Page 19 of Temporarily in Love

“Aw, so cute. When are you gonna have one of your own?” Kelly asked.

Nolan and Avery pinned me with very interested looks. That was the second time Kelly had asked me that recently.

“Yeah, Dec. When are you?” Avery asked.

Nolan rolled his eyes. “He’s holding out for Lila.”

I glared at him.

Kelly’s smile got brighter. “She’ll come around, hon.”

I ran a hand down my face. “Um. Yeah, that’s…we dated in high school, that’s not why. I just haven’t found the one yet.”

Kelly beamed at me. “You will, one day. I better go check out the booth and see what my husband has forgotten. Avery, Nolan, congratulations, she’s so cute.”

Nolan puffed out his chest in pride, and Avery had a sly smile across her face. Kelly grabbed Avery’s hand. “Norah would have loved you. It’s clear you make Nolan very happy, and that’s all she would have wanted.”

“Thank you,” Avery whispered.

When Kelly walked off, I pinned a glare at my big brother. “Asshole.”

He scowled back at me. “Don’t swear in front of my baby!”

“She can’t even talk yet!” I argued.

Avery laughed into her paper coffee cup.

Nolan scowled, but Avery leaned up on her tip-toes, and he bent down to meet her in a gentle kiss. Avery had him wrapped around her little finger. It wasn’t even funny.

Avery turned to me. “Is it true, though? Are you holding out for her?”

I shook my head. “Nah. That’s the past.”

Avery pursed her lips. “So why did Gemma text me asking why you literally ran away when Lila showed up?”

I clenched my teeth together. Fucking Gemma, such a tattle tell.

Avery laughed. “Just kidding, she didn’t, but you looked annoyed when you came over. Wasn’t that hard to figure out why.”

“How’s the booth doing?” Nolan asked.

“Fine, but we already ran out of pumpkin beer, so I sent Felix back to get another keg,” I told him.

Nolan bounced Norah against his chest, slowly rocking her to sleep. “Do you think we need to go get more than that?”

“I told Felix to grab whatever else we had ready. We’ll be fine. Enjoy your day off with your family,” I told him sternly.

Avery cocked her head at me. “Declan, you’re all about work-life balance, which is great because I love to see my husband, but do you ever take a day off?”

No. I didn’t. Better to bury myself in managing the brewery than lie awake wondering why I was still alone.

It wasn’t like I didn’t get laid. I did. I just hadn’t in a couple months. I was aware I had a reputation for a ‘good time, not a long time.’ I didn’t ask for that reputation, but I never clicked with anyone since Lila.

“Brewery’s too busy,” I said.

Avery looked at Nolan and then back at me. “You two need to knock that shit off. Everyone needs a break.”

“Okay, Mom,” I said with a roll of my eyes.