Tara should’ve been relieved that she hadn’t been sniffed out by her mom for her late-night adventures. But talking about this wasn’t a huge improvement, especially since her mom zeroed in on her inner workings.

“I know, Mom. I just need to let it all settle in. Aubrey will always be my best friend. Just because her life has changed doesn’t mean that our friendship will change. We’ll always be there for each other.”

“That was my line. When has my puppy gotten so wise?” Mom cupped her cheek with a warm hand and smiled. “You’re right. Just give yourself time.”

“Thank you.” Tara couldn’t believe her luck that her mom wasn’t bringing up her lack of a husband.

“And … maybe it’s time you started thinking about your future. I married your dad when I was only twenty-three—”

“I can’t hear you.” She’d been too quick to be relieved. To avoid listening to her mom’s story for the 378th time, Tara plugged her ears with her fingers. “I already told you I don’t have time for marriage. The brewery is more important to me.”

She probably said this a bit louder than necessary, thanks to the fingers muffling her voice, because her mom drew back with a cringe. With an exasperated eye roll, she drew Tara close, gave her a kiss on the forehead, and walked out of the kitchen.

Tara blew out a long breath. If she wanted a minute of peace, she was either going to have to hide out in her room or go into the brewery early. Her brothers wouldn’t be coming in until around two, so Tara decided to head out to her happy place. She loved her family, but privacy was a rare commodity.

After a quick shower, she threw on her work uniform—jeans and a loose, lightweight shirt—and headed out. Tara rode her bike everywhere in town. She claimed that it was for the environment and her physical well-being, but the fact of the matter was that it was so much fun. It reminded her of being a kid. She even rang the bell occasionally when no one was around.

It was a brisk, sunny spring morning, and she hummed under her breath as she whizzed down the road. She reached Weldon Brewery before she knew it and let herself inside. It was her home away from home. The place where she felt most herself, but this morning it was all wrong.

As soon as she’d agreed to Seth’s dating dare, Tara had been filled with a bubbling excitement. It wasn’t a big deal. Just four dates. But it had felt like the promise of an adventure. Now she’d gone and ruined it by getting sloppy drunk. How was she going to salvage her tattered pride?

Besides, there would be nothing to salvage if they’d slept together. She’d told Seth repeatedly no hookup last night. Even if she’d thrown herself at him as she imagined, he should have resisted. But what if he couldn’t? She could be very persuasive. Tara snorted out loud. Did she think she was irresistible? Talk about having an inflated ego. No matter how hard she came on to him, he shouldn’t have given in. After all, they had their dating dare. He should’ve waited to be seduced properly when she was sober and horny.