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I glance behind me and find Bennet smirking.
“Why do I feel like I’m the victim of a prank or something?” I ask nervously. “Is someone recording this?”
“After what we went through, do you think we would do that to you?” Gabe asks.
Forrest huffs. “Do you like the beer?”
I hadn’t really noticed the taste under all the scrutiny, so I try another sip. The sweetness and lightness is appealing, and I nod agreeably. “It’s actually really good,” I tell him. I turn to face Gabe. “Is this one of your new products?”
“It’soursignature beer,” Forrest says. “We made it, remember?”
I gape at him and look at Gabe, who appears as though he swallowed a canary.
“Todd Winters? The guy who owns Burberry Brewery?” Gabe reminds me.
I remember Todd, who helped us through the beer challenge.
“What about him?”
“He fought Anchor Studios for the rights to this beer,” he explains. “He liked it so much, he refused to give the studio access to it.”
“What?” I’m dubious. “Seriously?”
“I bought the recipe from him,” Gabe explains. “So Forrest can have it at his restaurant.”
I’m beyond impressed by all of this, and I want to jump over the table and kiss Forrest, but I kiss Gabe first.
“You’re a good businessman, Gabriel Hanson,” I say as we part.
The front door opens, and the bright California sunshine blocks us all from seeing who appears at the hostess stand.
“Sorry, friend,” Gabe calls out. “We don’t open until six, and we’re fully booked until the beginning of next month.”
I whip my head toward Forrest. “Are you really?”
“Damn straight. Bennet is a marketing genius.”
I glance at my quietest lover, and he raises his shoulders. “I have to do a lot of fundraising,” he reminds me.
There’s so much talent in this room.
“Gabe?” the shadowy man calls out.
My head jerks back, and we watch as a tall, attractive stranger nears, but I don’t recognize him. All the same, the hairs on my neck rise in anticipation.
Gabe’s face turns opaque, and I realize that he does. “What are you doing here, Luke?”
My stomach drops at the mention of his brother’s name. After the endless drama with Gabe’s parents, nothing good is likely to come of Luke’s arrival.
Bennet impulsively steps closer to Gabe, and Forrest ambles out from behind the bar, preparing to back up his friend.
“What am I doing here?” Luke repeats. “You never answer my calls!”
“Maybe you should take a hint,” Gabe retorts.
I bite on my lower lip, trying to make sense of Luke’s intentions. He isn’t coming at Gabe the same way his parents have.
“Why won’t you take my calls?” the older brother asks, sounding heartbroken. “I miss you, Gabe.”
