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Damn, she came dressed to kill. I almost tripped over a toddler’s ride-on car, getting a good eyeful of her, which would be a disaster if the keg went down. But worth it to see her in a crimson sundress with white polka dots and buttons teasing me down the front.
“It’s always about marketing with you, isn’t it?” I chortled, giving her crap about it. “Step away from the clipboard. Today is the official Holly Creek Day of Relaxation, if you didn’t know. That means no work.”
“Thank God. I needed a break,” Jessa complained. She’d swapped her usual bartender head-to-toe black for an emerald-green floral dress. Compared to Sophie’s slender frame, Jessa’s was curvy, or plenty for a man to hold, as she always put it.
Ogling Sophie’s curves, she had plenty enough formeto hold. I tried not to sneak glances at her while I removed the old keg from Richard’s fridge and installed the new, but she entered my line of sight, and my chest constricted.
Fuck. Why did I have this reaction to her every time?
“Is this the Frosty Froth?” She giggled, bringing up another name we’d come up with.
“Nope. It’s the Sleazy Elf,” I replied, testing the new one I’d thought of in the shower while I jerked off to thoughts of her.
“Hm. Is it the spices you used or the man who brewed it that makes it sleazy?” With a gleam in her eyes, she tapped her chin with a pen. She hadn’t tasted it yet. I wanted her and Jessa’s fresh opinions today, like everyone else.
“Guess you’ll have to take a sip and find out.” I narrowed my gaze on her red stained lips.
Vivian appeared by my side then, carrying a tray of frosted glasses. “Finally, a day off. How did things go at Hops? I feel like we’ve been passing each other and never had much time to talk all month.”
“The numbers don’t lie. Best July ever for the brewery. How about over your way? Who sold the most cookies, you or Flora? And where are the babies?”
“They’re inside with Paris. Flora is monitoring them… which means she lost. She offered to babysit as my reward.” She moved off to Richard’s side to micromanage his work at the grill, and I filled the glasses. “Hard to beat a hometown favorite that’s been here for years longer than my Cupcake Cottage, but I’ll still try every year.”
Rex was the first to grab a pint of my new brew. Soon we all held frosty mugs in our hands, quickly melting from the blistering sun.
“We need a toast,” Richard announced. “Raise your glasses to the town of Holly Creek. May it and those in it always prosper.”
“That’s it? You couldn’t come up with anything more clever?” Rex joked.
“Asshole. You make a toast then,” Richard shot back.
“Nope. One is good enough. Cheers to all.” He clinked glasses with Chelsea first. I clinked mine with Jessa and Sophie, giving them both a wink of my eye.
“Down the hatch. May we drink in good health?” I took a swig and relished in the flavor profile of cinnamon, pumpkin, cloves, and my personal secret that added a smokiness to it all.
“Ah. Yes. I can totally taste the spices in this malt. Excellent.” Rex wiped the foam off of his upper lip.
“Masterful,” Richard added. His praise meant a lot, especially considering his time and investment in my business.
“It makes me want everything fall-ish right now. Especially if it beats this heat,” Chelsea exclaimed, fanning herself.
Jessa chimed in with, “You know, I love everything you make, Keaton, but this might become my new favorite. The day you launch this, I can see more tips coming my way this fall.”
Sophie eyed everyone and prepared to take notes on her clipboard. “Would you all say it’s warm and comforting or festive and flavorful?”
“Both?” Rex said.
“But if you had to choose one?” She continued to pry and prompt for a few more minutes. Clearly, she didn’t know when to stop.
“Okay, enough work. Let’s get back to relaxing and enjoying the day,” I chided her. She let her shoulders fall, grinning sheepishly, and put away the survey.
Suddenly, a woman shouted from the back door of the house.
“Merry Christmas in July, everyone. Surprise!” All heads turned to find Maisy standing there, with Brooks behind her, both freshly tanned. They strolled into the party like travel bloggers without a care in the world.
Flora came out from the house and joined Chelsea in screaming, and Vivian clapped like someone had won an award.
“Maisy!” Sophie ran to them and they all formed a group hug of shrieking women.