Page 148 of Pinch of Love
“Didn’t you two go on the camping trip together?” Cash’s mom asked.
“We did.” I smiled, and his mom gave me a knowing look.
“Well, Hunter, honey, I have someone I’d love for you to meet. She is sunshine on a platter.” Nancy’s grin couldn’t get any wider.
Cash leaned down to my ear and whispered, “Get ready for a ride.”
“I can’t wait,” I whispered back.
“Um, Mom,” Hunter said flatly. “I don’t think tonight is the night.”
“Oh, don’t be ridiculous, Hunter. Brielle, you’re a confident girl, aren’t you?”
Brielle looked at Hunter and cocked her head before answering. “Yeah, I think so. Am I, Hunter?”
“Mom, I’m serious,” Hunter tried again.
“I think she’d be a perfect fit for your bar,” Nancy continued. “She is the absolute best bartender in the Midwest, and you’d be missing out if you didn’t hire her on the spot.”
Relief spread through Hunter. “Wait, you’re not trying to set me up?”
“Why on earth would I ever do that when you clearly have someone worth having on that very eligible arm of yours?” Nancy plastered a smile on her face. “This is purely business. In fact, she’s up here in Buttercup Lake bartending at the lodge, but I think she’d like to spend the winter in Madison.” Nancy clapped her hands and took a deep breath. “And I know you’re always looking for help.”
Hunter nodded happily. “Absolutely. I’d love to meet her.”
I shifted my weight from one foot to the other and polished off my cider. This really was getting good. Nancy was a master. She reminded me of my grandma.
“Oh, Millie,” Nancy called. “Would you mind finding Daisy and bringing her over to meet my son?”
My grandma gave her a thumbs-up and wandered away.
Cash turned to me. “Need another?”
I chuckled and nodded. “I think I might.”
Nancy looked at Brielle as we waited.
“So, honey.” Nancy smiled. “What is it you do for a career?”
“Oh, I don’t work.” She shook her head. “I don’t need to.”
Hunter’s mom scowled and turned to him, worrying that he was taking care of her.
“What was it you told me, Brielle?” I asked. “You married well and divorced even better or something like that?”
Brielle laughed and looked at Nancy. “It’s true. I have a knack.”
Nancy smiled and eyed me. “Ah, what a skill to have.”
“And it is a skill,” Brielle added as I watched to see whether Hunter was registering any of this.
I had to admit I was completely confused. Hunter was a really attractive guy, probably about thirty. He owned a successful bar and could have any decent human out there. But he got Brielle?
Cash came over with a drink for each of us right when my grandma came wandering over with Daisy behind her.
I’d just taken a drink when I saw Daisy. She was gorgeous. Her hair had been twisted into a French roll, and she wore a pair of jeans with a simple yellow jacket.
There was something about her that was just stunning tonight. I snuck a look in Hunter’s direction, and it looked like all words had evaded him...