I scrub a hand over my jaw. “Look, I just want to help. Kate’s terrified she’ll lose time with Evie, and I can’t let that happen.”
Brynn softens. “I know. And it’s good you’re thinking like that. But if you’re gonna do this, you need to do it right.”
I narrow my eyes. “Define ‘right.’”
“You will need to be convincing,” she says, like it’s obvious. “You can’t just stroll into mediation with a marriage certificate and expect everyone to buy it. You need the whole town believing it first.”
Knox sighs. “Oh, here we go.”
Brynn leans forward, undeterred. “This is Cedar Falls, gossip spreads faster than wildfire. If Haddie Carmichael posts that you two are in love, it’ll be accepted as gospel by lunchtime.”
I groan. “Brynn, no.”
“Yes,” she insists. “You want credibility? Haddie’s the key. She runs that Facebook page like it’s the Cedar Falls News Network. If we get her talking, the town does the rest.”
Knox snorts. “You’re really suggesting PR through Haddie’s rumor feed?”
“Exactly,” Brynn says proudly. “People see you two together, they start talking. Haddie gets wind of it, posts one of her‘spotted at Cedar Perk’updates, and suddenly everyone believes Coach Wells and the librarian are the real deal.”
I stare at her. “You’re out of your mind.”
“Maybe,” she says with a grin, “but I think you know I’m right.”
Knox laughs into his beer. “Honestly, she’s terrifying when she’s right.”
“Thank you,” Brynn says sweetly.
I shake my head. “You realize this is basically social media manipulation for a fake marriage.”
“It’smarketing,” she corrects. “And it’s for a good cause. If people think you two are serious, that stability image looks bulletproof. And maybe”—she gives me a pointed look—“it won’t have to stay fake.”
“Brynn,” I warn.
She just smirks, unbothered. “I’m texting Haddie.”
Knox bursts out laughing. “Oh, this is gonna be good.”
“Brynn, don’t you dare—”
Too late. She’s already typing furiously, muttering as she goes: “Something simple…‘Spotted leaving Penny’s Cafe: Coach Wells and our favorite librarian, looking cozy over coffee. Could love be in the air in Cedar Falls?’Perfect.”
I groan. “You didn’t actually send that.”
She beams. “I did.”
Knox wheezes out a laugh. “You’re officially front-page news, buddy.”
I drop my head into my hands. “I hate everything about this.”
“No, you don’t,” Brynn sings. “Because deep down, you know it’s going to work.”
Knox grins. “She’s not wrong, man. Once Haddie gets hold of this, you and Kate will be the talk of the town by dinner.”
I look up at them, half exasperated, half amused. “You realize the entire population of Cedar Falls is going to think we’re engaged by sunset.”
Brynn smiles like that’s exactly what she wants. “Good. We’re going to make this the most believable wedding ever.”
Knox raises his beer in salute. “To the happy couple.”
