Page 19 of Just One Chance

It was important to me that she knew I wasn't like that. "I was upset last night. I wanted to see the inn because it feels like everything is going to change."

"That's what you're worried about?" Kennedy asked me.

"How can you possibly understand what this means to us?" I gestured at the windows and their views of the mountains.

"I think I'm starting to."

I wasn't convinced. At the end of the day, this was a job for her, but this was our life. There was a difference between us, and she'd never understand what it was like to grow up here. To want to preserve this for many generations to come.

"I think I'll need to come back and experience the brewery when it's open," Kennedy said.

"That's a good idea." I'd volunteered to show her around, and as far as I was concerned, I could check brewery off the list.

Beck came through the door. "I was going to pop in a pizza. You want some?"

"That sounds great. Thanks."

I figured she'd want to go back to the inn and eat a fancy lunch or go into town to go shopping.

Beck smiled. "I'll pull out some brews for you to taste."

"That would be great," Kennedy said with a smile.

"I'll let you know when it's ready," Beck said before ducking out.

"You don't have to stay for lunch," I said, not wanting her to feel like she had to stick around.

Her brow furrowed. "Do you not want me to? I figured it would be a good way to sample the brews. But I could come back later if you'd prefer."

"It's not that." How did I tell her that it was a constant temptation to have her around? That I wanted a repeat of last night, and at the same time, I didn't want her here at all. It felt like my brain was being split in two.

She crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm here to do a job, and I don't want this"—she gestured in my direction—"whatever this weirdness is to be a problem."

"There's no weirdness." I needed to forget about last night, or I wasn't going to get through this.

She just gave me a look.

6

KENNEDY

Last night complicated everything. It was too late to go back and change it. We were stuck with the situation we were in. I just wanted to make the best of it, move on and act like a professional, but I wasn't sure if Boone was capable of that.

"Fine. It's a little weird. But don't worry. I'll get over it."

I wasn't a fan of him forgetting about last night either. But I wasn't sure if there was any other way to handle it. We had to work together, and I couldn't constantly be thinking about how good he was with his tongue. "I hope so, because I have a job to do."

"Your job is to put me out of mine. We both know you're going to recommend some store-bought decor and furniture. Craftsman is not your style."

I arched a brow. "You don't know anything about me, much less what I'd recommend."

He snorted. "I think we both know what's going to happen. Why would you come here just to say that my parents should use my work?"

"Pizzas are in the oven, and I have a few brews ready for tasting," Beck called from the other room.

"Come on." Boone moved away from me.

I wasn't ready to be done with this conversation. We had too many unresolved issues to discuss. But for now, I could put them aside.