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I can’t help but crack a smile when I see she’s also wearing a witch’s hat.
I walk up to her just as Suzanne starts her speech to begin the festival.
“I guess we won the bet,” I murmur close to her ear as Suzanne drones on.
Margo shivers but I don’t think it’s the cold. She doesn’t lean toward me but she doesn’t pull away.
I catch sight of Margo’s mother standing near the catering table, a half-eaten black-rose cupcake in her hand, watching the line at her daughter’s pavilion like she’s never seen it before.
Everyone’s here. It’s time.
“You guys did a great job. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
I look down at her hand. Want to take it so badly my palms itch.
But I don’t. Instead, I tip my head toward the podium. A question. Margo looks at me for a long beat, then nods once. I walk over to the podium where Suzanne’s speaking, holding a microphone.
It’s time to fulfill her wish.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
MARGO
Panic rises up my throat as Marcus approaches the podium. He waits patiently while Suzanne continues.
I dart my glance over to my mother. She’d been dismayed when I told her I was continuing with the festival, but she’d shown up.
That’s something.
But now Marcus is going to fulfill my wish. He’s going to praise my thighs in public… but after those comments on Sugar & Coal’s social media, what will people think?
What will he say?
Marcus walks up behind Suzanne and gestures for the microphone. He taps it. It squeals, and half the crowd winces, Marcus included.
He clears his throat, and I want to disappear under the pavement.
“Sorry.” He leans too close to the mic. “I’m Marcus. I do your lawns.”
A few people laugh.
“I wanted to give a special thank you to Margo Reyes from Sugar & Coal for providing the pastries.”
I swallow hard. He asked, and I nodded. I could still stop him. I could run up there and—
“I’ve watched her work for nine days to get this done for everyone in Garland Falls.”
Gabe walks up to the dessert pavilion, staring at Marcus with a slight frown on his face. Cole follows him, his hands shoved in his pockets.
They stand a few feet away from me, watching Marcus.
“Marcus is giving a speech?” Cole asks incredulously.
“It’s my wish,” I whisper.
They both turn to look at Marcus. My heart is in my throat.
Marcus pulls a folded piece of paper out of his back pocket, looks at it, and puts it back.
