She led them around the edge of the tent, behind every line, to a small alcove in the corner behind a rack stacked with beer kegs. The alcove was roped off with a sign that said “Employees Only.” Darcy unclipped the rope and led them to a little high-top table. They were completely hidden from the crowds.

“Wait here. I’ll be right back,” Darcy said.

Once out of sight, Ryann waved a hand in front of her face dramatically. “Jesus.”

“What?”

Ryann stared at Maddie. “Are you kidding me? That woman is ridiculously gorgeous. I mean, I knew she was before, but damn. Something about seeing her dressed down makes it more obvious.”

Maddie frowned in obvious confusion, her eyes trained in the direction Darcy had gone. She shrugged. “I mean, yeah, I guess.”

“Are you kidding me right now?”

Maddie pulled her into a long kiss. “I only have eyes for you, babe.”

She was still laughing when Erin and Darcy returned. Erin carried a flight board, and Darcy had two plastic pint cups full to the brim. Erin’s mousy short curls were ruffled and messy, as if she’d been running her hands through her hair all day, which, based on this crowd, was likely. She was struck once again by the fact that Erin and Darcy made a strikingly contrasting pair—Erin smaller altogether, almost elfin next to the tall blonde.

“These are the lineup for the competition,” Erin explained, indicating the flight of tasters. “And these are the voting cards.” She set down a golf pencil and two small pieces of cardstock. Each beer in the flight was numbered one through six, and the cardstock had boxes next to the same numbers. “Choose your favorite, and then drop this off on your way out in the box by the entryway.”

“It’s a blind test this year?” Maddie sounded surprised.

Erin sighed. “Yes, and no one’s happy about it. Still, I guess it’s fair. No one can say I bribed anyone when we win.”

Darcy set the two pints down on the table near the flight. “Two pints of Cupid’s Kiss. For after. It’s only sort of cheating.” She winked.

“Oh, and Maddie, your ice sculpture is amazing,” Erin said. “We voted just before we came here.”

Darcy nodded. “It’s lovely.”

She watched Maddie receive this praise, noted her awkwardness at accepting it, and squeezed her hand. Oh, artists! she thought.

“Sorry we can’t stay,” Erin said. “I’d love to catch up with you both, but I’m swamped, and Darcy’s going to help the rest of the afternoon. But we’ll see you at the wedding Tuesday.”

“See you there,” Maddie said.