“Jesus Christ, this town is worse than the national sports press.”
I toss my phone onto the red velvet loveseat in the dressing room like it’s on fire.
On the screen, looping over and over, is a TikTok that has already taken over the entire county.
The subject?
Me.
Walking toward Sloane’s agency with a bouquet of tulips in my hand.
And Aunt Tina’s voice-over?
“Look how he’s holding them! That’s the grip of a man in love. Or a man who messed up really, really bad and is begging for forgiveness. Ten out of ten on the color choice—very soft-boy era.”
“There are already a thousand photos and videos of me bringing you flowers,” I mutter, dragging a hand down my face. “They even analyzed my body language. Apparently the ‘angle of my left shoulder’ indicates a desire to protect you mixed with sexual submission. What the hell are these people smoking?”
Sloane is sitting in front of the lit mirror, touching up that red lipstick that has officially become my personal obsession.
Despite the chaos, she smiles. A small, nervous smile—but it’s there.
“Welcome to my world, Becker. Privacy is an abstract concept around here. I’m not even sure the wordprivacyexists in the Elm Hollow dictionary.”
She swivels in her chair to look at me.
“Anyway… the briefing went well. We’re officially registered. Nino said we’ll get the full details soon.”
She exhales, and I watch her shoulders tense beneath that structured blazer of hers.
“Becker… prepare yourself mentally. We have to make our first official public appearance at tomorrow’s Town Assembly.”
She rolls her eyes dramatically.
“They summoned us. Like we’re defendants in court.”
I move closer and lean on the makeup counter.
“Well, technically we are guilty of disturbing the peace. I buy lingerie, you wear illegal lipstick… we kind of asked for it.”
She doesn’t laugh at my joke. Her gaze drops; her fingers twist the fabric of her tailored pants.
I know exactly what she’s thinking.
Not about the Assembly.
Not about us.
She’s thinking about Rae.
Yesterday’s data breach wrecked her. Sloane is convinced she destroyed Rae’s friendship and whatever was happening with Grant.
“Hey,” I say softly.
She looks up. “Mm?”
“Stop.”
“Stop what?”
