Page 17 of From the Start

“Nah. I better get back to the bakery. I left Holly in charge. Her teenage friends will devour every pastry I’ve ever made if I don’t stop them.”

“Okay, but let’s grab a coffee and catch up soon.”

“Sounds good. I’ll schedule you in for some time in 2030, which is when I assume the next time we both have time off aligns.”

“I’ll order an agenda for 2030.”

She waves as she walks off. I shut the door behind her.

“It’s about damn time. I’m starving. Where are my pancakes? Or can I have your cookie?”

Pfff… The 2030 comment wasn’t far off.

Chapter 6

“Age is just a number.” ~ Kai

Kai

“Iexpect us to win the escape room this year,” Eli says.

This weekend is theBootlegger Escape Roomfestival. Teams compete to be the fastest through a bootlegger themed escape room. Last year, we lost to the owners of theFive Fathoms Brewery.Although, I’m pretty sure the owners – Sophia, Chloe, Nova, Maya, and Paisley – cheated somehow.

I wiggle my eyebrows. “Afraid you’ll lose to your fiancé?”

Paisley – the master brewer atFive Fathoms– and Eli fell in love when a hurricane destroyed the brewing facilities and the brewery temporarily brewed beer in the distillery.

I had a blast watching those two try and hide their office ‘trysts’ from everyone. Did they seriously think they could hide from us? As if.

Speaking of office trysts. “Where’s Blossom?” I ask Jaxon.

“My wife didn’t want to participate in the rivalry between the distillery and the brewery.”

Makes sense. Blossom is Paisley’s assistant, but she’s also married to Jaxon, the master distiller ofBuccaneer’s Whiskey. Plus, she’s the most competitive woman I’ve ever met and can’t handle losing.

“She’s meeting us atRumrunnerlater,” he adds.

My pulse spikes at the mention ofRumrunner.Harper. I can’t wait to see her again. She claims she won’t ever give me a chance, but I saw the way her blue eyes sparkled when I touched her. I know she felt the spark between us. It was undeniable.

“I’m surprised Harper agreed to provide the winning prize again this year,” Rhett says.

I frown. The winning prize is free drinks atRumrunnerall night. “Why wouldn’t she agree?”

Harper can be grumpy, but she’s a native Smuggler. She wouldn’t refuse to provide a prize for a local festival.

“She asked for a payment plan to pay for her latest delivery of whiskey.”

I stare at Rhett but he doesn’t crack a joke or glance away to indicate he’s lying. Shit. Is Harper’s business in trouble? I don’t get it.Rumrunneris packed every time I’m there. She should be making a good living.

“Raider brothers!” Lana, the mayor of Smuggler’s Rest, shouts. “You’re up next!”

Eli herds us toward the starting line. “We are winning this.”

“Did we win?” Miles asks an hour later as he stumbles his way down the alley towardRumrunner.

Zane throws an arm around his shoulder and they nearly collapse on the ground. I rush to help them stand.

“We did win, didn’t we?” Zane slurs.