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I could get used to this. My lower back has already committed.

Mama’s old “Whatta Man” CD suddenly makes a lot more sense.

Cole grabs the milk out of the backseat, walking it inside after giving me a dazzling grin.

What exactly is going on here?

Suspicion pecks at my brain, but I can’t quite put it together.

As Marcus finishes lugging in the flour, Gabe shuts my trunk and looks at me.

“We have our meeting at Town Hall soon.”

I pale. I’d completely forgotten about it.

“Oh, shit,” I mutter.

Gabe laughs and the rich sound goes straight to my stomach.

“It’s okay. We’ve got plenty of time. Would you like to ride with me or take your own⁠—”

“She can ride with me,” Marcus points out, coming back outside.

“Or me,” Cole suggests, leaning up against a beam as if he couldn’t care one way or the other.

My eyes flick between the three of them.

“I think I’ll take my own car.” I pause. “You’ll all be attending the meeting?”

“Naturally,” Cole says.

Marcus grunts.

Gabe nods. “Cole provides the donations to keep the festival running each year, and Marcus volunteers his time and men for the cleanup.”

“Ah.” I mean, I guess that does make sense. But something’s off.

Why are they all so eager?

Did… Did these three men claim my wishes?

I’m in the car, driving toward Town Hall when it hits me.

“And you didn’t think to tell us that she was coming?” Marcus had asked.

“There she is,” Cole had said, as if my entrance meant something.

A rabbit runs across the road and I swerve, nearly spinning out before I right myself. My heart racing, I manage to get back on the road.

They claimed my wishes. Cole Hayes. Marcus Sterling. Gabriel Rivera.

Three men in the age range I’d requested. Three men I’d met this week.

It has to be them.

There’s no other explanation.

When I arrive at Town Hall, I sit in my car for a long time, deciding what to do.