The ellipses flickered and stopped. Flickered and stopped.

SETH: You, too.

Tara stepped out of her house with a smile on her face, and it stayed with her as she sped to work on her bike. She was going in early to start a new batch of ale. She’d always loved this part of her job, but sexting with Seth first thing in the morning added to her excellent mood.

Alex was already at the back, pouring the grist bill for their India Pale Ale into the mash tun.

“Hello, brother dear,” she said with a wide smile on her face. “Let me get geared up and join you.”

“Please do.” He shook the bag over the tun, emptying out the last bit, then turned around to pin her with a quizzical look. “Why are you so chipper today? You’re practically glowing.”

“Because it’s our brewing fun day,” she replied, dialing back some of her cheer. She glanced sideways at Alex as she pulled on her rubber boots. She lived and worked with her brothers. They were way too attuned to her moods. Worse yet, they could always sniff out her bullshit.

“Sampling day is your über-happy day. You’re disproportionately cheerful for brewing day.”

“What? Are you telling me to dial down my happiness?” Tara conjured an exaggerated injured look. “What kind of brother are you?”

“Sorry.” Alex eyed her suspiciously but didn’t continue his line of inquiry. “Be sampling day happy on brewing day. It’s a free country.”

She’d always been able to separate her dating life from her real life, but thoughts of Seth were crossing the line. His sweet, considerate side had punched a hole through her armor. What happened to the superficial playboy she’d signed up to date? And that kiss. After only one date, he was getting under her skin. Had she underestimated the effect he could have on her?

“Which grains should I bring?” she asked, scattering her inconvenient thoughts.

“The base malt is already in. We just need to mix our specialty malt.”

“Well, this one’s your recipe, so take the lead. I’ll assist.” They usually helped each other on brewing days—an extra pair of hands were always welcome—but the main brewer of the particular batch manned the helm. “Speaking of assisting, where’s Jack?”

“It’s accounting ‘fun’ day for him,” Alex said, cringing in distaste. “I can’t get used to how much he enjoys that part of the business.”

“If it weren’t for him, the brewery wouldn’t be what it is today.” Tara automatically defended Jack. “We’re lucky to have his brilliant business mind on our side.”

“I know that. But the word ‘number’…” Alex shivered dramatically.

“Was derived from the word ‘numb,’ meaning the bringer of numbness,” she rattled off in monotone. “And we must avoid brain numbness at all costs.”

“You got it.” He beamed at her like she was his star pupil. “Let’s get on with the real fun part of the business.”

They filled the mash tun with various bags of malt, working in companionable silence. And her mind wandered predictably to Seth. I wonder what he’s doing right now. He couldn’t possibly still be naked. But he was in her mind. He was taking photos naked. Building Landon’s website naked. And having lunch naked.