Page 30 of Just One Spark

"I'm sure it came as a surprise to everyone, and I'm not exactly the kind of girl your family sees you with."Her voice was matter-of-fact, but I was even more confused.

I frowned."Are you saying I'm not good enough for you?"

She shook her head, her brow furrowed."Not at all.It's the other way around.You're small-town royalty.Your family owns several successful businesses, and I'm just the town drunk's daughter."

I sucked in a breath at her harsh words."I've never thought of you like that, and no one else ever has either."

She frowned."You can't know what everyone is thinking."

"I can say what I think, and I definitely have never thought that about you.Your dad struggled with a disease, and you're his daughter.But that's not all of who you are."

She dropped her gaze."I'm sorry.I was just—I was worried that Malcolm warned you away from me, and if so, that's understandable.I can step aside if this engagement is making things worse for you."

Since Hattie was jumping to crazy conclusions, I decided just to tell her the truth."He thinks I'm losing focus because he assumes I'll be spending a lot of time with you.As if you can't have a relationship and run a business."

"Is that what he thinks about himself?He can't be a good dad and have a relationship?He can't run the restaurant and be involved with a woman?"

"I mean, he's never said so before, but I suppose that makes sense.He certainly hasn't been serious with anyone in a long time."If he was dating anyone, he kept it quiet.It appeared that he was solely focused on his business, and maybe he wanted me to do the same.It was fine when we were single but not now."It sounds like he needs to deal with his own issues and not project them onto me."

"Maybe he's onto something.We wanted to keep the focus on the brewery, but I'm creating more drama in your life that you don't need.You're getting up early to clear the lane of snow and stopping by at night to help me pack up.It's not necessary.You should be focused on the brewery and not me."

I grunted, because I hated that she might be right."Malcolm doesn't get to dictate my relationship."

"But this isn't a real relationship.You can spend more time on the business.I promise I can handle the truck.I've been doing it for a while on my own."

I raised a brow."You'll call if you need me?"

"If it means you'll get more time to work on your business, then yes.I don't want to create problems for you."

"Don't worry.You're not.But I'll make some adjustments to get Malcolm to back off.Once the brewery is open, I can relax and focus on what really matters."Hattie was right.I had gone out of my way to help her when it wasn't exactly necessary.

The snow fell around us, and the only light was a string of them that hung above us, creating a magical feeling."It's so beautiful out here."

She was talking about the snow, but I was watching her face.Her eyes were bright with wonder, and her lips were curved into a relaxed smile.This was what I wanted for Hattie.I wanted her to be happy.

I didn't want her to be weighed down from her past or consumed with thoughts of what people thought about her and her family.I wanted her to let go, even if it was only for one night.

I'd like to think that I was special, that I was different from everyone else in her life.But I was just a blip.Once the brewery was open, our engagement would be over.There wouldn't be a need to pretend anymore.And the fact that I was falling for her more every day would need to be dealt with.Because I was almost one hundred percent positive that there wasn't a place for me in Hattie's life.

She didn't see me as someone she could be with.That kiss was feeling further away every day.It was probably an anomaly, or I was remembering it wrong.It clearly hadn't affected her.I had to follow her lead.

For now, I'd focus on the brewery and showing Malcolm that I was serious about this new endeavor.This thing with Hattie could wait.

10

Hattie

Itold Rowan he needed to focus on the brewery, but I'd grown used to his evening visits.He'd hang out inside the truck, talking or helping me clean up.I enjoyed his company.

Now he was working longer hours, and I rarely saw him.During the day, the guys were getting the space ready to open, and in the evening, he met with Beck to review projections and the plans for the grand opening.

I wasn't involved in any of it, and I felt lonely.I was getting to know him, but now I was by myself.He wasn't home to cook dinner, so I'd tried to take over that role, preparing a covered dish for him and keeping it in the fridge with a Post-it just like he'd done for me on many occasions.

Every morning, the plate was in the dishwasher.But there wasn't a corresponding note of thanks.I missed him, which was ridiculous because the whole purpose of pushing him away was to spend less time with him.

I'd wanted him to take a step back from our fake relationship, but now I regretted that decision.When the brewery opened, we'd stage our breakup and go our separate ways.There wouldn't be any more making meals together or late-night talks about our dreams.

Business was picking up between the holiday shopping season and the opening date for the brewery quickly approaching.