“Jenna—what did you do?”
She just grins. “And now you’re matched with Beau Callahan,” she says smugly. “You’re welcome.”
Something about her smile tells me I’m going to regret this. But the bells are ringing, people are clapping, and I’m too stunned to demand a full explanation.
Speed-talking, Jenna launches into a recap of everything I apparently missed. “They just started calling the matches. Team Let’s Go Viral is back again this year. Strolled up as if they own the place—ten minutes early, matching smiles, and already vlogging like professional marketers.”
She jerks her chin. “See them over there? Matching outfits in attention-grabbing neon. Coordinated social media poses. A whole influencer aesthetic.”
I huff.
“Bet they’re going to make TikTok videos of every second of the matchmaking contest with their flawless faces, filter-ready lighting, and followers for days,” Jenna continues.
My gaze tracks hers, and I spot Brittany Marlow fluffing the curls she coaxed into place this morning with a one-inch curling wand. Her bleached blonde hair is naturally pin-straight, but you’d never guess it from the bounce she’s achieved. She adjusts the glossy spirals with practiced flair.
Beside her, Chase Donovan launches a confetti popper with the fanfare of announcing a royal baby. I blink as glitter flutters through the air—because of course they brought a confetti popperanda glitter cannon. Jenna snorts, and I fight the urge to roll my eyes.
Jenna gives into her impulse and does roll her eyes—dramatically. “They even brought a full-size ring light.”
She doesn’t stop there. “That’s Lucy Brandt from the library,” she adds, nodding toward a couple standing stiffly near the cider cart. Matched with that guy who just bought the old Holloway place.”
The two of them stand a foot apart, smiling politely but clearly not comfortable with each other. Lucy fiddles with her glasses. The guy is tall and stocky, with a mustache and the glazed-over expression of someone still recovering from whatever home-reno disaster he walked into. He nods and smiles awkwardly, as if he’s at a job interview.
“And those two?” I nod toward a girl in a cowboy hat and a guy with purple hair, and Jenna smirks. “No clue who thought that was a match, but I’m living for it.”
They stand by the jam tent. Cowgirl is offering purple hair guy a spoonful of strawberry-lavender jam to sample, and he’s pretending not to notice the Stitch Sisters photographing the whole thing.
The crowd erupts in squeals and camera flashes. Team Let’s Go Viral is now performing synchronized hair flips.
Jenna points toward another pair near the fountain. “And there’s Team Barbie’s World. Also back again. They’ve already handed out heart stickers to half the square.”
Sure enough, Parker—aka Ken—dips Barbie Trina into atheatrical kiss worthy of a pageant finale. He yells, “LOVE IS IN THE AIR!” loud enough for the next town over to hear.
Peaches barks approvingly.
I fidget, scoping out the sneakiest way to get out of here.
Jenna elbows me & leans closer, staring me down. “You’re not leaving.”
I consider the scissors in my apron. Probably not the ideal scare-my-BFF-so-I-can-depart tool. I sigh.
“Fine. But only because I can’t find the exit through all these decorations.”
We ease our way through the crowd. Gretchen Asher and Gregory Williamson are making out under a rose arch despite their very public breakup yesterday in front of the fudge stand. They’re one of the newly matched couples this year.
The whole town knows they’ve been dating on and off for ages, but the Stitch Sisters must have decided the contest might actually help them figure it out once and for all. Jenna dubs them Team the Maybes on the spot, muttering something about delusions, chemistry, and questionable judgment.
Across the square I hear, “It’s pancakes.” Amanda Smith declares this in a no-way-I-am-wrong-on-this-one tone, pointing to a copy of her husband’s entry form as though it betrayed her. “Our first date was at the pancake fundraiser in the gym.”
“You just like being contrary,” Luis counters.
“You like me contrary.”
“Unfortunately, I do.”
The two of them have perfected bickering to the level of a competitive sport, but no one in Sweetpines is fooled.Everyone understands it’s their version of affection. Amanda and Luis Smith both teach at the high school and treat the festival like annual marriage therapy. Jenna nicknamed them Team Tune-Up, and no one argued. Not even Amanda.
The Stitch Sisters radiate pride in what they see as their unparalleled matchmaking skills. Reenie winks at me from under her lavender sunhat.
