“Good. Don’t you dare forget that woman loves you no matter what. Now let’s get inside before Jai kills both of us.”

The brewery was packed, partly because Erin had roped off a little area for the photos, thereby lessening the usual space for customers, but it was like this in here nearly every night of the week, every day of the year. She and Maddie had visited almost every brewery within an hour’s drive, and even without the bias of knowing the owner, she could claim this was the absolute best beer she’d had, and clearly the regulars agreed.

The Valentine’s decorations in here were a little more over the top than she remembered from last year, with heart-shaped red, pink, and white streamers draped from corner to corner and the walls festooned with giant red wooden conversation hearts and paper cutouts of cupids. A large canvas banner hung over the bar announcing that they had last year’s award-winning Cupid’s Kiss on tap for a limited time. Everyone would learn sometime tomorrow if this year’s entry, Sweetheart Stout, would net Erin’s brewery a second Fire and Ice Festival win.

“There they are!” Erin shouted, spotting them and waving wildly.

“About damn time,” Jai called their way, a hand cupped around his mouth.

The crowd was nice enough to let them through, several people smiling and greeting them as they made their way to the far corner. Ryann finally saw Maddie, seated at one of the little tables there—exactly the same table where they’d first met. She was relieved she didn’t look at all put out by her lateness. Why she’d ever worried was another question entirely, but she couldn’t think about that now when Maddie was moving toward her, warm and inviting with her strong arms ready to pull her in. The kiss was sweet and went on a little too long, several of their friends and some strangers in the bar hooting and whistling at them.

“You made it,” Maddie said when they drew back. She still held her in her arms, her warm hands sending little trilling shivers up her back.

“I know. I’m sorry. Stuart drives like a—”

“A grandma—I know. Anyway, it’s no problem. Nicole and I were just catching up.” She pointed at a woman with a camera bag standing next to Darcy. She waved briefly. “She’s not in any hurry.”

She sagged with relief. “Oh, thank God. I thought for sure we’d run out of time.”

“Again, not a problem. That’s why it’s nice to work with friends.”

She moved forward to join their friends, but Maddie pulled her into a tight embrace again. Their friends were all gathered several feet away, all of them wrapped up in their own conversations.