Page 9 of It's a Brewtiful Day
“Were you involved long enough to ask?”
I shrugged and rather than glare at my brother-in-law, I stared at my half-full glass of wine. “My reasons for dumping the guy were absolutely valid.”
“Just like the guy who sped all the time? Marc, was it?” He took the now empty pot and put it into the sink, filling it with hot, soapy water.
“That was a safety issue.” I pointed my fingerat him. “I didn’t need you to be the first on scene when he lost control of his car and we crashed into an elk or something.” My gaze dropped to the counter.
“And what about the nose picker? What was his name again?”
“Does it matter?” I was tired of my dating history constantly being thrown back at me. “They’re all stinkers. I have a knack for picking out the losers. If there’s a loser in this town, I’ll be attracted to him.”Which makes me question what’s up with Elliot.
“The nose picker was actually a nice guy,” Chad said.
Cassie nodded in agreement and pushed her glasses up with her knuckle. “Right? He was sweet and outgoing.”
“And a brown noser,” I added. “Remember?”
Chad pointed a finger at me with a warm smile on his rugged and scarred face. “You need to lower your standards. There’s only one perfect guy in this world and you’re looking at him. You’ll never find another.”
“You’re hardly perfect.” Cassie tossed a dish towel over her shoulder. “Loveable, yes, but far from perfect.”
“Hey.” His watch buzzed loudly. “Dang, dang, I’m going to be late.” He promptly kissed Cassie goodbye. “Don’t stay up.”
“Oh, I won’t.”
He patted me on the shoulder as he walkedby. “See you later, kid, and convince your sister that we should get a dog.”
“What? Where did that come from?” I asked, but he was already gone.
The door banged shut.
“Dog?” I asked.
Her gaze fell to the pot of soapy water. “It’s not going to happen. I don’t want to care for a dog.” The way she said it, I knew there was more there than caring for an animal. She wanted a baby, not a four-legged animal, and I understood how they weren’t the same thing. A heavy sigh fell out of her. “I have Chad and my students, that’s enough. I don’t need a dog.”
I wanted to see her smile. “And, you have me.”
“And you.” Her warm smile had yet to appear, hidden behind her pain.
There was another way to make her smile return, and I shuddered at the thought, but still, I let the words come out of my mouth, all be it with a weighted sigh. “Tell me about Alice’s brother.”
Chapter Three
It’s amazing how a solid night of sleep—albeit filled with the best dreams—can put a spring in my step. Even better, my hair had cooperated in styling and held the perfect, bouncy curls, and my makeup went on flawlessly, giving my complexion a healthy glow. Slipping into my favourite leggings and fitted shirt, I donned my red leather jacket from the back of my closet and headed to work feeling frisky and confident.
Strolling down the avenue of my small mountain town, I enjoyed how the season was on the cusp of change. The leaves were starting to change colour from the deep, rich hues of green to more yellows and oranges with a pop of red in between. The air had a fresh scent too; a little stronger than normal and almost tinged with rain.
Turning, I glanced behind me, up to the top of the mountain range where the winds rushed downfrom. The wispy clouds reminded me of stretched-out cotton balls, and they were typically a sign of impending nasty weather. I truly hoped not. If there was one thing I hated—more than speeders and farting guys—it was a thunderstorm.
I zipped up my jacket, shifted my bag on my shoulders, and picked up my pace, intent on making a much-needed stop at the Coffee Loft before starting my workday. More than the caffeine boost, I desired another quick conversation with a certain barista. Instead of a shot of espresso in my drink, I wished it had a shot of courage.
Especially after last night’s exchange at book club. Begrudgingly, I was going to meet Alice at the high school where she and her team were preparing for the upcoming Dark Sky Festival.
The festival was an annual two-week event, filled with guest speakers, astronomy events galore, and some fun with rockets.
Cassie thought it would be better to meet Fox, which was an unusual name, if they planned a dinner date and told me to show up at a certain place and time, like a blind date. Alice, bless her, thought rather than a true blind date, it would be best if we were to meet at someplace neutral—like this event—and see if we hit it off before planning dinner dates.
Alice was fairly new to book club, but I was starting to like her and the way she thought.