‘A sour ale. They’re getting really popular so Gina and I are each making one.’ He looks at Mia. ‘You sure you don’t want to try it?’
‘Here, have a taste,’ I say, offering Mia the glass.
‘I’d rather not.’ She smiles at Sawyer. ‘I’m sure it’s good. I just don’t like to drink during the school year. My brain works better without alcohol.’
‘When are you done with school?’ he asks.
‘My classes are already done, but I have to turn in assignments next week. Then I have a week off before graduation.’
‘Another reason for you to come to the wedding,’ Sawyer says. ‘You’ll be done with school and can drink all the free beer you want.’ He smiles. ‘I’m supplying the beer. Nick’s getting wine and my girlfriend Gina’s bringing her hard cider.’
‘It won the hard cider competition last fall,’ I tell Mia. ‘Sawyer entered too, but he didn’t win.’
‘You just love bringing that up, don’t you?’ Sawyer says to me.
I laugh. ‘Just trying to keep your ego in check.’
‘Gina does plenty of that. I don’t need you doing it too.’ He glances back at the bar. ‘I need to go help out. We’re getting slammed.’ He looks back at Mia. ‘Good meeting you. Hope to see you at the wedding.’ He takes off.
‘He doesn’t give up, does he?’ Mia says with a laugh.
‘My whole family’s that way. Always trying to set me up.’ I take a drink of my beer. As I’m setting it down, I see my parents coming into the brewery, with Nick right behind them. ‘Great,’ I mutter.
‘What’s wrong?’ Mia asks, following my gaze to the door. My mom sees me and waves. ‘Do you know her?’
‘Yeah,’ I say with a sigh. ‘That’s my mom, with my dad and my brother Nick.’
‘Is that a problem?’
‘Kind of. I just wanted to come here and have a beer, not hang out with my family. How did they know I’d be here? Did Sawyer tell them?’
‘Do you want to leave?’
‘No. I mean, we can if this is going to make you uncomfortable.’
‘Not at all. I’d love to meet them!’
‘Can we join you?’ Mom asks, stopping at our table. She’s smiling as her eyes bounce between Mia and me.
‘Go ahead,’ I tell her.
Nick and my parents remain standing at the end of the table, all three of them looking at Mia.
‘And who do we have here?’ Dad says, smiling at her.
‘I’m Mia,’ she says, smiling back. ‘I’m a friend of Jason’s.’
‘We met at Noah’s wedding,’ I say.
Nick extends his hand to her. ‘Nice to meet you. I’m Nick, Jason’s brother.’
‘The one getting married.’
‘Yeah, it’s coming up fast. Lyndsay, my fiancé, is having her bachelorette party tonight so I tagged along with the parents and ruined their date night.’
Mom shakes her head. ‘You didn’t ruin anything. We love having you join us. And now we get to see Jason too.’
‘Did you already have your bachelor party?’ Mia asks Nick.
