Page 45 of Something’s Brewing

“I didn’t know who to tell,” she admitted. “Elsie or you. But I trust you, Garrett. And I figured if anyone knew this town well enough to help me figure out what’s real and what’s just noise—it’s you.”

“Thank you for trusting me.” His hand brushed over hers before pulling the envelope toward him. “You didn’t have to do this. You could’ve kept your head down, gone back to Minneapolis. But instead, you’re here, protecting a town that doesn’t even realize it needs protecting.”

Her lips curved in a small, vulnerable smile. “I guess I needed something to fight for. This town’s starting to feel like home.”

He swallowed against the tightness in his throat and nodded. “Let’s look through it together. Figure out what you’ve got. If the mayor’s doing what it looks like he’s doing, we’ll make sure he doesn’t get away with it.”

Her shoulders eased. Relief softened her expression, and that smile—gentle, genuine—told him everything. Something had changed tonight. She trusted him. And he’d be damned if he ever gave her a reason not to.

Hours later, the TV hummed softly in the living room, credits rolling across the screen. The couch had become a makeshift bed, and somewhere between conversation and exhaustion, Madison and Garrett had fallen asleep.

Madison stirred first. Her head rested under his chin, one hand splayed across his chest in a way that felt far too natural for two people who weren’t supposed to belong to each other. She blinked, registering how tightly they were curled together.

Carefully, she tried to slide away, one arm pulling back, her body shifting.

“Where are you going?” Garrett’s voice was rough with sleep, low and warm.

She froze. His eyes were half lidded, hazy but fixed on her, and his arm tightened around her waist to keep her close.

“I didn’t mean to wake you,” she whispered. “I was just going to move.”

“You were perfect where you were.”

His hand lifted, brushing a loose strand of hair back behind her ear. The touch was feather-light, sending a shiver straight down her spine. His fingers lingered at the curve of her neck, close enough for her to feel the heat of him everywhere.

“You’re beautiful,” he said softly.

Her breath caught. Wanting flickered in his gaze, raw and unguarded. He didn’t close the distance. He waited.

Madison leaned in, lips meeting his in a kiss that was slow, certain, and devastating in its simplicity. Like she’d been holding her breath since she first met him—and could finally exhale.

He cupped her cheek with one hand, anchoring her against him with the other as they kissed.

And then—his thumb brushed lightly across her bottom lip.

She stilled.

Not because of the kiss. Because of that. That move.

When they parted, breathless, Garrett studied her like she’d rewritten the rules of everything he thought he knew.

“I’ve been waiting a long time to kiss you,” he said quietly.

Her smile was soft, but something deeper flickered behind it. “Me too. I really wanted you to ask me out.”

Garrett let out a breath, his forehead resting briefly against hers. “I couldn’t. You’re Mason’s sister. And the last time I—” He stopped himself, jaw tightening slightly. “I don’t exactly have a great track record with that kind of thing.”

Madison’s fingers lifted to his wrist, stilling him before he could pull away completely. Her thumb brushed lightly over his, right where it had touched her lip.

“That night. The masquerade,” she said softly.

Garrett froze.

“I wasn’t sure,” she continued, searching his face. “But I had a feeling.” A shy smile curved her lips. “I hoped it was you.”

Something in his expression shifted—surprise, then something warmer. Hungrier.

“I wondered if you knew.”