Page 78 of Blue Jeans in Low Beams

Brenna hops up out of my lap, skipping over to Mama to help, taking the sweet tea wordlessly. The bright smile on my mother’s face kicks up a notch, and it’s impossible to miss the look she gives me as Brenna turns back toward the table. As if she’s reading my mind that there’s something special about this one. A lot special.

Right behind Miss Belle is Auggie with the sides, completing dinner. We all settle in, digging into the simple summer meal of chicken salad sliders, with pasta salad, potato salad, fresh sliced tomatoes, and fried okra. If I know my mama, and I do, that’s Helena Wilder’s chicken salad recipe, which means that it’s the best chicken salad in Knox County, if not all of Georgia.

“So, the big test is comin’ up, huh, Brenna?” Auggie asks once we’ve all finished the initial shovel of food into our mouths.

“Wednesday,” she sighs. “Ready or not…”

“You’re ready,” I assure her.

“I’m glad you’re so confident.”

“When will you know the results?” Miss Belle asks.

“Seven to fourteen business days.”

“And what do you need to pass?” Gus asks.

“A seventy-five. Only, that’s not a percent; that’s a score. It’s hard to explain, because it’s scaled…and well, it’s really complex. And actually, all I’ll receive initially is a pass or fail. I can go find out the actual score later, but the initial results are just pass or fail.”

“No pressure,” Ewan mutters.

Brenna nods, taking a big bite of her chicken salad. I can feel the nerves radiating off her, and wish there was something I could do to ease them. She’s been battling them all week, and the only thing I’ve found that takes her mind off the possibility of failing is distracting her—usually with my mouth. Although my dick has done its fair share as well.

Not that I’m complaining.

“I just hope I pass. I’m not sure I can study any more. Plus, I’d really like to start actually making plans for my life.”

“No job offers?” Gus inquires. Because of course he does.

“I have a standing offer with a major box store. There’s a pharmacist shortage in the country right now, so they basically walked into the pharmacy school and offered everyone a job on the spot who wanted one, pending the passing of the NAPLEX. I don’t have any desire to work there. If I go the retail route, I’d prefer something smaller. Some place that I can actually work with people rather than just fill endless prescriptions. But there’s also this smaller, boutique chain based out of Savannah that is looking to open a store on Somerset Island, and they’ve been in touch. That’s also dependent on passing my boards, of course, but it’s nice to know I have options.”

“Word has it that Mr. Hovland wants you to stay here,” Miss Belle comments.

He’s not the only one…

I shake my head, trying to clear the thought. It’s not the first time I’ve had it, but same as before, I dismiss it. I won’t put that on her. It’s part of why I haven’t asked her if she views us as more than a fling. I want her to be able to make any and all choices about her future independent of me. As she should. Brenna needs to chase her dream, in whatever form that comes, without some almost middle-aged beer brewer playing into things.

“He has expressed that opinion…”

“To everyone,” Willa adds. “He felt the need to tell me. Like I have some sway in Brenna’s decision-making process.”

Ahh, small towns…

Hux jumps, whipping his phone from his back pocket. Face contorting, he pushes back, turning away as he answers it.

“Dolly?” Auggie asks.

“Because there is someone else who would make him react like that?” Ewan retorts.

“Like you wouldn’t react the exact same way if Maisey called?” Willa tosses at him, eyebrows raised, a look on her face that says she already knows the answer.

Ewan shifts uncomfortably, the mention of the one who got away like an ice bath to the conversation. “So, Brenna, once you pass, what do you plan to do with all the extra time you have from not studying?”

“Good question. I’ve spent so long in school, I don’t even know. Guess I’ll have to find a new hobby.”

“We could teach you to shoot or fish?” he suggests.

Brenna crinkles her nose, the idea not sitting well. “Maybe something else. Milo also needs a hobby though, so come Thursday, I’ll start working on one for both of us.”