Page 72 of Something’s Brewing

But today was a new day, and she looked forward to whatever this attraction was becoming.

Actually . . . attraction felt like the wrong word now. This felt bigger, warmer, and slightly dangerous in the best possible way. The kind of dangerous that made her want to lean in instead of run.

When she stepped into the kitchen, Garrett stood at the stove wearing faded jeans and a black Northern Lights Brewery T-shirt. One hand held a spatula.

He glanced over his shoulder and smiled. “Good morning, beautiful. How’d you sleep?”

Beautiful. He said it so naturally, like he’d been calling her that for years instead of this being the very first time.

She sat on the counter stool and smiled back. “Not bad. I’m a little sore, but the ice and painkillers helped.”

His expression softened instantly. “Headache?”

“A little.”

Without another word, he crossed to the freezer, grabbed a fresh ice pack, wrapped it in a towel, and set it gently in front of her before returning to the stove.

Nobody had ever fussed over her like this before. She wasn’t entirely sure what to do with it.

“Hungry?”

“Starving.”

“Good. I made breakfast.” He plated scrambled eggs, two slices of bacon, and buttered toast and slid the plate over to her. “Coffee?”

“Please.”

He added peppermint mocha creamer before filling the mug.

“You remembered,” she said.

Garrett shrugged like it was obvious. “I remember everything you tell me.”

The sincerity in his voice hit harder than the flirtation.

Before she could respond, someone knocked on the door. “That’s Ryker,” he said. “He’s picking me up this morning so you can use my truck.”

He opened the door, and Ryker walked in.

“Hey, Madison, how are you feeling?” Ryker asked. “That’s quite the bruise.”

“I’m fine. Looks worse than it feels.”

Garrett set his keys on the counter. “We’ll be at the brewery. Nick asked if you could stop by the station if you were feeling up to it this morning.”

“I’ll go after I eat, then head over.”

“Take it easy today. You don’t need to work.”

“I’m feeling fine. I’ll be there.”

Garrett moved close to her, lowering his voice slightly even though Ryker was absolutely listening. “Have dinner with me tonight?”

She didn’t hesitate. “It’s a date.”

His smile widened, transforming his entire face.

Something warm settled in her chest. Maybe, finally, they were done pretending this was anything less than what it had become.