Chapter 4 #2
"You know me too well." When I saw a promising deal, I went all in.
But he didn't know that I had reservations about his sister.
Could I work closely with her brothers and pretend that nothing between us had ever happened?
Would we be able to keep that a secret? More importantly, would I be able to stay away from her?
We threw back the liquor. It burned my throat going down. I couldn't afford to drink any more than this. I needed to keep my wits about me if I was going to be around Clara and her family.
Malcolm wiped the remnants of liquid off his mouth and braced his hands on the counter. "Rowan wants to open a brewery."
"It would be separate from the inn and the restaurant. A standalone building where we could set up picnic tables outside when it's nice. Maybe have a few fire pits and games to play. I want it to be casual. Inside, we'd have a tasting room."
I sighed. "It's been done before."
Rowan tipped his head to the side. "This is Hart’s Inn. We're historic, but at the same time, we're casual. We cater to hikers and families. This is the perfect addition for those who want to try a brew at the end of a long day."
"I'd have to run the numbers. But I have to say that this is not something I usually get involved in. There's nothing unique about your idea." I didn't want to offend him, but this was business. I tended to be blunt.
Malcolm squeezed my shoulder. "I value your opinion. But I'd like you to look at everything before you make a final decision."
When he removed his hand, I asked, "You need advice, an investor, or both?"
He sobered. "I want whatever you're willing to give. Your name is trusted in the business."
Someone else might think he was using our friendship to broker a business deal.
But I was loyal to friends, and Malcolm had always been a good one, even if I hadn't returned the favor over the years.
I'd disappeared after college, incorrectly assuming that college friendships fizzled out over time.
I was never as open as he was, as trusting or supportive.
I kept my past a secret, and I'd slept with his sister.
And now I was here in his family's home, getting ready to evaluate their business with the taste of his sister embedded on my tongue.
I'd have to get over last night if I was going to do this.
It would be cleaner for me to walk away.
But I owed Malcolm a thorough evaluation.
"I look forward to seeing what you've built. "
Malcolm grinned. "I'm glad you're here, even if it took a business reason to reel you in."
"I am too," I said.
Then he sobered. "You've never shaded the truth. Don't start now with my business."
"I'll tell you what I think." I believed in honesty when it came to business, and I'd never lead an old friend astray, especially not one who'd never given up on me.
I'd proven myself in the business world, and I was here for a reason.
He wouldn't have come to me if he didn't have something worth looking at.
Right now, I just couldn't see it. But maybe my night with Clara was clouding my initial opinion.
I pulled out a stool and asked Rowan, "Tell me everything you're thinking about."
Callum grabbed waters from the fridge, and Rowan sat next to me.
"We've always been a family establishment. Even though we've expanded to hosting weddings and receptions, our bread and butter is families or couples here for the outdoor adventures. The brewery fits into the mold."
Callum nodded. "We tossed around the idea of a winery, and we still might do that eventually, but this seemed to be a better fit."
"From what I've seen driving onto the property, I'd say you could consider either."
Rowan leaned his elbows on the bar. "I've always wanted to make my own brew. I've been playing around awhile, testing different recipes, and I think I've got a few that could work."
"You have them here?" I asked, impressed with the level of research and thought they'd put behind this new endeavor.
Rowan raised a brow in surprise. "You want to taste it?"
"That's what I'm here for, isn't it?" Not for his sister. No matter how much she'd intrigued me.
Rowan moved behind the bar and pulled out a bottle without a label.
He poured the amber liquid into four old-fashioned glasses and pushed one over to me.
I observed the color and consistency. I gently swirled it, then lifted the glass to my nose, taking a few deliberate sniffs.
Once I was satisfied it had a roasted scent, I took a small sip and let it roll over my tongue, swishing it around to get a feel for the flavor.
I swallowed, then breathed out through my nose to get a sense of the finish.
Rowan was the only one who hadn't taken a sip or even touched his glass. He was waiting for me to give a verdict.
I set the glass down. "You thought about your branding yet?"
He frowned. "I don't know anything about that."
"You'll need a logo for your brewery and a name for each brew."
He was quiet for a few seconds, and he said, "You think it's good enough?"
I looked from him to Malcolm. "You wouldn't have called me if it wasn't."
Rowan nodded, relief evident on his face.
I just hoped I wasn't making a huge mistake in not coming clean about what happened with Clara. Or better yet, telling them that I was the wrong guy for the job and walking out the door.
It was one thing to have one night with a woman like her, but it was another to be around her and not be able to touch her.