Page 12 of It Happened in Vegas

Now she wanted to play the reunion game. Probably parade me around like we were something we never really were. For the cameras. For her own greedy need to claw her way back into the hearts of the fans.

I leaned back in my chair and rubbed a hand over my face.

What the hell was I doing?

I wanted love. Real love. The kind that wasn’t edited for reality TV.

I was ready for the type of relationship where you slept in together too long, making love to your wife, then you both rushed around all morning to get the kids ready for school. And evenings where we barbecued while the kids ran around in the yard. Nights where you held her close, watching the sunsets.

Brewed for Love was definitelynotthe place to find love. I found out only too late how the women there were after fame and fortune, using the show to get noticed. Or using any guy with a recognizable name and profile and money to get ahead.

Good for Ben and Vanessa, the winners, to find something real to hold on to through all of that and to take vows. I wished them well.

I wanted someone to come home to. Laugh with. Build a future with.

I just didn’t know where the hell to find that anymore.

Sophie’s chair sat empty across the room. What might’ve been a great start between us was now mired in business.

And hadn’t she used me, too? Flirting to land this consultant job?

Dammit, why the hell did matters of the heart have to be so confusing?

My phone buzzed once more. I didn’t bother to look.

Instead, I pulled up the tap list, opened my spreadsheet, and forced myself to think about barrels and brews and bottling and seasonal offerings. Anything but Vegas or the show.

Because love? That was for someone else.

And I’d already learned the hard way not to fall for a fantasy.

Suddenly, I needed some air. “I’m going to Vivian’s. Be back soon,” I grumbled to Jessa on my way out the door.

With a deep breath of the hot air outside, I walked over to Cupcake Cottage. The town crew was out in force, adding more lights and decorations on the tall fir tree setting in the middle of the quaint square. I nodded at a few townspeople along the way.

When I entered Vivian’s, she held Isabella crying on one hip, while boxing pastries for a customer with her other hand. Her smile when she saw me appeared tired, but pleased.

I took the baby off her hands right away. “Come to Uncle Keaton, baby girl. What’s wrong? I’ve got you,” I soothed and waited for Vivian at the island in the kitchen.

She wiped her brow after bidding her customers goodbye and joined me there. “You came at the right time.”

“Where’s your help today?” I asked, knowing Richard demanded she hire enough people so she wouldn’t have to be so tied down to the shop this summer.

“One had a doctor’s appointment, and the other had to go on an early lunch break to run an errand. Of course, that’s when we get a sudden rush of customers.”

“What about Paris? I thought she was helping this summer?”

“Yes, well, that I blame on Richard. He bought a few miniature highland cows and now all she wants to do is hang out in the barn. It was bad enough she loves to be out there with her horse. Now she has even more reasons to practically live among the animals.” She shook her head.

“Mini cows?” I shook my head, too.

“Don’t ask. For a billionaire who grew up in the city, Richard seems to think our property is his personal ranching cowboy fantasy come true.” She finished as the door chimed, signaling more customers. “You got her? I’ll be back.”

“Of course I’ve got her. Uncle Keaton is a pro, right, little girl?” I turned on the baby talk and set Isabella’s rump on the butcher block while I held her upright and continued to coo at her.

“Well, isn’t this a treat?” Sophie exclaimed, entering the room and leaning against the island across from me.

“Where’d you come from?” Damn, she was a pretty sight for my eyes, like they’d been starving for her all day. The sleeveless denim dress hugged her in all the right places, and her hair up in a ponytail screamed for release and my fingers to run through.

---