“She thinks anyone standing within three feet of each other is a couple,” she says, but her voice dips slightly, softer, like the idea isn't entirely unappealing. “I wouldn’t read too much into it. She’s a gossip and a matchmaker. Or she likes to think she is anyway. You just have to…” She sighs very heavily. “I don’t know, get through it.”
“I see.”
“Oop, look, we have another guest.”
I follow Josie’s eye line to find Mayor Willa sweeping in with her dark eyes scanning the place as if she wants to make sure it’s good enough forhertown.
She greets every table like a cruise director on caffeine and shouts into the kitchen, “Darlings! This place isdivine!” before making a beeline for Josie.
“I expect full participation in the upcoming Pie Parade,” she tells her, hands clasped over her heart. “You’re a star, darling. Aculinary revelation! Also, have you and Knox picked your float theme yet?”
“What?”
Josie grins, shaking off whatever was plaguing her before. “We were thinking 'Forbidden Fruit Tartlets.’”
Willa gasps. “Scandalous! I love it!”
I might pass out.
Then, of course, Eli and Jude show up like a pair of stylish hurricanes. Eli’s in a mesh shirt and combat boots, Jude’s wearing a “Kiss the Chef” tee that has clearly been altered to say “Kiss theBoss.”
They’re livestreaming within seconds.
“Say hi, Knox!”
I glare.
“Perfect,” Jude says. “Smolder cam activated.”
Josie saves me. Again.
She throws a towel over my shoulder and leans close. “Smile, grumpasaurus. This is good for business.”
And it is.
The restaurant is full. People are happy. The food is being devoured and complimented.
And yet, all I can do is watch her.
She moves through the space like she’s been here forever. Laughing with the staff, chatting with customers, calming the chaos with a flick of her wrist and a wink that probably shouldn’t make my stomach flip.
This isn’t what I’m used to.
My life in the city was all sleek lines and silent elevators. Stainless steel. Contract clauses. Clean breaks.
Josie?
She’s loud. Warm. Infuriatingly quick with a comeback. She knows everyone’s name. Knows who just had a baby, who’srenovating their porch, and who accidentally rear-ended the mayor in the grocery store parking lot.
She fits here.
Shebelongshere.
And for the first time in a long time, I want to belong somewhere, too.
By the time the last plate is cleared and the kitchen cleaned down to the tile grout, the only sounds left in The Marrow are the quiet hum of the fridge and the soft rustle of Josie’s apron as she takes it off and tosses it in the laundry bin.
She looks exhausted, but glowing.
