Girls. I felt Lucy stiffen behind me.
“We’re working hard,” I said evenly.
“Yes,” Collin said, nodding as if my statement had confirmed something he already knew. “Hard work is admirable and necessary. Especially when one is managing an investment.”
There it was. The reminder slipped in under the compliment like a needle.
Jane gave a small, polite smile that didn’t reach her eyes. Kitty’s garland tightened around her arm as her grip clenched.
Collin’s gaze slid toward the truck bed. “What is this for, precisely? Marketing.”
“It’s for the parade,” I said.
“Ah,” he said, delighted. “Yes, of course. Visibility. Community engagement. The appearance of success inspires confidence. A wise strategy.”
I had no idea how to respond to that without sounding sarcastic, which would have been satisfying but unhelpful.
Collin turned to me with sudden focus. “And you are the one spearheading this.”
“I’m coordinating,” I corrected.
His smile widened. “Coordination requires leadership and a forward-thinking mind.”
Kitty coughed, very obviously, like she was choking on the word ambition.
Jane’s eyes flicked to Kitty in warning.
Collin didn’t notice. He rarely did.
“I would like to assist,” he continued. “I have experience with public presentations.”
Lucy stepped forward slightly. “Do you?”
Collin turned his attention to her. “Indeed. I have spoken at several gatherings.”
Lucy’s smile was sharp and sweet. “That’s fascinating, but this isn’t really a speaking gig.”
I could feel the shape of the moment shifting, becoming dangerous. Not because Collin was threatening, but because he was persistent, and persistence had a way of exhausting people until they made concessions just to end the conversation.
I didn’t want to give him anything. Not a task, not a role, not a reason to linger.
“So,” Collin said, leaning closer, “tell me about your plans. Perhaps we could discuss them inside. It’s cold. You must be uncomfortable.”
I was uncomfortable, but not from the temperature.
“Actually,” Jane said quickly, stepping forward, “Lydia needs to help me measure the garland lengths.”
Her voice was calm, plausible, and urgent in a way that made it difficult to argue with without looking rude.
Collin blinked. “Measuring garland.”
“Yes,” Jane said brightly. “It’s surprisingly technical.”
Kitty’s eyes met mine, gleaming with triumph.
The pact.
I didn’t even have time to respond before Meri stepped to my side and gently took my elbow, steering me away with the smoothness of someone who had been born to execute quiet rescues.
