Luke glances toward the windows."Is that the local news van?"
I look outside and see a small white van with "KOMO 4 News" emblazoned on the side.
"Shit."
"Should I ask why the news is here?"
"Mira may have been slightly more enthusiastic about that Instagram post than I realized."
The front door chimes as someone enters, bringing with them the crisp October air and the scent of coffee.
"Sage!"Sarah Mitchell calls from the entryway, carrying what appears to be an entire tray of coffee and pastries."I brought reinforcements!"
She bustles into the lobby, her natural hair wrapped in a colorful headband and her vintage band t-shirt already dusted with flour from the morning's baking.Her warm smile falters slightly when she sees Luke.
"Oh.You're really real."
"I get that a lot," Luke says dryly.
"Sarah manages the local café.Eleanor Fitzgerald’s place,” I explain."Sarah, this is Luke Sterling."
"I know who he is," Sarah says, setting down the tray and extending a flour-dusted hand."I read TechCast.That article about your new hospitality security platform was fascinating."
Luke shakes her hand, blinking steadily behind his glasses."You read the whole article?"
"I read everything about hospitality tech.I'm studying restaurant management, and cybersecurity for small businesses is becoming essential."She pauses."Also, Ellie called me at six-thirty this morning demanding I create a romantic breakfast special in your honor."
"A what now?"
"The Sterling Romance," Sarah says cheerfully."Two buttermilk pancakes shaped like hearts, local berry compote, artisanal sausage, and our signature mountain coffee blend.I figured if I was going to be dragged into this town-wide matchmaking conspiracy, I might as well lean into it."
The front door chimes again.This time it's Eleanor Fitzgerald herself, wearing what appears to be her finest vintage scarf and carrying a bouquet of autumn flowers.
"Perfect timing!"she announces."I brought centerpieces!"
"Eleanor," I start, but she's already arranging flowers on the registration desk like she's preparing for a photo shoot.
"Now, I know this is all very sudden," she says, addressing Luke directly, "but you have to understand that Sage is practically family to this whole town.We're very protective of her."
"I can see that," Luke says.
"And we're very supportive of her romantic endeavors," Eleanor continues."Especially after that disaster with Derek."
"Eleanor," I say sharply.
"What?I'm just saying, it's nice to see you with someone who appreciates quality."She beams at Luke."You do appreciate quality, don't you, Mr.Sterling?"
Luke's ice-blue gaze shifts to me, and I feel my cheeks warm under his scrutiny."I'm beginning to."
The front door chimes a third time.Now it's a woman with a notepad and a man with a camera.
"Excuse me," the woman calls."I'm Jenny Walsh from the Snoqualmie Valley Record.We're here about the Sterling romance story?"
I close my eyes."The what story?"
"Local innkeeper finds love with tech billionaire," she reads from her notepad."It's already trending on the town's Facebook page."
"Trending," I repeat.
