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“Now, you’re just hugging me,” Blake says. “I said I wanted loyalty, but I’ll take a hug too.”
Chase laughs even harder, which prompts me to keep going.
“I’m not hugging you. Give me back my plate.”
Blake wraps one arm around my waist and pulls me to him. “Yes, you are.”
My breasts press against his hard chest, teasing my nipples. My nose burrows in his neck, the familiar scent of his cologne surrounds me, making every nerve ending in my body come alive. When I look up, he’s looking down at me, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that lights my belly on fire.
I don’t know how long we stay frozen like this, no part of my body wanting to move away.
Until…
“Give her back her plate.” Chase’s voice is cold and harsh, all of the laughter gone.
Blake releases me, and the two of us move apart like same-charge magnets.
Blake hands me back my plate. “You’re right. Enough playing around. This is a business dinner after all.”
We all sit back down. Chase won’t make eye contact with me and pushes his food around his plate with his fork.
Guilt presses down on my chest, but I can’t talk to him with Blake in the room.
“So, what is this business you wanted to talk about?” I ask Blake.
“You know that I’ve been trying to turn the bar into a brewery?”
I nod. Bryce and Blake have been talking about this idea for years.
“Mayor Anderson rejected our proposal. Apparently, the building is historical and we’re not allowed to make any changes to it.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. That sucks!”
Blake shrugs, not looking too disappointed. “We found another site just outside of town where we can build something much bigger. It’s right next door to the Young farm, and Henry suggested that since we’re building from scratch we could also add bedrooms upstairs. I wanted to get your opinion before we commit to anything. So, what do you think? You’re the tourist expert.”
“That sounds amazing!”
The mayor and I always thought we could get more tourists if we just had more varied sleeping options for guests. Not everyone likes to sleep in a stuffy hotel.
“You think it’s a viable business?”
“Sure. Are you thinking something fancy or more relaxed?”
“Relaxed, for sure. I’d like to keep it as natural as possible. Every room should have a balcony and access to the outdoors. I want people to connect with nature. There’s a great view of the mountains.”
“I’d love to see it.”
“Are there going to be fun things for people to do?” Chase asks.
“Great question,” I say, and Chase smiles.
“Well, there’s the brewery. And there’s a lot of land around. There’s definitely room for outdoor games or sports. And we could put in a playground.”
“A pool?” Chase asks.
Blake raises a shoulder and looks at me for an answer.
“A pool could work,” I say. “Especially if it fits in with the nature aesthetic. It would help to attract more people in the summer.”
