“Fine. You’re off speakerphone. Now my ear is going to get sweaty from holding the phone up to it. No one holds their phones up to their ears anymore, Sean.”
Sean blew out air and ran a hand through his hair. “It’s hard to believe that I’m the younger one in our friendship. Now, moving on, I need some advice.”
“Let me guess. You met someone, but they have a kid, and that’s not your thing.”
“I did meet someone, and when you say it like that, it makes me sound like a jerk. I don’t know if she has any kids. If she did, it wouldn’t be the first time I dated someone who had one.”
“Right. You did date that one girl, Bethany?” Jasper was almost sure he had the name right.
“Yes, that was her. Anyway, kids are fine. For other people.”
“I get it. Although, I think someday I might not mind a Jasper Jr. running around the brewery.”
“I don’t know if Marley Creek could handle a mini you. Now, can I tell you about what happened today?” Sean explained meeting Nicole and how she had turned him down.
“I’m telling you, Jasper, I felt a connection! I know she did too, but she turned me down.”
“True, she did. She also said no when you suggested having a breakfast worth eating, right? Maybe she’s someone who says no first to anything new or fun?”
Sean grinned from ear to ear, “Just when I think you’re just a pretty face, you surprise me with amazing perceptiveness.”
Jasper ignored the compliment. “I’ve got a great face and a body to match. I work out and I count all my macros. I tote kegs on a daily basis. When I pull a tap, my muscles ripple. I’m the whole package.”
“Alright, alright, easy there. I was trying to thank you for the advice. Like I was saying, in addition to your ugly mug, you’ve got a brain hiding in there. I think you might be right. Since when have you been able to read women so well?”
“Actually,” Jasper began, but Sean cut him off.
“Buddy, I’ve got to run and get ready for a wedding shower. Thanks for the insight. I know what I’m going to do.”
“Wedding shower? Send the maid of honor my way. They’re always looking for attention and I have plenty to give.”
Sean laughed, “Sometimes I don’t know when you’re kidding or when you’re serious. That’s a good one, Jasp. Plenty to give.”
“But, I’m ser-“
Sean hung up the phone and shoved it in his back pocket. Time to get back to work, and tomorrow he could figure out how to approach Nicole.
Chapter Three
NICOLE
Nicole poured a cup of coffee into her favorite mug and walked outside to sit on her porch so she could soak in the cloud-free fall day. She’d long held the opinion that this was the best time of year in Marley Creek. Aside from her time at college, she’d lived her whole life here, and she had no desire to live anywhere else.
Anytime she wanted to be in a world-class city, all she needed to do was hop on the train that ran through the middle of town, and in ninety minutes she’d be in downtown Chicago. Anytime she felt like a Target run, she only needed to drive twenty minutes and she’d be in a suburb surrounded by every chain store or restaurant a person could ever need.
Thanks to the commuter train, Marley Creek had avoided the sad fate of small towns all over the Midwest. Here, they’d managed to keep the small local businesses afloat in a world of online ordering because Marley Creek catered to weekenders from the city. First, it was the yuppies—with their flipped-upcollars and disposable income—who came for the annual August art fair that was now celebrating its thirty-ninth year. Then, there was the annual Marley Creek Marathon that began in the year two-thousand. A few years ago, Jasper Kane opened Hop’s Heaven, and Marley Creek was now part of the Illinois Craft Brewer Guild Passport Program.
Unlike most breweries, Marley Creek had built-in public transportation from anywhere in the city right to their door. Nicole had only been to Hop’s Heaven a couple of times, but she appreciated how the influx of guests kept other unlikely businesses open. How many other small towns had an art gallery devoted to stained glass, two record stores, as well as a make-your-own-ramen shop? And then there was Zaina’s shop, New Age Stones and Witch Crafts.
Zaina and Nicole had been friends since second grade when Scott Micos wouldn’t stop calling Nicole ‘Icky Nicky’ and Zaina put a hex on him using a G.I. Joe. She told Scott if he didn’t leave Nicole alone, she’d break G.I. Joe’s arm and Scott would feel pain every time he played baseball.
From that moment on, Zaina and Nicole had been thick as thieves. That’s why on this beautiful Sunday, Nicole was going over to Zaina’s shop to help her unpack her inventory order and restock the shelves for the fall season. In return for helping, Zaina offered Nicole free tarot card readings, but ever since she’d been diagnosed with breast cancer, the last thing Nicole wanted to know was the future. At this point, she had a dozen free tarot IOUs sitting around. That didn’t matter though. She helped Zaina because she enjoyed spending time with her best friend, and helping Zaina with her dream business always made her feel good. As Zaina frequently said, her store had good vibes.
Nicole refilled her coffee cup and poured a high fiber, high protein cereal into a bowl with almond milk. She ate a spoonful of the cereal, and it was so hard she was afraid she was goingto break a tooth. She tried one more bite and threw out the rest of the cereal. She rummaged in her refrigerator until she found a slightly wrinkled apple. Nicole stared at it before taking a bite and wished she was back in front of the Denver omelet Sean had made for her yesterday. “Sean,” she said his name out loud to the room, seeing how it felt on her tongue. Maybe she should have agreed to meet for tea.What could it hurt?Her phone buzzed with a text.
Z: Ready? I’m out front!
Nicole texted back, then put her phone in her back pocket, and headed out to Zaina’s waiting car.
