Page 105 of Love Is Brewing

“I love you so much.”

“What did you say?” he asked. Seriously? She confessed her love and he asked her to repeat it rather than return it! “You’re muffled with your mouth in my collar.”

Oh thank god.

But could she say it again?

It felt as if the moment might be gone.

No. It wasn’t gone.

It’d never be gone.

And she couldn’t even stress if the endorphins caused her to say it because now she had a minute to gather her brain cells.

“I said, I love you...so much.”

He was looking at her while she said it this time so there’d be no confusion over her confession.

“I love you too,” he said. “So very, very much.”

33

MATTER TO YOU

“It’s all set?” Phoebe asked on Monday night.

He’d just walked in her door after driving back from Charlotte. He hadn’t planned on coming here since it’d been such a long day, but he missed her already.

Who the hell thought love would feel this deep?

“It’s on its way for our first collaboration,” he said.

His heart had been racing most of the day with excitement.

More than when Fifth Kid Brewing was officially his.

He remembered walking into the building after he’d bought it from the failing brewery prior.

He wanted to get up and go right away. Most of the staff stayed on rather than being laid off, but they had to adapt to his brewing style and how he was going to run his business.

Many left over the years, but a few clung on and were loyal hard workers.

“I hear how happy you are in your voice without even looking at the smile on your face,” she said, moving into his arms. “I’m so happy for you. This is huge. I know it is. You’re big on your own and will continue to grow, but it’s hard taking a step out like this knowing not everything is in your control.”

He hugged her tight. “That’s it exactly. I knew you’d understand.”

“Trust me,” she said. “I do. I could have stayed in Charlotte and done what I’ve been doing and what was comfortable.”

“Then you wouldn’t have met me,” he said, giving her waist a squeeze.

“That’s right. Being comfortable in life isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be. Can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” he said. “Anything.”

“Do you find it odd that we never fight?”

He laughed. “Not really. I’m pretty laid back and you like to redirect and I let you. That avoids fights.”

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