatter.

“First, a big thanks for coming out tonight,” he begins, voice carrying over the quieting crowd "Rebuilding after the fire wasn't easy, but seeing all of you here makes it worth every minute of the past two months."

The place erupts in cheers and raised glasses.

"And now," Kasen continues, "I have the honor of sharing some news that's even better than Timber reopening. As most of you know, my sister and her fiancé are expecting their first child."

---