Page 29 of Just One Spark

"Two too many," she said, but a smile played on her lips.

I looked over her head at the roomful of family and friends who'd gathered to celebrate us."I think you're starting to enjoy my family and our events."

Her nose wrinkled."They're a lot."

"They take some getting used to, but I have a feeling you're going to like them eventually."

She rested her arms around my neck instead of dancing more formally like we had the other night."I like them.But they're not mine.You know what I mean?This whole thing isn't real."

With her chest pressed against mine, my heart stuttered.It was hard to remember what we were talking about."You know, we could have stayed friends, and then my family would have taken you in like they did my siblings' friends."

"That wouldn't be right though.I have my mom.She might not be as perfect as your family, but she’s all I have."

My heart ached for her.She felt like my family was better compared to hers.I could see why she would think that because my father wasn't addicted to alcohol But it didn't make my family better or worse."Family is more than just blood.It's your friends and extended family too.Found family, if you will."

She looked away, as if thinking about something she thought she couldn't have was too painful."I'm fine with the one I was given."

I was fairly sure that wasn't true.I suspected she'd go back and change things if she could."You know your father loved you.The addiction was stronger."

Her eyes shone with tears."I don't talk about this with anyone."

I held her closer, allowing her to tuck her head against my chest."I'm sorry.I shouldn't have said anything."

I heard her sniffle, and my heart squeezed.I was an idiot for bringing up her father's addiction at our engagement party.Fake or not, it wasn't the right time.I held her through another song until she lifted her head and looked more composed.

"You want to get a drink?There are heaters on the patio so guests can enjoy the snow coming down."

Her lips tipped up."That sounds lovely."

I gestured toward the door."I'll grab us some drinks and meet you out there."

Hattie moved in that direction, and I stopped by the bar.

Malcolm turned to face me."You still focused on the brewery?"

"Of course I am.Why would you question it?"I asked, bristling at his suggestion that my focus wasn't solely on the brewery.Yeah, Hattie was in my life, and only she and I knew that it wasn't a real relationship, but it felt like an overstep on his part.What business was it of his?

"Remember your responsibilities," Malcolm said as he walked away.

Irritation bubbled to the surface.The brewery was my part of the business.Everyone got a say in decisions, but now that we'd decided to go forward with the project, it was really mine and Beck's.No one else's opinion mattered in the day-to-day.They were only involved when we were deciding whether to open it on the property with the brew bath.

I waited for my drinks and carried them outside where Hattie was curled up on one of the couches, the furthest away from the party.I set the drinks on the coffee table and slid under the throw with her.

"You got spiced hot chocolate?"Her voice was laced with surprise as she grabbed the mug.

"I thought you'd prefer a hot drink, and what’s better than hot chocolate?”

She blew over the steaming liquid."This is perfect.Thank you."

I rested my arm over the back of the couch."I'm sure it's not as good as yours."

She smiled weakly."Mine is missing the kick.What did Malcolm have to say to you?"

I glanced over my shoulder to see her direct line of site to the bar."You saw that, huh?"

"You looked upset with whatever he was saying.Is he mad that we're engaged?"She set her mug down without taking a sip.

"Why would you say that?"I asked, scrambling to figure out why she would come to the conclusion that she was the problem.According to Malcolm, she was the issue, but not in the way she was thinking.