“Amazing turnout,” Clara said with a smile, sidling up to Maisie. She had a beer in her hand, her tight jeans on, and an even tighter black tank top. Her fiery red hair was straightened, her makeup a little darker. Mason was staying at the sitter’s tonight.
Maisie smiled, warmth radiating through her chest at the pride in Clara’s voice. “I really hope it’s enough to make us stand out.”
Clara scanned the crowd of partygoers. Her bright eyes met Maisie. “I’d say you’ve pulled off the impossible, Maisie. Look at what you did here. I never would have even dreamed of making this happen.”
Maisie snorted and gently pointed out. “Well, that’s ’cause you would have made it to the festival.”
“True.” Clara nudged Maisie’s shoulder. “But maybe it’s good you didn’t. Maybe you had to fail there to make this happen here.”
“Let’s hope so,” Maisie agreed, praying that was true. There was absolutely no way of telling if this party would simply be a party that the townsfolk talked about, or if it would gain some traction through social media. But one thing Masie knew for certain, she’d made a plan and executed it. Considering all she’d been doing lately was failing, this felt good.
The crowd gave off thunderous applause as the band finished a song, the lights flashing blue and red and green into the dark night. The lead singer picked right up again with his gravelly voice.
“Is Hayes coming tonight?”
Maisie shrugged at Clara. “I thought he’d be here already.” She couldn’t help wondering if pushing him too fast had made him shut down, and in turn, shut her out. There were no hot nights. No incredible rides through the meadows. He’d come to the brewery, supported her, but left quickly. “I’m sure he’ll be here soon.” She hoped.
Clara nodded, and then her gaze landed on something over Maisie’s shoulder.
“Trouble,” she said with a frown.
Maisie glanced over her shoulder. Immediately, her heart broke at the sight of Amelia and her fiancé, Luka, in a heated argument. Luka had a good couple of inches on Amelia, his lips a bit pouty, his jaw square, his hair dark and styled. All together, it made Luka very handsome, but he had barely been to the brewery lately. Amelia met Luka in college. They became engaged before she left Denver. Now, even Maisie saw they were struggling to adjust to their new life with Amelia living in River Rock and Luka living in Denver. Luka was a big city guy, working in finance. He didn’t belong in River Rock, but Amelia did. “What’s that all about?” Maisie asked Clara.
“He’s probably being an asshole like always,” her sister muttered.
Luka didn’t deserve Amelia. Everyone knew it, only Amelia couldn’t see past her love to realize it. Maisie was absolutely certain that one day, Luka was going to break Amelia’s heart.
The yelling match finally stopped and Amelia’s gaze connected with Maisie. “Shit!” Maisie gasped, looking everywhere but behind her. “Look busy. She’s coming this way.”
Clara stared straight ahead, a pillar of strength.
“I know you two were watching us,” Amelia said, sidling up next to Clara.
Maisie turned, her heart squeezing at Amelia’s tears. “Are you okay?”
“Not really.” Amelia wiped a tear.
Clara glared at Luka’s back as he walked away. “What did the dipshit do this time?”
“I’ve told you to stop calling him that,” Amelia snapped, offering a glare that should have burned off Clara’s eyebrows. “He just can’t stay tonight, that’s all.”
“Oh yeah,” Clara countered. “He’s got somewhere better to be?”
Amelia’s cheeks filled with color. She looked down at her boots. “There’s a game tonight. He’s got money on it.”
“Sounds very important,” Clara muttered. She gave a heavy sigh, and said to Maisie, “Let’s stay focused. Nothing personal affects tonight. All right?”
“Of course,” Maisie said, taking Amelia’s shaky hand.
“Why are you crying?”
Beckett’s hard voice snapped Maisie’s head to him. He looked like he was counting every one of Amelia’s tears to make someone pay for those tears later.
“I’m fine,” Amelia said after a few tense seconds, swiping at the tears on her face. “I’m just emotional. It’s been a stressful week.”
Beckett frowned, obviously not believing her.
Even Maisie didn’t believe Amelia. She wanted to shake Amelia by the shoulders and scream, “You belong with Beckett. Dump Luka’s ass. Wake up!” But Amelia didn’t hear much of anything lately, not when it came to her heart.
“You’re right,” Maisie finally agreed, lacing her arm with Amelia’s. “It has been a stressful week.”
Beckett’s gaze fell over to where Clara had been looking, obviously at Luka. The look he gave him promised death. But his eyes gentled when they landed back on Amelia. “Come on, let’s go get a beer. I’m sure you’ve saved a dance for me.”
Amelia nodded and laughed softly through the tears. “That sounds much better than standing here crying about nothing.”
Maisie watched them walk off toward Penelope and the other bartenders serving up Foxy Diva. Beckett kept his hands in his pockets. He did that a lot around her. Maisie was sure the move had become a habit, so he didn’t accidentally touch her. He’d been such a good friend to Amelia, no matter what happened between them. Maisie hoped they could find their way back to each other.
“Maisie.”
She whirled around at the familiar voice, her stomach somersaulting a little as she gazed into the sparkling blue eyes that had once won her over. Only, Seth had grown up in the few years it’d been since she’d seen him last. Gone was his baby face. In place, was a sculpted man, filled out with a toned body. “Seth, hi.”
He gave a crooked smile. “Hey.”
“I thought you moved to Boulder?” Or at least that’s the last thing she’d heard.
“Yeah, I did.” He gestured out at the party. “Got word of this. Wanted to come see it for myself.”
“Well, thanks for coming,” Maisie said, still reeling. She never expected to see Seth again. She quickly gestured at Clara next to her. “You remember my sister, Clara.”
“Yeah,” Seth said. “Hey.”
Clara gave him a quick smile. “Good to see you again.” To Maisie, she added, “I’ve got the night off and I’m determined to have some fun.” She lifted her beer. “But I need more of these before I’ll get out on that dance floor. Come find me if you need me.”
“I’m fine,” Maisie said, giving her a little shove toward Penelope. “Enjoy yourself.”
When Clara faded into the crowd, Seth said, “You look really good.”
Maisie turned back to Seth with a smile. “You too. You’ve gotten so…strong.”
His mouth twitched. “I work for the Boulder fire department now. I have some good training buddies there.” Those captivating eyes scanned over the crowd again. “I’ve got to admit, I wasn’t expecting you to end up at a brewery. What happened to your art?”