Page 63 of Love Is Brewing

Since the guy had been in her bed twice in the past week and she’d been in his once, she’d say she knew him fairly well.

She’d spent last Friday night with him; he’d stayed at her place on Saturday and Tuesday.

She was going to his house again tonight when he got home.

He was working late and she took off a little early to pick up some food and get a few things done from home.

Sophie, Ellen, and her most recent paralegal, Kayla, had it all covered.

“My husband works for him,” the woman said.

“That’s nice,” she said. “Can I ask how you knew I was dating him?”

Elias had told her that her neighbor next to her had been looking out the window the first night he’d stayed. No one had said a word to her about a man at her place and she’d probably laugh if they did now.

Here in public, she didn’t want to be a bitch, but she wasn’t so positive she liked everyone knowing her business either.

“Oh,” the woman said. “I saw you two out to dinner the other night. Everyone knows Elias. He’s done so much for the community.” The woman leaned in again. “Not everyone likes him, but I think it’s a great thing.”

Since the woman’s husband worked for Elias, she was hoping he wasn’t going to get trashed.

“I didn’t catch your name,” she said.

“Zoe Blanchard. My husband is Tristian. He’s worked for Elias since he took over the business. They’d run that last brewery into the ground. I didn’t catch your name either,” Zoe said.

So much for getting away with this, but she learned that in this small town, everyone wanted to know everyone else’s business.

She put her hand out. “Phoebe Kelly,” she said.

“Oh, the new law firm in town,” Zoe said.

Not surprising Zoe knew that information too.

“That is me,” she said.

“It’s nice you two are dating. So many would love to land Elias, not just for his family name but the business. But I bet you don’t care about those things.”

“I don’t,” she said. How the hell had picking out apples turned into this with a stranger?

“That’s good,” Zoe said. “I know you’re probably thinking I’m rude saying this all to you, but Tristian likes his job and now that things are expanding even more with Fierce, he’s worried they might get bought out.”

“Sorry,” she said. “I can’t help you there.”

“I know,” Zoe said. “But billionaires always do those things. Buy and sell, so you know, it’s a concern for the area. Not that there is anything wrong with Fierce, but things are different.”

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I can’t help you with your concerns or fears either.”

“I know,” Zoe said again. “I’ll let you get back to your shopping.”

“Thanks,” she said, surprised the smile stayed on her face. Guess she wasn’t as cold or snobby as people thought she was.

“Hello there, Ms. Kelly.”

She turned from where she was looking at the meat to see who called her name.

“Chief Morrison, how are you doing?”

“Doing well,” Chief said. “Good to see you frequenting our local store.”

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