Page 108 of Love Is Brewing

But she was showing a vulnerable side that she rarely did.

He ran his hand over her head.

“Do you think our priorities will align someday?”

She snorted. “I think they already are more than you want to admit. Maybe more than I want to do too.”

34

GETTING USED TO IT

Phoebe left court a month later and was walking to her car when her phone buzzed.

She pulled it out to see the picture from her brother Ben of the Fierce Fifth Kid can and case upon case of beer behind it.

She squealed and then stopped herself and looked around to make sure no one saw her.

She replied with an excited emoji just as she saw someone waving at her and walking closer.

“Hi,” she said to the older woman.

“You’re the new attorney in the area, right?”

Almost four months didn’t seem too new to her anymore, but she wouldn’t argue about it.

“I’m Phoebe Kelly,” she said, “of Kelly Law.”

“Lori Riser,” the woman said, putting her hand out. “I was hoping you could help me. But I don’t want to talk here. Too many ears and eyes.”

“Of course,” she said. She pulled her card out. “Why don’t you give my office a call at your convenience or we can schedule a time for you to come in and talk to someone.”

“I’d prefer to talk on the phone first, but know that taking up your time costs money too.”

“A call is just a consultation to see if we can help you or not,” she said. “We might not be able to, but we’ll make that decision after some facts.”

“Thank you,” Lori said, putting her hand over Phoebe’s. “I appreciate that.”

She watched the woman walk away and rather than go back to the office, drove to the brewery since she had time.

She was so excited for Elias and knew if Ben was sending her that picture, then Elias had to have gotten it first. She’d seen the design of the can already but now that the product was finished, it seemed almost surreal.

When she got to the brewery, she saw the long line of cars and people as always. The to-go slots were all filled, and people were in line to go inside and have a drink or relax with some food from the trucks after a long drive.

They knew who she was now—most people did—but she still had to be buzzed in by security, then Elias paged since he was rarely in his office.

He came down five minutes later with a big smile on his face.

“You saw it, right?” he asked.

“I did,” she said. “I wanted to come to congratulate you in person.” She hugged him.

“Do you have time for some food? We can go out and get it and eat in my office?”

Her head went back and forth. “I’ve got about forty minutes and with the lines out there, I doubt it’s enough time to get it, eat, and to drive back before my call.”

“I get to butt in line,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows. “Let’s go.”

She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. “Mac and cheese,” she said of the first truck they came to.

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