Page 91 of Something’s Brewing

The condo smelled faintly like baby lotion, chamomile tea, and the fresh flowers someone had dropped off earlier that morning. Soft afternoon light filtered through the windows overlooking downtown Minneapolis as baby Andrew slept against Eve’s chest, bundled in a swaddle blanket covered in tiny pine trees.

Madison set a steaming mug of tea on the coffee table before curling into the armchair across from the couch. Mason sat beside Eve, one arm draped protectively along the back cushions, while he looked down at his son like he still couldn’t quite believe he was real.

“You really think I wouldn’t have put your cider on tap?” Mason said. “It’s good, Mads. Better than anything I could’ve come up with.”

Madison blinked at him. “Then why didn’t you?”

Mason glanced at Eve. They’d always had a connection, knew what the other was thinking. Their silent glances and smiles said more than anyone could guess. Madison had been a tiny bit jealous of their relationship, but wasn’t she starting to have that with Garrett too? They could tell when the other was stressed, holding back saying something important, scared, concerned . . .

Eve shifted the baby in her arms, her expression soft but knowing. “Because of what was going on between you and Garrett.”

“What are you talking about?” Madison said, her brows pulling together.

Eve smiled a little, like she’d been waiting for this moment. “Come on, Madison. The gala? The way you talked about that night? It was obvious.”

Madison’s stomach dropped. “You knew Garrett was the one I danced with?”

“Not at first,” Eve said. “But then my friend, who had every intention of dancing with Garrett at the gala, mentioned he’d spent the entire night with a woman in a blue gown and a butterfly mask. Wouldn’t leave her side.” She shrugged lightly. “Didn’t take much to put it together.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was going to,” Eve said gently. “Eventually. But I thought maybe you’d figure it out on your own.”

Mason leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “And if we gave you a reason to stick around . . . spend time together . . .” He gave her a look. “We knew you wouldn’t walk away from a challenge.”

Madison stared at him. “So, you used my cider?”

Mason winced slightly. “Encouraged the situation?”

“Not to hurt you,” Eve added quickly. “Or him. But Garrett needed a push, and you . . .” She smiled softly. “You don’t quit when something matters to you.”

Madison huffed out a quiet, disbelieving laugh, shaking her head. “So Brewfest. The flyer. All of it?”

Mason’s mouth tipped up. “You think that just magically landed in your inbox?”

Madison pressed her lips together, trying not to smile—and failing. “You two are unbelievable.”

Mason brushed a kiss to Eve’s forehead before leaning in to press one to baby Andrew’s tiny head. The room softened around them for a moment. Then he looked back at Madison. “Are you mad?”

She glanced at the baby—so small, so new—then back at her brother. At Eve.

She shook her head slowly. “No. I’m not mad. Just . . .” Her voice caught slightly, and she pressed a hand to her chest. “I didn’t realize how deep I was in until I left.”

Eve’s expression softened even more.

Madison swallowed. “I—I think I’m falling in love with him, and⁠—”

“I’m falling in love with you too.”

Madison’s head snapped toward the doorway.

Garrett stood there, just inside the threshold, like he wasn’t sure he deserved to come any farther. Like the last two days had finally caught up with him. His hair was slightly disheveled, like he’d run his hands through it one too many times, and there was something raw in his expression, something unguarded she’d only caught glimpses of before.

Her pulse quickened. She stood. “How long have you been standing there?” she asked, breathless.

“Long enough,” he said, voice rough.

Mason stood, clapping him once on the shoulder as he passed. “Took you long enough.”