Bad Boys Do (Donovan Brothers Brewery 2)

“What wears off?” she asked, but Jamie shook his head. She couldn’t know how beautiful she looked like this. Warm and blushing and—for once—not the least bit rigid. It was almost like seeing her naked. Almost.

He took her hand and led her out to the party and all the stiff, bored people pretending to enjoy themselves. “You come to a lot of parties like this?”

“Not a lot. Not anymore. Now I get to choose which ones I go to, but unfortunately, they’re all like this. Everyone trying to impress each other. Everyone on their best behavior. What kind of parties do you go to?”

“I don’t go to parties. I work.”

“Not as glamorous as it seems?”

“Oh, it’s glamorous as all hell, Ms. Bishop, but the hours are long.”

“Don’t call me that,” she said, smacking his arm.

“Come on. It’s totally hot that you’re my teacher.”

“Just barely your teacher,” she said, throwing his own words back at him.

“Just enough,” he corrected.

Olivia laughed, bumping her elbow into his ribs as they walked toward a wall of doors that opened onto a deck. Jamie had already scoped out Victor Bishop’s location, and the guy was definitely looking tense. Jamie offered him a smile.

“So why are you taking the class?” Olivia asked as they stepped onto the deck.

Jamie felt so relaxed that he almost answered honestly. Then he remembered that he was keeping a secret and snapped his mouth shut.

Olivia tilted her head. “What?”

“Nothing. I’m just brushing up on business basics.”

“No, you’re hiding something.” They’d reached a railing that overlooked a spectacular view, but Olivia propped her back against it and faced him. “Why are you really taking the class? Seems like you’ve got the brewery thing down pat.”

He looked past her. “What a gorgeous view from here.”

“Spill it.”

Shit. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Why not?”

“It’s too early. I’m just starting to think it through.”

“Are you going to start your own business?”

“No!”

Her eyebrows rose.

“That’s not it. Honestly. It’s just that… I don’t know. I’m thinking more of expanding the current business.”

Her face remained neutral for a moment, then her mouth made a pretty O of surprise. “You’re going to add a restaurant!”

“Shh.” Jamie glanced around to be sure no one heard. “Not quite. And maybe not anything at all. I’m taking your class to explore the possibilities. That’s all.”

“Well, I think that’s great. What responsibilities do you cover at the brewery?” She turned to face the view, now that she’d wrung his secret from him.

“I manage the front room and we all have input into the brewing side.” Some more than others.

“Food service would be a lot more involved, you know.”