Make Me Exhale

If I wanted to deal with a man just like my uptight dad, I would’ve told my parents what my brewery plans were.

Only I didn’t tell anyone. I waited for my trust fund to deliver, and I bought the old train depot I’ve been eyeing for years. It’s finally mine and ready to restore into the region’s best brewery and event center. Then McCoy Cunningham shows up.

I’m told he’s the best. He knows both side of the business—the contracting and the brewing. But all I’ve gotten from him are dismissive grunts. I’m in this, though. I can’t back out now.

And I refuse to be meek little Isla Barron anymore. I’m tired of being underestimated. McCoy might think he’s the expert, he might look at me like I should be in diapers with pigtails, but he’s wrong if he thinks he can bulldoze me.

All it takes is one look. One time I catch him eyeing me with something other than disdain. One conversation where we’re geeking out over yeast strains and hops. And one kiss that leads to more.

But I promised myself I’d never settle for a guarded man who thinks he knows everything, especially one with secrets that control his life.

Cover photo credit: Wander Aguiar