Page 48 of Just One Spark

This thing seemed harmless when it started, but every day, I only fell deeper.And I was more than a little worried that I was falling in love with him.

15

Rowan

The brewery was busy and a little chaotic.I was serving brews or food in the dining room, then I'd be in the brew bath area answering questions about what was in the water.Everyone wanted to congratulate me on the brewery and the engagement.

I had wanted to create a romantic moment for the proposal, and I thought I messed up.I panicked a little.The speech had been fun, but as I kept talking, it began to feel a little too real.I was having feelings for her.And I was fairly sure she wouldn't return them.Hattie had always been standoffish.She wouldn't let herself fall for me.Not when she worked so hard to keep everyone out.

By the time I realized I'd made an error, I tried to recalibrate in the middle of the proposal, and it was too late.I was fairly sure I bumbled the entire thing.I originally wanted to kiss her, show her how I felt, but I forced myself to keep it to a quick peck on the cheek.

But she'd looked shell-shocked as if she couldn't believe the abrupt shift.I couldn't either.This entire arrangement was starting to make me feel like my brain was split in two.I liked her, but I wasn't supposed to.My focus was on Hattie when it should have been on the brewery.

Then she went home early, and all I wanted to do was follow her, but I couldn't.This was my opportunity to work out the bugs before we officially opened.And Malcolm, with his impeccable timing, called me away as I was talking to her.

It was like he knew when my attention was waning, and he'd pull me back.I hated it, but I needed him on board with the opening.I didn't want any trouble.Malcolm could make my life miserable, and I'd like to avoid that if possible.

I felt torn because I wanted to confirm that Hattie was okay, that I hadn't screwed everything up.But I couldn't leave the brewery early, even if it was only family and friends.By the time everyone was heading out, I was drained.

We knew we had a few things to work on, including employee training.We needed to decide whether we wanted to keep servers exclusively in the bathhouse area, and the dining room, and a separate staff outside when it was warmer.There were so many details to consider and decisions to be made.But tonight, I just wanted to get out of here.We could regroup tomorrow.

Mom and Dad were the last to leave.

"We're so proud of you," Mom said as she hugged me.Then she moved away, and Dad clasped my shoulder.

"This is better than I ever could have imagined.I love how you included Boone's work and the family's history.It's impressive."

"Thanks, Dad."Their words of encouragement meant everything to me.I wanted to make them proud.

"We still have some things to work on," Malcolm said.

I raised a brow."That's my responsibility.You should be focused on the restaurant."

Dad shifted to face him."Don't you have enough going on?You're already working more nights.I wouldn't think you'd have time to work on the brewery too."

"I have a few ideas for how things could run more smoothly," Malcolm said.

His opinion could be valuable."We'll talk another day this week.I'm too tired tonight."

"We're heading out," Dad said.

When everyone was gone, I locked the door behind them.Only Beck and Clara remained inside.

"What do you think?"I asked him, almost afraid of what he'd say.

Beck stood with his hands in his pockets."I think it went well.But this was your family and friends.The real test is when we open to the public.Reporters will be here.Local news stations."

The stress climbed up my spine.There was never a moment to relax.Everything hinged on the grand opening.I couldn't make a bad first impression.

He ran his hand through his hair."I'm exhausted though.Let's meet tomorrow, and we can go over everything.I wrote everything down."

I nodded, grateful for the reprieve."I want to get home to Hattie."

"It's not every day you give a woman a ring."Beck helped Clara put on her jacket.

I was acting like we were engaged, but the truth was a lot more complicated.We were involved but not actually dating?I hadn't expected the proposal to feel so real, and when it did, I panicked.I had no idea what Hattie was thinking.

Tonight, I'd spend time with Hattie, and tomorrow, I'd refocus on the brewery.I had a few short hours with her.Hopefully, she wasn't already asleep.I wanted to talk to her about tonight.