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“It’s both,” Todd tells us proudly. “And it’s mine.”
I’m impressed. The young man doesn’t appear older than twenty-three or twenty-four.
“Today, you’re going to create a beer with a unique flavor,” Todd continues. “If it’s good enough, I’ll put it on my award-winning menu.”
“Really?” Stella gasps. “You would do that?” There’s an odd expression on her face as she looks at me, and I wonder if she’s thinking about Gabe and his company.
Damn Anya and this show. They’re despicable.
“Only if it’s really good,” Todd insists. “You have to put some thought into this.”
“Okay, but we don’t know what we’re doing,” I remind him, my reservations slipping away. I’m suddenly up for this challenge.
“I’ll guide you some of the way,” he promises. “Brewing consists of four steps, basically. Each one of those steps is broken down some, but the first one is preparation, which includes gathering of your materials—which is already done for you.”
He gestures vaguely at pots and other supplies that mean nothing to me yet. Behind him, I see a massive walk-in fridge, which Todd gestures toward.
“In preparation, it is also very important to sterilize your equipment—also done for you, since time is limited today.”
“Thank you,” Stella offers politely.
“Step two is brewing,” Todd continues. “When you’ve selected your ingredients, you’ll start to make your beer, boiling the water and adding the hops, barley, or whatever else you think is required.”
Stella and I exchange a quick glance. So far, this sounds painless enough.
“Then comes the fermentation stage, which will take, as I said, two to three weeks, depending on the ingredients you choose for your brew,” Todd goes on. “And when that is complete, the final step is bottling.”
“So basically, we’re just brewing today?” Stella asks.
“I would start with choosing your ingredients or adjuncts, or your beer will quite literally taste like water,” he says.
“Adjuncts?” Stella repeats. “I don’t know what that is.”
“They’re replacements for hops, barley, or malted grains. You’ll find them in here, too.” He waves us toward the walk-in fridge, and I draw in a breath at the sight of the options inside. “I’ll leave you to it. When you’re ready to brew, come find me in the bar, and I’ll get you brewing,” he says. “Choose well. Good luck.”
He disappears, leaving Stella and me at the foot of the fridge, staring at the endless rows of shelving.
“I feel like we’re going to fuck this up,” I blurt out.
Stella shakes her dark waves. “No, we’re not,” she reassures me quickly. “It’s just for fun, anyway, Forrest.”
I inhale sharply and remember the cameras are on me.
“You’re right,” I agree. “Let’s get to work.”
Together, Stella and I wander through the walk-in fridge, one of the cameramen following us at first, but he soon bows out as the cold gets too much for his flimsy t-shirt.
“It is cold in here,” Stella concedes. “But if it gets us away from the cameras for a few minutes, I’ll take the privacy.”
I kiss her cheek impulsively, relishing the blush on her face.
“Remind me never to do a reality show again,” I tell her.
“If you do the same,” she agrees. “Although I doubt after this, I’ll ever get another acting gig.”
I frown at her negativity. “Why are you saying that?” I ask, picking up a jar of honey. “You’re doing so well, keeping it all straight.”
“You’re just saying that because you want to get in my pants later,” she jokes.
