Me:Well, she talked about Maggie wearing her dress, so yeah, about like that.
Emma:Hell, no. They got married in the late 70s. Just, no.
I raised an eyebrow while considering my sister’s text. Unless she knew something I didn’t, the fact that my mom’s dress was beyond dated would have been the least of reasons that Maggie wouldn’t want it, much less want me.
Jake reappeared and collapsed into his stool. “Needed to change out a keg. Thinking our new brew will be able to go soon?”
I nodded, thinking of where we were in the process. “A week or so.”
Jake ran a hand through his short hair. “Okay, man. I have a ton to check off before the dinner crowd tonight. Several parties are descending on us. Thrilled about the kid. Anything else?”
I stalled, taking a drink of my beer. Fuck, this was going to hurt. But it was like a Band-Aid, right? Better to just rip it off. Meeting his eyes, I said the words I dreaded, “We need to hold off on the loan.”
Jake was mid drink and froze, his eyes finding mine, then narrowing. Slowly, he put his glass down. “Repeat that?”
I dropped my head, my eyes not even focusing on the old wood tabletops. It was too hard to meet his eyes. “I don’t want to sign off on the loan on Monday.”
Silence. Laughter came from the table to our right. Daryl called out to our hostess to our left. Music filled the background, but I couldn’t even focus on the song or band. I hated disappointing people, and letting down the ones I was closest too was even worse, but this was the right call.
Gathering some courage, I lifted my head. Jake’s expression was a mixture of anger and hurt. “I’m sorry, Jake. We thought this was the next logical step, but I think we need to get a bit more in savings, have some time where we’re comfortable and not stretched so thin, then we can go ahead.”
Jake stood, not breaking eye contact, and leaned in so I could hear his low voice over the growing noise around us. “Bullshit, Sullivan. You and I both know what this is. You’re afraid. Maggie Jameson has thrown you for a loop, and you’re pulling back, playing it safe. And that would be fine, if we weren’t already doing great. This is the smart step, the next step for us, and until twenty-four hours ago, you knew that too.” He took a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling, trying to gather some patience before meeting my gaze again. “This is a huge mistake, a great loan and a damn amazing opportunity for us.” He shook his head and pushed back from the table before leaving with a parting shot, “But fine. Make all the decisions for us. I’m just not going to sit here and listen to you spin these crap excuses into gold. I have better things to do.” With that, he stalked off toward the tanks.
Damn. That could have gone better.
8
Secrets Uncovered
Maggie
Running the trails at Highland Woods was exactly what I needed this morning. Last night Emma and I had stopped by the brewery for a while. Sully, Jake, and Max had been there. It was like one more in-your-face moment proving that my life was heading for a dramatic change. First, things with Sully were awkward for all involved. We weren’t together romantically but were having a baby. How do you address that? He and Jake had been off too, which was strange. Then the kicker… no beer, no tequila, no wine? I mean, I wasn’t a huge drinker, but that was a tough one. On top of that, after I drank my coffee at the Sanctuary on Saturday, which had been delicious, my stomach began to roll at the smell. Surely coffee and I wouldn’t be on the outs for the rest of the pregnancy. That would just be cruel.
Sully had asked if I wanted to leave and find someplace to talk more last night, but I had begged off. What else there was to really say right now. It wasn’t like he could do anything. The deed had already been done, so to say. He’d settled for pulling me aside before I left, asking how I was doing and checking on our appointment time for today. When we’d talked, even for the moment, I’d gotten emotional.
Sully tipped my chin up to meet his eyes. “Hey, hey. What’s going on? I’m sorry, Mags. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
I let my forehead drop to his chest, hating the feelings of weakness that I had right then. “I was just really looking forward to my trip this summer.”
“I have no idea if your trip is a big deal or not. Talk to the doctor tomorrow? I honestly don’t know what is involved at this early stage. Maybe it’s no big deal.” He rubbed my back, trying to soothe me.
I mumbled from my spot pressed into his chest. “But it’s not fair to you if I stay away all summer, right?”
Sully rubbed my shoulders, which felt amazing. “Mags, sometimes you need to put yourself first. We’re not worried about me right now. Let’s just table this until the doctor appointment tomorrow. Then we’ll know better what we’re doing, okay?”
I nodded. We stood there in silence. Then a thought popped into my head. “Oh shit!”
“What?” He asked.
“I sublet my duplex anyway for the summer, and my next lease doesn’t start until August. I have to move out next week.” I thunked my head against his chest multiple times. “What am I going to do?”
Sully cleared his throat. I looked up, and he smiled. “Babe, you’ve got my baby in you. You’re not going to be homeless. If you end up staying in town, you can stay with me.”
“With you?” my voice creaked. “Are you just trying to get me back in your bed?”
Sully put a finger under my chin as he tipped it up to meet his eyes. “Babe, I’m just saying I have an extra room. It is yours anytime you need it. Understood?”
I studied his expression for a moment, then whispered, “Understood.” Leaning forward, I brushed my lips across his, then wrapped my arms around his waist and settled in for a tight hug.
