Page 144 of Best Kind of Trouble
It’s going to hurt to walk away from a job half done—almost as much as it does not to saythat’s what she said—but Dottie has a point. I nod in agreement. “Yeah.” Glancing at Briar, I say, “We’ve got a party to throw, and a queen to crown.”
“Indeed,” Dottie says, beaming. “Now, come with me.”
“We’ll be right behind you.” I squeeze Briar’s waist. “There’s something I gotta say to my boss.”
“Oh, yes, I wouldn’t want to get in the way of a business meeting,” Dottie replies with a bold smile. “I’ll be just ahead of you, my dears.” She takes several steps down the sidewalk, pretending to be interested in sights she’s seen a hundred times.
I take Briar’s hand and lift it to my lips. “Even if we don’t raise enough money to fix the damage and stay open, it’s worth a try. If nothing else, we’ll have a hell of a going-out-of-business party with our friends.”
She nods fiercely. “If we have to sell, we’ll just start up again smaller. I want to do this with you. I won’t give up the way I did with the jewelry.” Her jaw trembles as she looks back at the brewery. “But I wanted it to be here, dammit. I wanted it to be this place.”
I bend down to give her a soft kiss. “Remember, I’m Mr. Miracle. Don’t discount the possibility that we might get another one tonight.”
“You don’t believe in miracles.”
I smile against her lips. “I got you to give me the time of day. I have new appreciation for them.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
BRIAR
Text conversation with Dad
My rules have gone missing. Do you know anything about that?
I don’t know what you’re talking about. Do YOU happen to know why the brewery flooded last night?
Of course not.
Maybe a pipe burst. It WAS cold last night.
But even if there’s damage, it won’t impact the deal.
They’ll be renovating the whole building.
It’s a good time to sell.
Goodbye, Dad. Feel free to come by later. We’re having a bonfire. We have plentyof firewood. ;-)
The sight of all that standing water broke something inside of me. I still don’t believe the party is going to happen. I’m pretending for Liam’s sake. But when we arrive at Tea of Fortune, I’m shocked by all the people who’ve gathered to help us—even Nora’s mom is present, along with Eugene and a few people I don’t recognize.
Hannah, Sophie, and Nora get up as soon as we come in, hurrying forward and gathering around us.
“The doll situation has been taken care of,” Nora says, exchanging conspiratorial smiles with Hannah and Sophie.
“You guys really did it?”
“We can neither confirm nor deny that,” Hannah replies.
Maybe I should feel guilty, but I don’t. I’m grateful they care enough about me to want to defend me—and I’m proud that I finally defendedmyselfthe other night.
“What doll situation?” Liam asks.
Hannah bumps him with her shoulder. “Just because you’re dating my friend doesn’t mean you get to know everything. The doll situation is privileged information.”
“Well, all right. Don’t get your panties in a twist. I don’t actually care.”
“Do you care that we ruined that woman Melly’s day?” Hannah asks, putting a hand on her hip.
