Page 89 of Something’s Brewing

Garrett let out a humorless laugh. “Why else would you be here?”

Nick nodded once, like he expected that. “I get it,” he said. “From everything you’ve told me about the decision her dad’s asking her to make, I’m not surprised she’s struggling with it.”

Garrett didn’t argue.

“Think about it,” Nick went on. “What if Mom and Dad had treated Chloe like she was less than because she’s a woman?”

There was no need to answer; their parents would never have done that.

“We grew up knowing we had choices,” Nick said. “Every one of us. They supported whatever path we took—even when it wasn’t what they would’ve picked.”

Cole leaned against the counter, arms crossed, listening.

Nick continued, steady and sure. “They paid for your college. And when you walked away from that to open a brewery? They didn’t fight you. They told everyone how proud they were.”

Garrett swallowed.

“They supported Chloe with the boutique,” Nick continued, holding Garrett’s gaze. “Cole with the resort. Hell, we all sat around the table and talked about the future like it belonged to all of us. No one got cut out. Madison didn’t have that.”

“I know,” Garrett said, dragging a hand through his hair.

“Do you?” Nick pressed. “Because from what you’ve said, she had a plan. A good one. And it got taken from her before she even had a chance to try.”

“I get it, Nick.”

“Then act like it.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” Nick said calmly, “you don’t get to make this about you.”

Cole winced slightly and said under his breath, “There it is.”

Garrett straightened. “I’m not⁠—”

“You are,” Nick cut in. “You’re hurt she left. You’re frustrated she didn’t choose you or this town right away. I get that. But that doesn’t mean she’s wrong.”

Garrett opened his mouth, then closed it again. Because . . . damn it. It was true. He was being an ass because he didn’t want to get hurt again. But this wasn’t about him.

“She’s trying to figure out what this offer means,” Nick said. “Not just for her career—for her life. And whether or not she can trust it.”

“She doesn’t trust her dad,” Garrett said quietly, looking down at the bottle in his hand.

“No,” Nick agreed. “But she still wants him to see her.”

“I know.” Garrett exhaled slowly, tension pulling at his shoulders. “I just don’t want her to get hurt.”

“That’s the part that matters,” Nick said.

Garrett looked up.

“If you care about her,” Nick continued, “you let her make this decision. And you support her—no matter what she chooses.”

Even if she makes the wrong choice? The words didn’t need to be said out loud. Garrett nodded.

Cole pushed off the counter then, stepping in. “Okay, great. Emotional breakthrough. Love that for us.”

Nick chuckled softly.