Page 31 of Merry with a Brewmaster
“Be careful.”Wells mouths the words, his stare focused on my lips before slowly moving up to meet my gaze.
“Or what?”I mouth back as Haven happily slides another piece of waffle through the syrup on her plate.
“Do it again and find out.”
We stare at each other as his dare hangs silently between us.
I want to more than anything, but I can’t.
Right?
16
VIENNA
The morning is chilly as I duck into Cakeology and make a beeline for Saige Reiser—Wells’s cousin and my newly hired real estate agent.
“I’m so sorry I’m late,” I breathe out. “Drop-off was awful this morning. I had to run home and then go back to drop Haven’s lunch off to her.” Saige laughs as I throw my coat over the back of the chair. “I’m just going to grab a coffee. Can I get you anything?”
“I’m good. Thank you though.”
I nod and hustle to the counter where Poppy is working alongside her cousin, Marigold, and order the biggest vanilla chai latte on the menu.
“Are you looking for properties for your shop?” Marigold whispers with a raised brow and I nod.
“I’m finally taking the plunge,” I confirm and she squeals, drawing Poppy’s attention and forcing me to act like I don’t know everything about her because Jace talks about her nonstop.
“Oh hey, you’ve met my cousin, Poppy, right?” she asks and I give her an obligatory smile.
“I’m Vienna. I’m friends with Jace. He said y’all are goin’ to the dance at the fire department.”
Her lips curl up into a sly grin. “We are. It’s nice to put a face with the name—he talks about you a lot.”
I have no doubt. Especially considering he freaked out and made me meet him at the bar before noon. Wells had been less than thrilled to see us together, but Jace needed me and so, I was there.
We’d become unintentional friends and then best friends by choice. Poppy was going to have to get over any insecurities in that regard because I didn’t plan on going anywhere and neither did he.
“Here’s your latte,” Marigold says, handing the drink to me. “Good luck!”
I thank her and give Poppy a wave before heading back to the table and making a mental note to talk to Jace.
“Sorry about that,” I say as I take my seat. Saige brushes her dark hair over her shoulder and stifles a yawn.
“Don’t worry,” she replies as she sits up straighter. “I’ll probably have to get a caffeine IV put in if my new neighbor doesn’t quit it with the all-night concert.”
“I’m sorry, what?” I ask as I take a sip of my drink and notice the dark circles under her eyes that she’s covered up with foundation.
“The guy plays in a band and thinks that one in the morning is the perfect time for a jam session.”
“Want me to yell at him for you?”
She laughs, her shoulders relaxing as she picks up her pen. “No, but I appreciate the offer. I’ve been hoping to avoid a confrontation, but it looks like I’ll have to bite the bullet if I ever want to sleep again.”
“That sounds awful.”
She waves a hand like she’s batting the thought away. “Enough about me. Tell me what you’re looking for and let’s see what we can find.”
Over the next hour, she listens to my dreams and hopes for my flower shop. She takes notes as I lay out the ideal floor plan and need for storage. And she smiles when I tell her about the people I hope to see enjoying my bouquets and centerpieces.
