Page 92 of From the Start

“That’s what he said.”

I grin. “Harper Poole, did you make a dirty joke?”

“I can joke.” I raise an eyebrow. “I normally don’t have time to joke, but I’m perfectly capable of joking.”

I wipe the wound and she winces. “Sorry. Need to clean this up before it gets infected. There are little pebbles and sand in the wound.”

“You sound like an expert.”

“Five brothers, remember?”

“Did you ever consider going to medical school?”

“Nah. By the time I finished college, Eli had already foundedBuccaneer’s Whiskey.”

“And he chose you to be the operations manager straight out of college?”

I shrug. “I was the only brother left. Rhett is a financial wizard. Jaxon is determined to make the best whiskey ever. Miles only shows up at the distillery when the weather isn’t good for surfing. And Zane comes and goes as he wills.”

“Hey.” She cups my chin. “Eli wouldn’t have appointed you as operations manager if he didn’t believe you could do the job.”

I sigh. “I know. I just wish Jaxon had as much faith in me as Eli does.”

Her brow wrinkles. “Jaxon doesn’t have any faith in you?”

I glance away. I can’t gaze into her eyes when I admit the truth. “I haven’t exactly shown him I’m capable.”

She pinches my chin and forces my gaze to return to hers. “Then, you change his mind by showing him you are capable.”

“What makes you think I am?”

Her eyes widen. “Are you serious?”

“Forget it.” I reach for a bandage but she grasps my hand to stop me.

“Kai Raider, you listen to me. Are you listening?”

I nod.

“You have proven to me you aren’t merely a goofball and a jokester who’s never serious. You’ve helped me get a handle on helping my dad. You helped Sloane, so she has more time to work. You’ve kicked in to work atRumrunnerseveral times so I could get some time off.”

“I did those thingsfor you.”

“I know. Do whatever you need to do to show Jaxon you can not only handle being the operations manager for the distillery but you excel at it.”

“What if I don’t excel?”

“You learn. You ask Jaxon for advice. Sign up for some courses. You figure it out.”

I blow out a breath. “You’re right. I can figure it out.”

“Of course, I’m right. I’m always right. Get used to it.”

She smiles and both of her dimples make an appearance. I can’t resist her lips. I meld my mouth to hers and she sighs. I thrust my tongue inside and groan.

I love her taste – beer and vanilla. Two of my favorite things in the world. But they can’t compare to this woman. This woman believes in me despite how immature I’ve acted in the past.

Fuck. I love her.