“It’s nothing, Mom.” But Tara ruined the reassurance by sobbing in the middle of it.

“It’s okay. Everything will be okay.”

Without further question, her mom enveloped her in a hug and did what moms do best—make everything better somehow. But they were out in the hall, so Tara backed out of her embrace. “Thank you. I … I just miss Aubrey a lot today.”

It was true. She needed to talk to her best friend, and figure out what was happening to her. At this point, keeping her dating dare with Seth a secret seemed foolish. Aubrey would never judge her. She knew how emotionally abusive Jason had been, and would understand Tara’s fears and tangled thoughts.

“Are you still struggling with your best friend being married?” Her mom squeezed her hand. “Your time will come soon.”

“Ha!” She clamped her hand over her mouth, but it was too late. She’d already spit in her mom’s face. Literally.

Her mom lightly slapped her arm. “I’m serious. Why do you make jokes out of everything? You’re twenty-eight years old. It’s time you started thinking about things like marriage.”

“Oh, Mom. Please don’t tell me to find a nice young man and settle down. I always brag to my friends that you are the coolest mom because you never ask me when I’m going to get married. At least not directly.”

“Just because I try my best to mind my own business doesn’t mean I don’t worry about you. And I don’t need to be a cool mom. I just want to be a good mom.”

Tara couldn’t help it. She gave her a quick, tight hug. “You are a good mom. The best mom.”

“Oh, my baby girl.” She tapped her cheek gently. “Remember I’m always here if you want to talk to me.”

“I know,” Tara said. “Now let me get back to work. I think Jack secretly dropped off a bunch of orders to avoid direct contact with me.”

With her laughter lingering in the air, her mom returned to the kitchen. Although nothing was answered, Tara felt more like herself. She checked the counter, and her cowardly brother had indeed left a stack of orders for her. Laughing softly under her breath, she returned to doing what she loved best. Sharing her brew with her customers and seeing happiness bloom on their faces.

She shouldn’t lose sight of her goals. She had new brews to perfect, rivals to beat, and the World Beer Cup to win. And two more dates with a lovely man before he walked off into the sunset.

Seth got out of bed and paced the floor. He was restless and couldn’t sleep. Maybe it was because the bed still smelled like Tara and he missed her. It hadn’t been more than twelve hours since he’d seen her. Had he ever yearned for somebody so much? No. Not even with Jessica. When she was off somewhere, he’d enjoyed the quiet, solitary time with his art.