Tap (Men of Lovibond 1)

What? “He’s not at the festival?”

“Oliver’s not in town.”

He’s gone? That doesn’t make sense. “But he’s been preparing for the festival all week. He partly owns this business.” Why would he miss the event after all the work he’s done to prepare for it?

“Do you have time to sit with me a minute so we can talk?” I don’t know what this means but my gut is screaming I’m not going to like it.

“Sure.” Seems I have all the time in the world if my brother isn’t here.

“Grab a table over there and I’ll get us a couple of cold beers.”

“Okay.” I’m grateful to find a table in the shade. We haven’t hit afternoon yet, and it’s already nearing the mid eighties.

When Lucas doesn’t return, I search the crowd for him. He’s talking to Porter and it looks like an intense conversation. Since they take turns looking in my direction, I get the distinct feeling it’s about me.

This is shit. I don’t need my brother’s business partner to explain my brother’s whereabouts. I’ll just call him myself and find out what’s going on.

My call goes straight to voicemail. “Hey, butt plug. I’m in Birmingham to surprise you and you’re not here. What’s going on?”

Looks like I may be dependent upon Lucas for answers after all.

There’s an abandoned festival flyer on the table so I use it as a fan while I wait for Lucas. I’m already drenched. So glad I wore my hair up. There’s no way I’d survive this heat if it was down on my neck.

Lucas eventually joins me at the table and takes a seat across from me. “Sorry about that. I needed to tell Porter the big news about landing a placement in Tapped Beer Emporium.”

Wow. They’re a huge chain across the south. “That’s fantastic. Was that who you were talking to when I walked up?”

“It was.”

“Now I really feel bad for interrupting.”

“It’s fine. And again, you didn’t interrupt anything.”

He pushes a clear plastic cup of amber toward me. “Pale Hazel.”

“It’s my favorite.”

The corner of his mouth curls. “Then I chose well.”

“Very well.” I take a drink of the nutty, caramel, toffee ale. “Always a smooth finish. Such a good brew.”

Lucas grins. “Should be. It was inspired by you.”

Is he flirting? Or trying to distract me because something is going on with my brother? “Is everything all right with Ollie?”

“Absolutely.”

“I don’t understand. Why isn’t he here at one of the most important events of his career?”

“He called me yesterday and said he had to go see a friend in Memphis.” I didn’t know he had any friends from that area.

“What friend is that?” And what could be so important he’d miss this beer festival?

“Oliver never mentioned a name. Only that the friend was going through a severe bout of depression following a divorce, and he could be suicidal. Of course, Porter and I told him to go.”

“He didn’t mention a word to me.”

“It happened very quickly. I’m sure he’ll text after things are under control.”

“I can’t believe I came all this way for nothing.” Coming here without calling was stupid. I shouldn’t have let Ivy and Kelsey talk me into it.

“It won’t have been for nothing if you stay and have a good time.”

“Porter is the only person I know. And I don’t see me sticking around to hang with him.” I don’t want to encourage Porter in any way.

“You know me.”

“You introduced yourself to me ten minutes ago. I don’t know you. There’s a big difference.”

“What do you need to know to consider us acquainted? I’ll tell you anything.”

“You assume I want to know about you.”

“Don’t you?” Damn. That is a dangerous grin. I bet he uses it to get whatever he wants.

Lucas Broussard is my brother’s business partner and friend. I suppose I should get to know him.

I bite my lip to stop my smirk from turning into a full-fledged, dimple-bearing beam. Damn. What is wrong with me? I’m grinning like a Cheshire cat.

“Where are you from originally?”

“Lafayette, Louisiana. The heart and soul of Creole country.” I was right. He is Cajun.

“No surprise there.”

“No, I ’spect not.”

“How’d you end up in Birmingham?”

“My family moved here for my father’s job when I was in high school.”

“Tell me about your family.”

“My parents are still married and live in Birmingham. My brother, Briac, is twenty-three. Just graduated from Alabama with a business degree.”

“Does he have an accent like yours?” It’s nearly enough to melt panties.

“No. He was eight when we moved here so he lost it. I think mine stuck because I spent more time with my mom’s parents. They are Ca . . . jun. They speak fluent old-school Cajun French.”

Lucas had been financially stable to finance Lovibond in the early stages. I wonder how they knew a man like him. “Ollie’s never told me how you came to be the financial backer for this company.”

“Porter was a graphic design intern for me at my old company. He knew I was looking to sell out and try something different.” Oh. This isn’t Lucas Broussard’s first venture.

“What kind of business did you have?”

“Printing company.”

The beer brewing business couldn’t be more different. “What made you decide to leave printing for beer?”

“Long story. Not sure it’s one you want to hear.” Does he think I’m too dumb to understand and discuss enterprise?

“I’m a business owner. I can keep up.”

“Then I’ll give you the short version. I think I like you too much to give you the whole story.” He already likes me?

Ollie has said so little about Lucas. He’s cool. Smart. Good with numbers. Ollie’s words. If I were describing him, I would have gone with good-looking, delectable, and panty-melting hot. Wait till the girls hear about him.

“What is it?” he asks.

I shrug. “I didn’t say anything.”

“I know but you’re smiling.” Can’t tell him I’m having an internal conversation about how sexy he is. He probably already knows.

/> I shake my head. “It’s nothing. Go on. You were about to give me the short version of how you became partners with Ollie and Porter.”

“Right. I inherited an old-school printing company from my grandfather a month after I graduated from college. In the blink of an eye, I became the sole owner of the company. I knew very little about the print world but I found out quickly because there were fifteen employees depending on me to figure out my ass from a hole in the ground. So that’s what I did. My wife became my personal assistant.”

His wife? Well, damn.

“My best friend became my manager and pitched the idea of transitioning the company from print to marketing. Logical idea since we live in a digital world. Warren bought in as my partner. Two years after that, he and my wife told me they had fallen in love.”

Holy shit. I did not see that coming. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s fine. I sold my part of the company to Warren, gave Bridgette a no-fault divorce, and the three of us are still good friends. I was the best man at their wedding.” Damn. Most people in that situation would be too bitter to retain any form of civility but this man chooses friendly terms. And not just cordial ones. Good friends. His words.

Dos Equis got it all wrong. This is the world’s most interesting man.

“I don’t understand; it was your family business. Shouldn’t they have sold out to you?” It seems the only right thing to have done in that kind of situation.

“I was ready to get out; I didn’t enjoy printing or marketing. Warren did and was great at it. He paid me generously for my part, and I was able to move on to Lovibond Brewery, which is something I love. I’m happy where I am so it all worked out as it should.”

Ollie’s never told me much about Lucas except the basics. It’s a shame I’ve missed out on meeting him until now. He seems like such a nice guy.

“Is that enough for you to feel like you know me a little better?” Can’t fault the man for his openness.

“I think it’s enough for now. Except one more thing. How old are you?” He’s owned two businesses and doesn't even look thirty. The first one was given to him, but still.