Page 36 of Something’s Brewing

Not flashy or overly designed, but warm, grounded, and beautiful in its simplicity. The same style as the brewery’s redesign, now that she thought about it.

Timber beams stretched across the ceiling, contrasting with soft white walls. Floor-to-ceiling windows looked out onto the lake, where the soft gold of sunset was reflecting off the water and filtering in through the black-trimmed panes.

A stone fireplace stood tall to the left, flanked by art that looked thoughtfully placed rather than trendy. The furniture was masculine but not bulky—natural tones, clean lines, leather, wood, and iron. And on the far wall hung a large framed photo of Garrett and his family on the beach. All of them barefoot, sun-drenched, and smiling.

She turned slowly. “Okay, I’m impressed.”

He shrugged, opening the fridge. “I had help.”

“Still,” she said. “You have taste.” She should have known. He was good at this. Garrett Reid had vision, even if he didn’t always flaunt it.

“Alexis Welby remodeled it before she and Zeke started their show,” he said, pulling out a glass bowl of pasta salad. “Maggie, Roman’s sister, did most of the final design work.”

Madison took a seat at the island, resting her elbows lightly on the counter as he retrieved two bowls and started scooping.

“So, do you like living right on the beach?” she asked. “Or does the whole busy-resort thing get old after a while?”

“Summer gets loud. Lots of tourists, but I like being close to town.”

“Would you ever build a house?”

“I have a parcel of land given to me by my grandparents, and I’ve had a house plan drawn up for a while, thinking I might have kids someday.” He shrugged. “But it never happened. Right now, the condo suits me fine.”

He placed utensils on the counter and slid the bowl to her.

“I take it you don’t cook?” he asked.

“I can cook the basics, sure. But no, I’ve never been a cook or baker, for that matter. Sophie had a live-in nanny, and cooking was a requirement.”

“That’s impressive.”

“That’s the only way I could be an agent and a single mom.”

“Nice. So, what do you miss most now that you’ve been shoved into a small town?”

“Chinese food!”

Garrett laughed. “That was a very quick answer and one I didn’t expect.”

“What can I say.” Madison shrugged. “I’ve been deprived. Now, let me ask you something.”

“Shoot.”

“Are you always this calm before a big launch?” she asked, studying him.

He gave a quiet chuckle. “Not really. But it’s different this time. It’s my hometown.”

“Which makes it easier?”

“I think? A little.” He grimaced.

She glanced toward the family photo. “Are they all coming to the soft opening?”

“Not Cole,” he said. “He’s still in Hawaii.”

“There are four of you, right?”

“Yeah,” he said, leaning against the counter. “Nick’s the oldest—you’ve met him. Then me, Cole, and Chloe—she’s the baby. Only thirteen months between her and Cole. Those two were pretty tight growing up.”