Page 75 of Something’s Brewing

Inside, the hostess greeted them.

“Two for Reid,” Garrett told her.

His hand settled at the small of Madison’s back, guiding her forward. He couldn’t seem to stop touching her, and he didn’t want to.

The waitress arrived with menus and drink options. “Tonight we have a grilled lake trout with au gratin potatoes and broccoli or a pan-fried walleye with baked potato and your choice of salad or green beans.”

“Sounds delicious,” Madison commented.

“Can I get you anything from the bar?” the waitress asked.

“Pinot grigio for me,” Madison said.

“Buffalo Trace,” Garrett said. “Neat.”

When the waitress stepped away, Madison scanned the menu.

Garrett watched her. He couldn’t stop.

She glanced at him, smiling. “Do you already know what you want?”

“Yes,” he said easily. “I’ve known since our first dance.”

She set her menu down slowly, taking a sip of water. Her eyes softened—heated. And just like that, the room narrowed to the space between them.

The waitress returned. “Are you ready to order?”

Madison almost said no. Almost suggested skipping dinner entirely so they could go home and⁠—

“Yes,” she said instead. “I’ll take the lake trout special.”

“Excellent choice. And for you, sir?”

“Same,” he said, and the waitress took their menus and departed.

He leaned back in his chair, bourbon in hand. Not watching the lake, but Madison.

“I’m curious,” she said. “How did you know it was me at the masquerade ball?”

He leaned forward. “I caught a glimpse of your Gemini tattoo when we danced.” He explained how it hadn’t registered at first, how the longer they danced, the more it felt like he knew her before he actually did.

“And when you left,” he said, “even more of the tattoo showed. I had only ever seen one other like it, and that was when Mason was here in Deer Creek Falls and we were jumping off the dock after closing on the armory building.”

Madison lowered her voice. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

Garrett exhaled slowly. “Because I had to be careful. Mason’s my best friend and my business partner. I didn’t want to cross a line I couldn’t come back from. I didn’t want to want you the way I already did.” His gaze drifted briefly toward the lake before returning to hers. “But I never forgot that night. Or the kiss.”

Dinner came and went, but neither of them really noticed. The conversation ebbed and flowed, but the tension never left. It sat there between them—alive, pulsing, impossible to ignore.

When the waitress cleared their plates, she asked, “Would you like dessert? We have a chocolate torte meant for sharing.”

“I’d love that,” Madison said.

“Sounds great,” Garrett agreed. “Thank you.”

The restaurant glowed with warm light. Outside, the lake darkened as the sun dipped low.

They lingered over dinner long after their plates had been cleared, swapping stories about childhood, family, and the embarrassing moments siblings never let each other forget.