“Actually…that is what it’s called,” Beau cut in. “Sorry to side with your friend here, but…that golden crust on the outside? That’s the Maillard reaction. Technically caramelization.”
I gaped at him. “How the hell do you know that?”
“I like cookin’,” Beau said. “And I was an A+ student in chemistry.”
“And he’s smart, too?” Shane asked, cocking an eyebrow. “Jesus.”
I huffed, shoving Beau gently. “Traitor.”
We all went quiet for a moment, the only sounds the crackle of the fire, the clink of bottles, someone’s low laugh from the porch. June and Silas were sitting on the top step, her head on his shoulder, lost in conversation as Silas drew lazy circles on her back. Ivy and Ash were sitting on Shane’s other side, Ivy scrolling her phone while Ash side-eyed Holden, who was trying to instruct Ivy on how best to roast a marshmallow. Delilah was half-asleep on a wooden bench, her legs draped over Whit’s lap, his hand resting delicately on her calf like he couldn’t believe she was touching him.
It was domestic and weird and perfect.
And somehow, it didn’t scare me at all.
The fire popped, and I leaned in closer to Beau, nestling into his warmth. No one batted an eye at us—though I saw Rhett smile a bit, nudging Willow. The two of them sat like royalty presiding over the family, matching camping chairs set side by side.
This…this was peace.
Delilah cracked an eye open, looking over at Shane.
“So are you movin’ in too, or just stayin’ for the wedding?” she asked.
Beau choked on his beer, sputtering. Milo, who had spent the past hour snoozing on his knee, woke up just long enough to lap up the stray drops.
Shane took it all in stride, shaking his head as he pulled the marshmallow out of the fire. “I’ve gotta get back to Austinat some point,” he said. “Lucky for me, I’m the one who gets to deal with studio space, speaking engagements, contracts…Noelle gets to be the off-grid eccentric.”
“Hey, I earned that right,” I told him.
“Not saying you didn’t—just making it clear I’m not relocating anytime soon,” Shane said. “But I will come back for the wedding.”
I blushed, but I didn’t argue. It was a joke, right? A common, funny joke to make about couples who were joined at the hip.
I hadn’t even told Beau I loved him…but somehow, everyone else already knew.
Delilah sat up, Whit moving his hand to poke the fire with a stick. Nobody seemed fazed by the prospect of me and Beau getting married…it just seemed like an inevitability.
“Are you even going to get an episode out of this?” Delilah asked. “Seems like a shame to have been detoured and not cover any of our local legends.”
“I don’t know, don’t seem that bad,” Rhett said. “Wouldn’t want people swarmin’ all over lookin’ for monsters.”
“The Gloamstrider, right?” Shane gave me an accusatory glance. “Noelle made it seem like it was just local weirdness. Said she got a few interviews, a few photos of the festival…figured I’d slap it together for a bonus drop.”
“Oh hell no,” Whit said. “Not just weirdness. I’ve seen it.”
“Here we go again…” Delilah muttered.
Whit leaned forward, eyes catching the firelight. “I’m not kidding. Foggy Creek. Last week. I saw it again.”
I turned toward him. “You didn’t mention that.”
“You were a little preoccupied,” he said.
“Yes, we all know they’ve been fucking like rabbits,” Shane said, drawing a surprised snort from Rhett. “But I’m much more interested in the story.”
“Youcannottrust him,” Delilah said. “Not only is he very frequently stoned in the woods, he’salsoa liar.”
“You’refrequently stoned in the woods,” Whit shot back.
