Page 62 of Just One Spark

I stretched my neck."Hattie knows that I've been busy, since the brewery's opening next week."

He raised a brow."You don't want your fiancée to be alone on Christmas Eve, do you?I can't imagine she'd feel great about that."

I stood, trying to get the kinks out."You're probably right."

He nodded."Enjoy the evening with Hattie."

"I will."But my gaze kept flicking to the spreadsheets on my screen.

He hesitated in the doorway."I've learned that business can wait.We've done everything we can do for now."

"I'll see you tomorrow at Mom and Dad's?"I asked him.

He nodded."My sister's in town too."

"It will be nice to see her again."

"She's excited to talk to Clara about her store.The online shop has really expanded this year."

"That's great."Eventually, I'd be able to do the same.The only thing was that breweries took longer to get into that safe zone, and Clara had taken the store over from our grandmother.The shop was already established, and the online store was a natural extension of that success.

"When I look back on where I was last year"—he shook his head—"I'm just grateful that I got my head on straight and realized what I wanted out of life.I was constantly traveling from one place to the other, never putting down roots.I was willing to walk away from Clara rather than to stay and deal with my feelings for her."

"You're settled now," I said, wondering why he was bringing this up now.

His expression was pensive."I just don't want you to make the same mistakes I did."

I tensed."I'm engaged to Hattie.I know what I want."

He looked at me like he didn't quite believe me."That's good."

"I promise I won't stay much longer."I just wanted to take one more look at the numbers.Then I'd feel better about leaving.

"Don’t work too late."He patted the doorway, then turned and walked away.

I sank into my chair to check my phone.Hattie had messaged me hours ago to ask when I'd be home.I hadn't seen it when she sent it.I sent her a text.

Rowan: Still working.

I'd work a little longer, then see her at home.

I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I knew, my head was resting on my folded arms over the desk.

My laptop screen had gone dark, and the clock on the wall said it was eleven.I hadn't meant to work this long.Would Hattie be upset with me?

We didn't have any plans.

I closed my laptop, tucking it into my bag.I could probably find time tomorrow to take a look at the numbers again.I grabbed my jacket and my bag, locking up.

I walked home, wishing I'd left when Beck did.Why had I thought I could work longer without falling asleep?

Hattie was going to be upset.That was the last thing I wanted.I only had another week with her before the fake arrangement was over.I thought I'd have time to convince her that we should continue to date.But I wasn't doing a good job of that by working all the time.

The timing on this relationship wasn't ideal.It was only supposed to last until the brewery opened.But I'd be even busier once that happened.I wanted the business to be successful, and I wanted a chance to prove to Hattie that what I felt for her was real.I just wasn't sure both were possible.

At home, the porch light was on, and a lamp in the living room glowed softly.There was a note on the counter about food in the fridge.But I wasn't hungry.

I wanted to get to Hattie.