Page 32 of Summer Brew

He leans down until his lips brush the shell of my ear. “I’ll be honest with you, the thoughts I’m having are far from good.”

My entire body heats and before I even know what is happening, I’m being ushered out of the space and told to celebrate with my man. Gary grimaces and doesn’t look at us directly, but he doesn’t tell me to stay away from his best friend. He doesn’t tell Keaton to stay away from his sister.

When we get to his truck, he lifts me up and puts me in the seat before stepping closer. I spread my thighs and he closes whatever distance between us remained.

“I’m so proud of you, my Gem,” his words are soft and they brush against my skin delicately, as if he’s afraid I’ll reject them.

“Thank you for helping me,” I try to keep the emotion out of my voice, but the words still come out thick.

“Move in with me,” he blurts.

My eyes snap up to him and his eyes widen slightly. Did he not mean to say them? The thought is not comforting at all.

“I’m serious,” he adds, as if he can read my mind and my doubts. “I’ll make room in my brew space for yours. Or I can build you a separate space, like a brew shed instead of a she shed?”

I’m unable to hide my surprise as my jaw drops open and my eyes practically bug out of my head. “Don’t you think this is moving too fast or going in the wrong order or something?”

Keaton’s eyebrows pull together and I can almost see the way he’s replaying his words. Replaying everything.

When he focuses on me again, the determination in his eyes makes my breath hitch.

“I love you, Gemma,” he breathes out the words, but they still hold a tremendous amount of weight.

My eyes well up with tears, but they don’t fall. “I love you too, Keaton.”

When he kisses me, it’s as if he’s locking his words, his promise, his feelings, into place. I feel every bit of his love for me in the press of our mouths.

“I’ll move in with you,” I murmur against his lips.

His lips curve into a soft smile and I know that I didn’t just get a step closer to the perfect brew this summer, I found love too. Now, I’m never letting it go.

I know Keaton won’t be either.

“You’re mine.” His eyes are filled with possession as he looks down at me before groaning, “I can’t wait to get you home, my Gem.” My giggle fills the truck, and his low chuckle joins me as warmth fills my chest.

This. This is what I’ve been missing for so long, but now it’s mine.

The man.

The brew.

The friends.

The life.

I’ll treasure it. Always.

EPILOGUE

TWO MONTHS LATER

GEMMA

Again, I have butterflies flapping around in my belly because of a tasting. I’ve spent the last two months perfecting my brew and I think this time it’s the one. I’ve been so excited about it being ready. Now, I’m looking forward to the tasting tonight.

Which is why my eyebrows furrow together when I hear voices coming from the event space. I’m not in there to set anything up which means no one should be in there right now.

The moment I step into the room, my eyes widen.