Page 13 of For the Promise

Blossom

Icheck the time on my computer – one minute past noon – and push away from my desk. Time for some much-needed lunch.

The past weeks have been extremely busy. Setting up a new brewery and starting to brew in record time, since the hurricane destroyed the original facilities, has been exhausting. But also exhilarating. I doubt anyone besides Paisley could have managed it. Of course, she had an extraordinary assistant – aka me – to help her.

I pause as I pass my boss’s office. I usually warn her when I go to lunch but since her and Eli have been getting hot and heavy in her office, I’m reluctant to knock on her door. I’m not a voyeur! They think no one knows what they’re doing. Spoiler alert – everyone knows.

I whip out my phone and message Paisley instead. I nearly jump when she replies immediately.

Have a long lunch. You deserve it.

I deserve it? Or she wants some privacy to play with Eli? I start typing my question but you know what? I don’t want to know. Paisley deserves to have some fun. Especially with a sexy billionaire who follows her around like a puppy dog.

And I have the perfect way to pass the time. I nearly skip as I make my way to Jaxon’s office. I’ve been dying for a tour of the distillery and who better to give me a tour than the sexy master distiller?

I pass the operations manager’s office. The door is open, and I check inside, but Kai is nowhere to be found. From what I’ve learned over the past weeks, this is normal. He’s the youngest Raider brother and isn’t exactly fond of responsibility.

Must be nice to have an older brother who founded a company to give you a job. I rub a hand over my chest as the familiar pang of loneliness hits. I had the best family ever but no longer. They’re gone.

My eyes itch but I inhale a deep breath and push all my feelings away. I’m not having a breakdown at work. Breakdowns are for when you’re home alone and have a dozen or two of cookies to help you eat your feelings.

The door next to Kai’s opens, and Jaxon walks out.

“Just the man I’m looking for.”

Jaxon glances around as if searching for whoever I’m referring to. When he realizes we’re alone, he taps his chest. “Do you mean me?”

He’s adorable when he’sconfused. “Yes, you.”

Those ocean blue eyes, all of the Raider brothers share, cloud with confusion. “Why are you looking for me? Is something wrong? Has the brewing caused a problem for the distillery? I told Eli this wasn’t a good idea.”

I hold up a palm. “Slow down, Mr. Doomsday. There’s no problem.”

His nose wrinkles. “Why are you searching for me if there’s no problem?”

I widen my eyes and give him my best innocent look. Judging by how his eyes narrow, I’m not convincing him. “I’ve tried getting a tour of the distillery many times, but I was told you don’t give tours.”

“Correct.”

I bite my bottom lip. “Maybe you could give me a tour now? Since we’re colleagues and all.”

He frowns. “I don’t have time to give you a tour.”

“It’s lunchtime. Don’t you need a break?”

“I don’t have time for a break.”

“You need to have a break, even if you’re busy. It’s important to give your body and brain a pause. It helps boost creativity, increases productivity, reduces stress, prevents burnout, and improves concentration when you return to work.”

He studies his watch for several moments. “I have ten minutes before I need to return to my office.”

I bounce on my toes. “Thank you! You won’t regret this.”

“I’m already regretting this,” he mutters.

I elbow him. “I’ll bring you cookies fromPirates Pastriesas a thank you. No one can resist Parker’s cookies.”

“I want a shipwreck cookie.”

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