Page 78 of Love Is Brewing

“That he has to work hard to prove himself.”

“You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone,” her father interrupted.

“I’m always going to feel as if I have to, just like Matt and Ben,” she said. “You can’t fix that.”

“And your father isn’t going to try,” her mother said. “You have to come to those terms on your own.”

“I know,” she said. “I think I am. Or I will. It’s nice to know someone else feels the same way. Someone as successful as Elias is.”

“But he’s not as successful as his brother,” her mother said. “So he’s probably always comparing himself.”

“I don’t think he is,” she said, frowning. “At least not that I can see.”

“Then why do you say that you’re alike in wanting to prove yourselves?” her father asked.

“I think he just wants to prove he can do it on his own, not that he is better or can be better.”

“Which makes more sense,” her father said.

“I feel the same way. I’m not trying to be bigger or better. I just want to stand on my feet and contribute.”

“You’re doing more than your part if that is what you’re trying to do,” her father said. “You have to know that.”

“I’m starting to feel it.”

“I can see it,” her mother said. “Why don’t we talk about work now?”

“We can,” she said. “I’ve said more than I thought I would. I appreciate you recognizing it.”

And always having her back.

25

THE TALK

“This place never fails to impress me when I come into it,” Elias said when Ben met him at the front to bring him in the back of Fierce.

There were lines of people ready for a tour, the bar would open soon, food was provided, and the store was big on the other side.

That was only part of what people saw right away, all open and viewable.

His place was set up completely different.

Picnic tables were all over the concrete floors for people to get a drink at the bar, grab some food from one of the food trucks outside, and sit and relax. No fancy seating, just a laid back vibe he’d been going for.

They could look over all the glass walls below and see the workers and the brews being made.

The beers in vats all in a row like dozens of soldiers marching in line and doing their jobs without missing a step.

“We said the same about your place,” Ben said. “Both set up differently but hoping for the same outcome. Mason is stuck on a call but will be down in a minute.”

“No problem,” he said.

He followed Ben through a series of doors to get past where customers were and up a set of stairs.

“How are things going with Phoebe?” Ben asked.

“We’ve talked multiple times since I’ve been dating your sister. Do I get the big brother talk now?”

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