Page 34 of Merry with a Brewmaster
I could have Wells, Haven,andmy shop, right? Why did I think I had to choose?
Grabbing a bottle of water, I down half of it and will myself to act unaffected as Wells comes back into the kitchen. But he’s…off. The flush on his cheeks has been replaced with something else as a scowl settles on his lips.
I’m about to ask what’s wrong when he hands me his phone, and I have to brace a hand on the island to keep my knees from buckling.
KIM: Great news—I’m picking Haven up today!
WELLS: Why the change? You didn’t give us any warning
KIM: It’s my weekend
WELLS: But you’ve missed every weekend since mid-August
KIM: All the more reason for her to be excited
KIM: I have a ton of fun things planned!
WELLS: When will you be here?
I don’t readthe rest.
I can’t.
Because I don’t want her to go, and one look at Wells says he feels the same.
“Haven, I have some good news.” His voice is as weak as his smile as Haven looks up from her painting. “Your mom is coming to pick you up in a little while.”
“I don’t want to go,” she says, almost panicked, her eyes bouncing between her father and me.
“Maybe you can paint those ornaments we got at the store?” I offer as her shoulders slump farther.
“I know it’s been a while since you’ve seen her, but your mom loves you and she’s really excited to have you spend the weekend together,” Wells says, forcing brightness into his tone. “Let’s get you packed. I bet she’d love to see some of the things you’ve made…”
His words trail off as he leads her up the stairs.
This sucks.
VIENNA: She’s a wench
SAIGE: What did she do this time?
VIENNA: She’s coming to get Haven, but Haven doesn’t want to go
SAIGE: That wench
SAIGE: Is Wells being the peacekeeper?
VIENNA: Yes and I get it—I do—she’s Haven’s mom
SAIGE: But she hasn’t been around in months
VIENNA: Exactly
SAIGE: Keep me posted. I’m always up for causing mayhem
VIENNA: I’ll keep it in mind
Throwingmy phone onto the counter, I take a couple of deep breaths to calm the storm inside me. It’s insane how much I don’t want Haven to go with her mother when I have absolutely no claim on that little girl.
