Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
I’ve got a busy day at the brewery tomorrow, and I don’t need Felicity’s love life keeping me awake. But as I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, I can’t help but replay the scene over and over in my mind. There’s a part of me that wishes I could be the one she turns to, the one she smiles at instead of scowls. For now, though, all I can do is focus on my work and try to keep my feelings in check.
The next morning I’m up and out of my house before the sun has completely risen. It’s going to be a long day, and I’m ready for it.
Anya’s booked a party for tonight, so I need to make sure she’s got everything she needs. Callum’s like the general manager of the brewery and restaurant, and I’m his assistant. I make sure day-to-day operations are taken care of. I schedule all employees, minus the kitchen—that’s Griffin’s job, and make sure the ordering of all supplies is taken care of. I do inventory. Handle meetings with liquor reps. Hell, there’s nothing I don’t do.
“How’s everything going in the kitchen?” I ask Griffin, thankful he’s the head chef and runs a tight ship. Griffin’s been a family friend of ours for years. I think he was at our house more than his own growing up. Now he’s just confessed his love for my only sister, Anya, and although it took Callum a little while to be completely on board about their relationship, I couldn’t be happier.
I couldn’t have picked anyone better for my baby sister.
Griffin smiles at me. “Everything’s ready to go.”
We’ve been so busy since we hosted a party for the Mayor and other town officials. We’ve gotten some publicity with the local news stations, and the tourism reports. It’s helped boost sales a lot, even though the actual event had a few bumps and bruises. But in true Atwood fashion, we made sure we pulled the party together in the end, and the Mayor was so happy.
Thank God.
I continue checking on things in the brewery, making sure the iPads at the front hostess stand are charged and ready for the day.
I head into my office, double checking the reservations for the day, and then I head into the brewery.
Brock is there, checking gauges on the barrels, making sure the beer is brewing properly. He gives me a thumb up. “Hey Shep, how’s it going?”
I nod, turning the sound system on with a touch of a button from my phone. “Looking good. We still have that single malt aging?”
Brock nods. “Yeah, hey listen, I was wondering if we could maybe hire somebody to help me out down here. I feel like lately I’ve been running a one-man show down here.”
“I’ll have to check the numbers.” With the pick up of sales, we might be able to add another employee to the brewery department to help Brock out.
When we first opened the brewery, Callum and I would help brew the beers, but now we’re just too busy to even make a single batch of anything.
Callum works more hours than me, and even he doesn’t have the time to help out. Our cups are running to the brim.
“I was thinking about seeing if Tripp wants to help out. He’ll be graduating soon, and maybe he’ll want to come on full time here,” Brock says.
Tripp, our youngest brother, works at the brewery helping out here and there. Mainly running food and bussing tables.
“Yeah, I’ll ask him. I’ll check with Callum too.”
I start to walk away, but Brock stops me in my tracks with his next words.
“Millie told me that she heard Helena’s daughter is pregnant.”
I shrug. “So? Who’s that?”
Brock nods at me. “Isn’t Helena’s daughter your neighbor? Felicity, something or other.”
“Felicity’s pregnant?” I say out loud, although my voice sounds muffled. Like I’m speaking to him under water.
Brock shrugs. “I guess she’s pretty serious with that guy. They’re going to have a baby.”
I shake my head, trying to clear my head. Is this true?
“Who’s pregnant?” Anya asks, walking up on our conversation.
“Felicity,” Brock says. “Millie told me. I guess Felicity’s mom was talking about it at book club. She’s due in like August, or September.”
I rub at the back of my neck, trying not to appear to be too affected. “That’s cool for them.” I want to flee from this conversation. My eyesight is narrowing and my breathing is heavy. Like I can’t catch my breath.
What the hell is wrong with me?
Why can’t I fucking breathe? So what? Felicity and her stupid boyfriend, or fiancé, or whatever are going to have a baby together.
They’ll be a happy family.
Who cares? Not me.
My mood sours when my mind flashes with a fantasy of Felicity carrying my child. Her and I raising a family together.