10. Griffin

Chapter Ten

Griffin

Several days later

"You want me to what?"

"Go to Willow Brook and help Chase and Archer out while they get the new brewery up and running," Rhys said pointedly. "If you want to stay there when you're done firefighting, you can take over as head brewer there. You and Wyatt can coordinate."

I studied my brother for a beat. "I have an actual job, you know."

"I know, but we're headed into winter. I know from your schedule before you won't be working straight through winter. I figure in between training, or when you're off duty, maybe you could help out with this. Tish can be your main contact here to coordinate."

Tish's question from the other night echoed in my thoughts. Do you think that's a smart idea?

She had gone on to point out she worked for my brother, and she didn't want to put her job at risk.

"Isn't she your assistant?" I hedged.

Rhys nodded. "Of course, but she does special projects for me. That's part of her job. She knows better than anybody in this company the background of what needs to be set up administratively. She'll coordinate with HR and get everything dealt with. She'll hire all the admin staff there. I trust her more than anyone to handle that."

"What about Kenan or McKenna?"

"Neither one of them likes dealing with hiring. Kenan is too impatient for it, and McKenna is a total softie. Tish is organized and practical. You can help out with that and help Chase and Archer get everything lined up there. They have a location opened, but we don't have the restaurant started yet beyond events, and we're shipping beer and wine from here to there."

"They can't travel here?" I hedged.

Rhys rested his elbows on his desk, steepling his fingers together under his chin. "If you don't want to do this, I understand. Chase and Archer both have young kids, so it's better for them to stay there full-time. You have a little more flexibility. I had hoped you could help in your downtime. I will not pressure you to officially take any of those jobs permanently."

I didn't want to say it aloud, but this was perfect for me. Winter was the off-season for hotshot firefighters. I never liked being bored. Yet, I felt pulled by opposing forces. Knowing that Tish would be my primary support on this project made it almost irresistible. But I knew she might not like that idea.

This wasn't a problem I could discuss with Rhys because he would tell me to back the fuck off around Tish. I decided to do the logical thing. "Okay, I'll make it work."

"Talk to the crew at the station, let me know when you have some in-between times, and we'll schedule your travel."

At that moment, there was a light knock on Rhys's office door. "Come in!" he called.

I knew it was Tish before she even opened the door. For me, the magnetism of her presence could reach straight through the door.

"Oh, I didn't mean to interrupt," she said, as soon as her eyes landed on me.

She was composed. With her hair pulled back tightly, she wore a fitted skirt and a silky blouse that fell to her hips. My mind conjured up the image of her blouse unbuttoned and that skirt rucked up around her hips while I teased her. I forcibly kicked my thoughts off that track. Fuck me.

"You didn't interrupt," Rhys replied. He gestured her through the door. "I was just speaking with Griffin about a project for us. He's going to help out when he has time in between firefighting this winter with some things at the brewery in Willow Brook. I'd like you to be his main contact here."

Tish's eyes flicked from Rhys to me and back to Rhys. There was the barest hint of a flush on her cheeks. "Of course." The phone rang out in the reception area. "I'd like to get that if you don't mind," she said.

Rhys waved her away with a smile. "Answer the phone."

Tish gave me a quick nod, giving nothing away in her gaze.

That was the last time I saw her. For months.