Page 11 of Small Town Boy

“Well, above,” she corrects.

I stare at her for a moment, my brain working overtime to make it make sense. She left that cute little cottage to live in the vet clinic?

“Camden Tyler, the town veterinarian, is Sylvie’s boyfriend. They just moved in together,” Willa explains.

“Oh, that makes more sense.” I laugh, thankful that she saw me trying to work that one out.

“Sorry!” Sylvie adds. “Should have led with that. I figured Willa mentioned that when she told you about the cottage. Anyway, are you all settled in?”

“For the most part. My place in Boston wasn’t very big, so there wasn’t much to move. There’s a lot more cottage than I have stuff.”

“Oh, give it time,” Kenzie says, taking a sip of her drink. “You’ll fill it all fast enough, and then it’ll be time to move and you’ll wonder why you have so much shit.”

“You must be the new gal!” a bearded, blue-eyed guy says, appearing across the bar from me. “What can I get you to drink?”

“Diet Coke?”

“Nope. We’re a taproom, so we don’t have a full bar,” he says. Nodding over his shoulder to a list of what appears to be beer names written on a chalkboard, he continues. “Just those listed there.”

“Milo, get the girl a Diet Coke. What would Gus say if he knew that you were denying our new marketing director a drink?” Willa says, her face turned into an almost sneer.

“Oh, it’s not that big of a deal, I—” I start, but the bartender cuts me off.

“He’d understand since I don’t fucking have any.” I lurch backward, surprised by the snark in his voice. “Pretty sure accounting would back me up in not keeping any on hand either, since we aren’t a full bar.”

Willa purses her lips, clearly unhappy that he makes a very good point. Still, I’m left confused by the whole interaction.

“Bronwyn, hi, I’m Milo,” he says, turning back to me and outstretching his hand. “Hayes child numero dos, owner/operator of Southern Brothers Brewing, and all-around little sister tormentor. Nice to meet you. And, if you’re looking for non-alcoholic options, I’ve got water and the lemonade that we use to mix the shandy.”

“Hi! It’s nice to meet you too.” I shake his hand, looking closer at him now and seeing the resemblance to Willa. His hair is darker, with a natural wave, one errant piece falling over his forehead. “Gus has told me great things about your operation, and about Rose, the gal who’s been doing all your promo. I can’t wait to sit down with you guys and hear about everything you have in the works. And lemonade works.”

“One lemonade coming up!” He turns to go, only after sticking his tongue out at Willa. She retaliates in the same fashion, and the rest of us can’t help but laugh.

“Don’t worry, there are four more that you still get to meet,” she tells me. “And Hayes is a family affair, so you will get to meet all of them.”

“I’m an only child, so I can’t even wrap my head around six older brothers.”

“It was something…”

“She loves it, don’t let her tell you otherwise,” Kenzie says, her voice hushed and conspiratorial. “You’re gonna love them all though. They really are great guys.”

“Single too,” Sylvie adds.

“Oh, well, I’m not…” I trail off, trying to figure out how to best word the rest of that statement. I’m not sure if Sylvie’s comment was just informational or if she has some weird motive, but I don’t want to be rude in shaking it off.

“Single?” she finishes for me.

“No, I am single. Dating just isn’t on my priority list. I’m focused on my career right now.”

There we go. Nice and simple. It’s the truth too. My career has always come first—something I don’t see changing anytime soon.

“Don’t say that too loud around here. The Hickory Hills rumor mill is alive and well, and information like that would feed it for weeks. Not to mention, some of the women in this town will make it their personal mission to pair you off with someone,” Kenzie tells me. “They’ve been itching for a good story too. Been a bit of a slow month.”

“Has not,” Willa interjects. “KatieRae Gates—err, Michaels—brought the babies down from Atlanta. Emily Barrowcliff applied for some summer in France program. Cary Adler made out with the chocolate vendor at Rhythm and Brews! I would not call that a slow month. Plus, Kenzie, your wedding is more than enough to fuel them well into next year.”

I nod, trying to follow along as if I actually know all the players and why those events are significant. The only one that really makes any sense is Kenzie planning her wedding. This I can contribute to.

“I know we don’t really know each other, but if you need help with wedding stuff, I’m here. I’ve never actually planned a wedding, but I’m pretty decent with graphics if you need an invite or anything designed.”