Her words trailed off and her eyes widened, as if she’d been caught saying something she shouldn’t.
“Lately what?”
Her cheeks flushed. “Oh, it’s nothing. So you’re looking at opening a new store. That sounds exciting.”
It was a deliberate evasion and he knew it, but he wasn’t going to push for information she didn’t want to give. She was a relative stranger, after all, and Adele’s best friend. There was no need to be rude or prying. Though he couldn’t help but wonder if her glow and now her evasion had anything to do with a new relationship. It shouldn’t matter, because she’d already made her feelings clear. But it did. What kind of man could capture the heart of a woman like her? He’d have to be someone special. Drew had definitely gotten the impression that Harper wasn’t the type to settle for just anyone.
“It is,” he replied, taking a sip of his beer. “Aspen Outfitters would fit in well here, I think, with tourists and locals alike. It’s a good market. Besides, I love building a new store. I like the challenge.” It certainly beat sitting behind a desk or in a boardroom. With growth came responsibility. He accepted it, but sometimes it weighed a bit heavily.
Adele came back in, bringing a bowl of pita chips and a dish of dip. She put them down on the coffee table. “I’m assuming you’re staying for dinner, but I thought you might like a snack for now.”
“God, your homemade hummus is to die for,” Harper said, leaning forward to grab a chip and scoop it through the smooth dip.
“I laid off the garlic, too. I know it’s...”
She didn’t finish her sentence.
Drew helped himself. Harper was right. The hummus was delicious, and he wasn’t a huge fan normally. “You don’t like garlic?” he asked, before popping another chip in his mouth.
“Oh, I like it. It just doesn’t like me right now.”
He frowned a little. Why would there be a change? Not that it was a big deal. It was hummus, for Pete’s sake. But that was the second time one of them had stopped midsentence. He wondered if he’d interrupted something important. Something that was none of his business. He considered leaving, but then knew it would look odd if he left without at least seeing his brother.
They made small talk for a little while, until the door opened and closed again and Dan called out hello.
“We’re in here!” Adele called back.
“We?”
Dan stepped into the room and Drew grinned at the look of sheer surprise on his face. He got up and gave his brother a bear hug and received one in return.
Dan clapped him on the back. “What the hell?” He laughed, stepping back. “We weren’t expecting you!”
“I know. And I don’t have any desire to disturb the newlyweds’ love nest. I’m at a hotel.”
“Don’t be silly. Of course you can stay here.”
Drew laughed. “Yeah, well, thanks, but I’m comfortable where I am. You guys deserve your privacy.”
That Dan didn’t argue further, and Adele blushed a little, told Drew all he needed to know. The hotel had definitely been the right—and most considerate—choice.
“You’re staying for dinner, though, right?”
“Sure.”
Dan finally noticed Harper. “Oh, and of course you’re staying, too, right?”
“Oh.” She looked surprised and slightly uncomfortable. “I should probably get back.”
“To what? The workday’s over. Stay,” Adele insisted. “I’m going to grill some chicken and make risotto. I’ve got falafel I can make for you, unless you want something else.”
Right. Drew remembered now from sitting next to her at the wedding. Harper was vegetarian.
“No, no, whatever you have is fine. You know I love falafel. Particularly if you have tzatziki
from the market.”
“It’s settled, then.”