Page 89 of Love Is Brewing

“Yes, I’m dating Elias,” she said. “I hadn’t been aware I needed to let everyone know that.”

She was smiling at least.

There wasn’t anything to hide. Even if she wanted to, she couldn’t go anywhere without someone bringing it up.

“How long have you been dating?” Sophie asked. “My cousin works at the brewery.”

“I worked there for a few summers,” Kayla said. “I never talked to Elias, but he was always all over the building. He’s nice and well liked. Don’t take this the wrong way, buthe’s hot.”

“Yes, he is,” Phoebe said proudly. She’d never talked like that before with staff, but it felt like it was the thing to do.

It was a professional law office, but they had fun and were more laid back.

Not as stuffy as the office in Charlotte.

She hadn’t realized how much she would enjoy a place like this.

“I didn’t think you’d answer that way,” Kayla said, grinning.

“Why?” she asked.

Kayla shrugged. “No reason.”

“She doesn’t want to say that weeks ago you were more tightly wound,” Ellen said. “Not in a bad way. A professional way with a goal and a purpose. Most law offices are run in a businesslike manner.”

“So it’s a bad thing?” she asked, lifting an eyebrow. She wanted to cross her arms but resisted.

“Not at all,” Sophie said. “You can and are that way when clients are here or you’re dealing with them. But with us, it’s fun to be like this. It really is.”

“It is,” Kayla said. “I’d never say what I had if clients were here. I wouldn’t have even brought up about Elias other than when I heard it I thought it was nice. I can see you two together even though I’m sure you’re opposites.”

“That’s funny,” she said. “I don’t think we are. I think we have a lot more in common than most would think.”

They were personal ideas and thoughts.

Nothing she’d ever shared with coworkers or employees before.

Hell, she didn’t share those things with friends.

Friends that she hadn’t stayed in contact with since she moved here.

“That’s between both of you,” Sophie said.

“Thanks,” Phoebe said. “It is. Dare I ask how you found out?”

“I used to work there, as I said,” Kayla said. “I’ve still got friends that do. Elias’s sister works there now and someone overheard her and Elias talking about you and how their mother came to town on Saturday unannounced.”

Good Lord, there were some big ears in this small town.

“Yes,” she said. “Aileen came to town to meet me. We had a lovely dinner out with her. I met Talia on Monday night.”

Elias’s sister spent the night and the three of them had a nice dinner at his house. Talia cooked for her and it was very sweet and she liked the youngest child of the family.

“I think that’s nice,” Ellen said. “I’m surprised I haven’t heard anything before now. I grew up here and couldn’t wait to leave. There is nothing worse than every time you go into any establishment someone calls your name.”

“I’m learning that,” Phoebe said, snorting. “Why did you come back? Or did you never leave?”

“I never left,” Sophie said. “I think many people say they are going to, but something keeps them grounded here. Normally family. It’s a pretty area. It’s located close enough to other big cities. But I’ve got family here. I think I like the small town feel to raise a kid too.”

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