Page 68 of Tinder Embrace
The insistent buzz from my phone drilled into my sluggish, still waking brain. I wished I could swat it away, but a quick glance at the screen revealed my operations manager’s number. I slid from the bed, careful not to jostle Sophie more than necessary, and strode to the tiny kitchenette before answering.
"Carlos, what's the problem?"
"Why do you think I always call with issues?"
I snorted. "It's not even five."
"So? You're usually awake."
I glanced toward the hall, thinking about my late night with Sophie and the reason I was so groggy today.
Worth it.
"What's up, Carlos?"
"One of the pumps is down in brewing."
I bit back my groan. If it wasn't one thing, it was another.
"Be there in fifteen," I said, when what I really wanted to do was tell him to find someone else. But there was no one else. Jo's forte was the actual brewing. The art. I fixed shit. Between the two of us, we made it work. But days like today, being the boss sucked.
Letting Sophie sleep seemed like the gentlemanly thing to do, but I didn't want to strand her at the cottage. Leaving her a note to call Jo later seemed like an equally bad idea.
She lay on her side beneath the sheets, one rounded shoulder peeking out from the covers.
"Sophie," I called softly, slipping into the spot I'd vacated, wishing I could wrap her in my arms instead of waking her.
"Hmm?"
Her sleepy question made me smile. She hadn't even cracked her lids, only rolled toward me.
"I've got to get back to the farm. Can I give you a ride home now, or do you want to call Jo or someone later?"
Sophie's eyes popped open. "What time is it?"
"A few minutes to five."
"I should get home and shower."
"Sorry for the early wakeup," I apologized.
I leaned in, stealing a quick kiss. She was too adorably mussed to resist, her dark hair in a tangle, her lips still kiss-stung from our night together.
"You're forgiven," Sophie said. "Let me just find my clothes."
I handed her a neatly folded pile, and she made quick work of slipping into her things. As much as I hated to see her cover up, ignoring the world wouldn't fly for long. We both had responsibilities.
Dropping her off at her apartment felt like a letdown after our night together, but I appreciated that Sophie took the abrupt end to our night together with grace. My original plan had been to make breakfast for her, but the pump that recirculated our brewing mash had other plans.
"Want to come over after dinner tonight?" Sophie asked as she slipped out of my truck in last night's clothes.
"Yes, but I doubt I can make it. I don't want to say yes and have to cancel last-minute. The mash pump is likely going to make it a long day."
"Oh."
"How do you feel about Friday instead?" I asked. "Then we can take Bee-gonia out in the morning?"
Sophie grinned. "Bring your toothbrush?"
