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Suzanne frowns, opening her mouth, likely to tell him that questions should be reserved for the end of the meeting.

I stand up, placing a hand lightly on Margo’s shoulder.

She freezes.

“Sugar & Coal’s muffins already have half the town talking,” I say loudly. “And Margo was just about to tell all of you to visit after the holiday is over.”

“Y-yes,” Margo stutters, finding her voice. “Please check the local paper for a coupon for a free pastry.”

The man sits down, grumbling.

“Let’s remember to save all questions for the end of the meeting. Thank you, Ms. Reyes,” Suzanne says evenly. Then her eyes track to mine. “And Mr. Hayes.”

Oops.

Suzanne doesn’t like me much, for some reason.

I sit down after Margo does and after a moment, I realize I’m being stared at.

Margo’s mother stares at me with shrewd brown eyes.

I give her my most charming smile, but she doesn’t smile back.

“I know it’ll be hard work to get everything set up by next Saturday,” Suzanne goes on. “But we have a bevy of volunteers to help. On that note, Garland Falls would like to give a big thanks to Mr. Sterling for donating his services for cleanup at the end of the event.”

Applause scatters around the room.

I glance back at Marcus. He stiffens but doesn’t stand. Most of his business is word-of-mouth, so this’ll be good for him. He’s just not the type to market himself, even though his work is impeccable.

The meeting goes on, something about volunteer sign-ups being in the back. Then it’s time for questions, and most of them are asinine.

By the time it’s over, my eyes are glazing over.

Margo stands up as soon as Suzanne steps down from the podium, looking like she’s about to bolt.

She leans past me to retrieve her purse, her hair brushing my jaw. “You’re enjoying yourself,” she murmurs.

“Not nearly as much as I could be.”

Her eyes drop to my mouth before she straightens.

Before she can get away, the man from earlier walks over to her.

“I’m sorry about earlier,” he murmurs.

Then he places a hand lightly on her forearm.

I frown but before I can stand, Marcus does. He takes a single step toward Margo and the man’s eyes flick to him.

He drops his hand immediately. “Oh, ah, I just… wanted to apologize.”

Margo gives him a bright smile, apparently oblivious to Marcus’s glare.

“No worries,” she says graciously and he nods, glancing at Marcus again before walking away.

Margo’s mother is still staring at me.

I swallow and start to smile, planning to put on all the charm and introduce myself. Before I get the chance, though, Margo grabs her mother’s elbow and ushers her out the back door.