Page 77 of Just One Spark

He lifted his screen higher so I could see it.It wasThe Telluride Timesonline."I was hoping there was an article on the opening, but I saw this instead."

The headline read: "Local Brewery Owner Fakes Engagement to Create Buzz about His Grand Opening."The byline was Jane Larson.

"Fuck."I ran my hand through my hair."How did Jane find out?"

Boone slowly lowered his phone."So it's true?You're not engaged to Hattie?"

My jaw tightened as I considered the ramifications of this announcement on opening day.It wasn't good."Not exactly."

"Either you are or you aren't."Boone's voice was rough.

Hattie approached with Jovie, looking from Boone to me."Did you see my text?"

"I've been busy."I gestured at the room around us that was already full.My brain was spinning with the fallout.The grand opening was going to be overshadowed by this side story that shouldn't have anything to do with the brewery.Beck had warned me about negative publicity.It appeared that I'd made a huge error.

"That reporter talked to my mom."That's all she got out before I placed a hand on her lower back and guided her to my office in the back.

I left Jovie and Boone behind, not wanting to talk in front of them.

I closed and locked the door behind us.Then I tried to steady my breath as I turned to face her."What happened?"

"Jane talked to my mom.I have no idea why.She took advantage of a vulnerable lonely woman and got her to admit that we were never dating for real."

We always knew this was a possibility.I didn’t have a problem at first with her telling her mother but I had no idea she’d share that information with a reporter."Why did you tell her?"

"She was so happy for me.I hadn't seen her that interested in something in my life in a long time."Hatte's voice was softer now."I didn't want her to be upset when she found out we broke up."

The fact that her mother was focused on her was a big deal.But I couldn't seem to process that right now."She was the only one who knew about us, and she talked to a reporter."

Hattie flinched at my harsh tone."I talked to Jovie and Meg about it too.But I'm so sorry, Rowan.The last thing I'd ever want to do was hurt you or the brewery."

"It's too late now, isn't it?Everyone's going to be talking about our relationship being a sham and not about how good my beers are."I ran my hand through my hair."Beck warned me about something like this.How it can make or break a business."

"I'm so sorry, Rowan.If I could go back in time and not tell my mom, I would."Hattie was wringing her hands.She was upset.

I should be consoling her.But all I could think about was how my brewery opening was a disaster.That no one was going to be here tomorrow.Or any other day.This was it.Everything we put into this endeavor was a waste."You can't go back in time.What's done is done."

Tears welled in Hattie's eyes."I'm sorry, Rowan.For what it's worth, I?—"

I didn't want to hear what she had to say."You should go.That way Jane can't get any more of the story.I'll tell her that we broke up.That it was real, but we weren't meant to be together.Something like that.It doesn't really matter anyway.The damage is done."

There was something about the last sentence that had Hattie backing away, and her gaze darting to the door."I don't want to cause you any more trouble."

"For some reason, it seems to follow you."I shouldn't have said that.Her father's addiction had nothing to do with her.But I couldn't stop the hurtful words from flying out of my mouth.I was in pain, so everyone else needed to be too.

My world was splintering.All the money and effort we'd put into this place was for nothing.One piece of gossip could take out years of careful plans.

Hattie opened the door and walked out.Why did it feel like she'd taken my heart with her?

For a second, I thought about calling her back.But what would I say?I had to deal with the repercussions, and I needed her far away when I did.

The door opened, and for a second, I thought it was Hattie returning to tell me that I was making a mistake because she was in love with me.That it didn't matter what the reporter said.But it was Beck.

He shut the door behind him and locked it."Is it true?"

"That Hattie and I were never engaged?"I asked dryly.

Beck crossed his arms over his chest.Tonight he was wearing a suit.I hadn't seen him in one in a long time.He'd become more of a flannel-toting guy since he'd decided to move here."Yeah, that."