The warmth of his hand grounds me more than any pep talk could. "You make it sound easy."
"That's because it is." His grin softens. "We've got this, Gallagher."
Maybe we do.
Chapter 13
Wyatt
Merri paces in the production room like a caged animal, and I worry she's going to wear a groove in the concrete floor.
"They're going to be here any minute," she says for the third time in two minutes as she chews on her thumbnail.
"Merri." I catch her by the shoulders, stopping her mid-pace. "There's nothing to worry about. We'll talk about the beer, show them the brewery, and be professional. That's it."
"You keep saying that, but what if they ask directly about our relationship? The whole town knows we're together. Ms. Mitchell definitely knows. What if?—"
I kiss her, cutting off the spiral of anxiety. She stiffens for a second, then melts into me with a soft sigh.
"Better?" I ask when we break apart.
"A little." But she still looks nervous.
"We've got this. Trust me."
The video crew arrives exactly at two o'clock, consisting of a cameraman, a sound tech, and an interviewer named Rachel who has that polished, professional look of someone who does this for a living. They spend twenty minutes setting up,positioning cameras to get the best shots of the fermentation tanks and equipment.
"We'll start with Merri," Rachel says, gesturing to the chair they've set up before turning back with an encouraging smile. "Then Wyatt. Keep it conversational and natural. Just talk to me like the cameras aren't even here."
Merri's eyes go wide as she glances between Rachel and the door. "Wait, you're not interviewing us together?"
"Separately gives us better material," Rachel explains, stepping closer with her hand extended. "We want your honest take on how things are going, not a rehearsed team answer. Don't worry, we'll make you look fabulous."
Merri shoots me one last panicked look, and I give her an encouraging nod. "You've got this."
I retreat to the taproom while they film, not wanting to distract her or make her more nervous. Tommy's behind the bar, and I settle onto a stool, trying not to obsess over what's happening in the back room.
"She'll be fine," Tommy says, sliding me a water. "Merri's great on her feet. A natural storyteller."
"I know. I'm not worried." But my bouncing knee betrays me.
Thirty minutes later, Rachel appears in the taproom doorway. "Wyatt? We're ready for you."
I head back to the production room, expecting to see Merri there, but she's nowhere in sight.
"Where's Merri?"
Rachel shrugs. "She said she had to take care of something and disappeared right after we wrapped. I figured she was giving you privacy for your interview."
My gut twists with unease, but I push it aside. She's probably just checking on a delivery.
I settle into the interview chair, and Rachel launches into her questions. They're easy at first: why I started Recon Roasters, what drew me to coffee roasting, how my business has grown.
"I understand you served in the Marine Corps?" she asks.
"Yes, ma'am. Twelve years active duty with eight in Force Recon, including multiple deployments."
"That must have been intense. What made you decide to leave?"
