Page 109 of Why Not Now?

He doesn’t say anything for a moment, so I continue.

“Listen. There’s a risk in partnering with a business you don’t know, so why don’t you come check us out? We’ve started a new event on Friday nights this winter and spring. We’re calling them Date Nights. This Friday we’re doing cooking. I think Lis, our chef, is doing a class on Asian food. Next Friday, we’re hosting a paint night with Adalie, our human resources coordinator and another part owner. You and your brother can both come out. Bring dates if you want. On us.”

The man taps the edge of the card against the bar top. “Four free admissions?”

“Cost of doing business,” I say with a shrug.

I wait as he considers. Ava slides her arm around my waist, leaning into me. I know she wants to go as much as I do. I want nothing more than to take her home and strip her naked. My arm comes around her, holding her close.

“Is the paint night adults only?” he finally asks.

I arch a brow. “No. My sister-in-law will be there. She’s sixteen. Another friend is bringing his niece this Friday. We usually serve alcohol to everyone, but if you wanted to bring a minor, we’d just make a note. Who were you thinking?”

“My daughter. She likes painting.”

“That’s perfect. Bring her. And I meant it about your brother, too. If he’d be interested.”

The man taps the card again. “All right. I’ll talk to Taylor. I’m Nate Sinclair.”

He reaches out his hand and we shake. “It’s nice to meet you, Nate. Hopefully, we can develop a good business relationship. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to take my fiancée home.”

Ava and I head out to my car.

“What was that about?” she asks.

“You heard. I liked that beer. It’s some of the best I’ve had.”

“So, did you just take me there because you wanted to do some business?”

I smile down at her as I open the car door. “I’ve been thinking about which places to partner with for the last few months. I made the decision while we were drinking, figured I could take a couple minutes to get the ball rolling. But I’m done, and for the rest of the night, I’m going to focus on you.”

“Starting when?”

I kiss her, pulling her tight to me. “Why not now?”

The End