her brothers let me become a major investor, they agreed to let Jax invest too so we had all the capital we needed to get started right away.
“If the retail space ain’t gonna be a bar, mind me askin’ what it is gonna be? And who’s runnin’ that?”
“The full concept hasn’t been finalized, but the confirmed anchor stores are Duluth Clothing and the distillery. Do you know Zach, Zosia and Zeke’s youngest brother?”
He nodded.
“Zach is head of property development and he’s working on bringing in local, diverse businesses to round out the remaining retail spaces.”
“What’s your part in it?”
“I’m the numbers-crunching money guy. There are a lot of opportunities in Duluth for existing and new businesses, so I get to check them all out.”
“Ambitious. What’s Zeke got to say about this? He ain’t hanging up his fishing hook for good, is he?”
“No way. He’s invested in the businesses with us, but he’s made it clear his focus will always be on the charter company and Lund Fisheries.”
Just then the outer door banged open, sending a bright streak of sunlight across the dark bar. I barely contained my grin; my woman still barreled through life at breakneck speed even when she wasn’t on the ice.
The bartender turned. “Gabi! Darlin’. It is good to see you.”
Of course the bartender already knew her by name.
“Hey, Charlie.”
“Saw your interview last night with the UMD athletic program director. You didn’t pull any punches.”
She laughed. “Someone’s gotta hit him with the hard questions. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.”
“We all did. We’re ready for the damn hockey season to begin already.”
“You and me both, Charlie.”
Then Gabi stopped five feet away from me. “Dude. You’re in my seat.”
“I picked the one seat that’s yours? Seriously? Out of all of these empty chairs you want this one?”
“Yep.”
I felt the bartender watching us closely. I sighed and pushed back to stand. “Fine.”
Her gaze moved over me from head to toe. “Is that a new suit?”
“Yes. You like?”
“I love it. Damn. Q gets a gold star for making you look that hot.” That’s when she moved in, stood on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around my neck, kissing me like she hadn’t seen me in a week—which she hadn’t. After she finished blowing my circuits, she put her mouth on my ear. “I missed you like crazy, Charming.”
“Missed you too, Happy.”
“So tell me again why we’re meeting here and not racing home to get naked and sweaty in our big soft bed after you’ve been in the Cities for a damn week?” she demanded softly.
I tugged on her ponytail. “I have to get used to sharing you with the community—maintaining a public presence is part of your job as the newest co-anchor of the Wolf Sports North college hockey broadcast team.” I’d never get tired of saying that. I was so damn proud of her.
“I know that. But it’s barely afternoon and we’re the only ones here.” Her eyes narrowed. “Spill what you’re really up to, Lund.”
“All right. I’m doing recon and promo for distillery distribution.”
“And?”
“And I saw your Instagram post from here three days ago. What is it with you and finding dive bars, Welk?”
She shrugged. “It’s my thing. Plus, this is the postgame hangout for the college crowd, including the players. I’m guessing I’ll be here a lot.”
“So we’re both doing recon.”
“I was doing recon earlier this week. Now I’m here to drag my man home so he’ll do all the dirty, wicked things to me he promised in his last text message.”
Check, please.
We turned back to the bar and Charlie was still watching us. “The two of you are together?”
I grabbed her hand. Even in this dimly lit bar the five-carat diamond engagement ring on her finger flashed like fire. “Yes, this woman has agreed to marry me next spring after the hockey season ends. Why?”
He shook his head and addressed Gabi. “No offense, but he just doesn’t seem like your type.”
She looked at me with heart eyes. “He loves me just as I am, which means he’s exactly my type.”
“Perfectly said, my Gabriella.” I kissed the top of her head. “Come on. I’ll race you home.”
DON’T MISS
I Want You Back
BY LORELEI JAMES, AVAILABLE NOW!
LUCY
Mommy. What time will Daddy get here?”
Whenever the hell he feels like it.
Not an answer I could give my precocious eight-year-old daughter, even when it was the truth. “He said after six. Since it’s now six fifteen, he’ll be here at any moment.”
Mimi sighed heavily. Then she kicked her legs up and