"There is no privacy in this town."
"No, there isn’t, as I can well attest given my peeping neighbor." Heather agrees cheerfully. "So you might as well just fess up. How long have you been dating? Is he a good kisser? Have you two…" She makes a suggestive gesture that makes Julie snort into her beer.
"I'm not discussing my sex life with you two."
"So thereisa sex life!" Julie practically shouts, making several customers turn to look at us.
"Keep your voice down!" I hiss.
"Give us the deets," Heather demands.
I look between them, knowing I'm not getting out of this. They're like bloodhounds who've caught a scent. "Fine. We're dating, okay? But it’s only been official for a week now. I don't know where it's going, especially when this competition is over."
Heather's expression softens. "You're worried it won't last."
"I'm worried it's just the intensity of the competition bringing us together. Once it's over and we go back to our normal routines…" I shrug. "What if we realize we don't like each other that much?"
"That's not going to happen," Julie says firmly. "Merri, the way he looks at you? That's not competition intensity. It's the real deal."
"You think so?"
"I know so. Marcus looks at me the same way, like I'm the only person in the room. And Logan is like that with Heather, too. We’re familiar with it, and Wyatt Dalton has it bad for you."
Heat spreads up my neck. "Really?"
"Definitely." Heather reaches across the bar to squeeze my hand. "Just take it one day at a time. Don't overthink it. Enjoy the fact that you're dating a ridiculously hot former Marine who makes excellent coffee."
"He cooks, too," I admit, smiling despite myself. "And he's surprisingly sweet and thoughtful. And he makes me laugh."
"Look at you, all smitten," Heather teases. "It's adorable."
"I am not."
"Oh, girl. You totally are. But don’t worry, we won't tell anyone."
I can’t bite back the scoff. "You're going to tell everyone."
"Probably." Julie nods, her grin evil. "But we'll make you sound good."
I laugh. "You two are impossible."
That evening, there's another town hall meeting to discuss the competition updates. Wyatt and I arrive a few minutes early, and he leads me to the seats in the front.
I feel the weight of curious stares as we pass, the low hum of whispers start before we're even halfway across the room.
"Subtle," I murmur as I sit next to him.
"Everyone already knows," he says simply, draping his arm around the back of my chair. "We might as well own it."
"Fair point."
Mayor Snyder calls the meeting to order, and I notice Ms. Mitchell sitting behind the podium, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction when she spots us.
"Good evening, everyone!" the mayor says, beaming at the crowd. "Thank you for coming out tonight. We have another exciting update about the Coastal Living Best New Business Competition."
The crowd murmurs with interest.
"The magazine has requested permission to interview each competitor," the mayor continues, "Some will be written features, others will include video segments for their online platform. Think reality TV style behind-the-scenes content."
