Page 41 of Good Vibes Only
“Uh, because you two were totally flirting with each other right in front of me, remember?”
“We weren’t flirting. We werearguing. Why does everyone keep thinking that?”
She cracked up. “Look at you! You’re all dolled up because you’re literally going out on a lunch date with him, yet you’restillgoing to deny it?”
“Until the day I die,” I joked, and turned my nose up. “Seriously though, Rave. How’d you guess it was him? That’s just freaky. It doesn’t make sense.”
“I guess I’m just that good.” She tried to manage a smug expression as she buffed her nails, but was soon betrayed by a sneaking grin that broke her cocky countenance. “Okay, okay. Theremightbe more to the story than I’m letting on.”
“Obviously. No one’s thatgood. And if youwerethat good, I’d be a little concerned that you’re a witch or something,” I quipped. “Go on, then. Tell me.”
“So get this. When I was getting ready for work this morning, my friend sent me this article because we got a mention in it.” She neared with her phone in hand and pulled up the article. “It’s actually about the brewery next door, but they wrote a paragraph about us because, um, supposedly we’re not family friendly or something? Because we sell sex toys? Who knows.”
“Yeah! Brett told me about that article!” I said. I grabbed her phone and began skimming the article. “I mean, he’s sort of complimentary to us,I guess.”
“And it’s free publicity.”
“Yeah, I can’t complain,” I said. I skimmed a little more. “Hm. Despite talking us up a little, he’s also kinda judgmental and weird at the same time. Like, why is he implying that Brett should be ashamed just because his brewery is located next to my shop? That’s seriously not cool.”
Raven agreed. “That guy can eat a bag of dicks.”
“That’s what I didn’t like about Brett when he came in here with that attitude!” I said. “Honestly, when he told me about this article, I was kinda relieved that someoneelseput the idea in his head, and he didn’t just come up with it on his own.”
“Yeah, that definitely makes him a little less douchey.” She let out a disappointed sigh. “Not gonna lie, though, I’m a little disappointed.”
“Why?”
“I was all excited to show you that article! I thoughtIwas gonna be the one to drop the bomb on you that the short guy from next door is actually an honest-to-God pro athlete.”
I snickered. “Yeah, you’re a little too late for that.”
“So how’d you find out?” she asked.
“Remember when I told you I was going to a hockey party? Yep … it was his party. So I actually got hit with that bomb last night when he answered the door.”
Raven laughed and squealed with delight. “That isamazing!Oh, man! I would’ve loved to have seen the look on your face.”
“I was completely stunned.”
“Tell me everything!” she demanded.
I gave her the rundown of the whole night—how meeting Brett a second time was, at first, a lot like the first time we met; the incredible disappointment I felt at howgoodhis beer is, because it meant his brewery likely wasn’t going anywhere and we were stuck with each other; and finally, how Brett started to drop the act and open up a little once he and I had a moment alone.
And who could forget the kiss.
Groan.
“He kissed you?! Holy shit! Mac!”
“I know, I know,” I grumbled.
“Wait, why are you acting like it was a mistake?”
“Because itwas. And now I’ve got to go on this stupid lunch date,” I said, and rolled my eyes. “And ifI’mfeeling regret over this, there’s no way he isn’t, either.”
Her head tilted. “Why would you say that?”
“Think about it. We were both a little tipsy when he asked me out to lunch. Why would he ask me out to lunchtoday?”
