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Seth, seemingly oblivious and still grinning, opens the back of the truck and then I remove my hand from Marcus’s arm.

Marcus steps forward, grabbing the first hay bale with one hand to slide it out of the truck.

Margo watches, brown eyes rapt, as Marcus carries two hay bales, one in each hand. They weigh around fifty pounds each, so it’s no small feat.

I take one myself and Cole does the same.

Seth, despite his claims to want to help, doesn’t make a move. He just stares at Margo.

“What brings a little lady like you out here?”

“I’m the owner of Sugar & Coal bakery. I’m providing the pastries.”

Seth whistles. “I sure would like to try one of your pastries.”

“I bet you would,” Cole mutters.

I sigh as we throw the hay bales into the supply room so they won’t get wet.

“I never fucking liked that guy,” Marcus growls.

“Guys, please,” I say, trying to be diplomatic.

Cole snorts. “Please. You look like someone stuck a lightning rod up your ass. Don’t pretend you’re not boiling with jealousy just like we are.”

“You’re not that evolved,” Marcus adds.

I roll my eyes.

“Maybe not, but I can control myself. Margo can make her own choices.”

“And she will,” Marcus says confidently. “But it won’t be fucking Seth.”

He spits out the name.

Cole nods, the two in rare agreement.

I wish I could be as confident. But Seth’s fun. Handsome. Closer to her age.

I let a breath out slowly through my nostrils to calm myself. Marcus and Cole have already gone back to the truck, clearly not wanting to leave Margo alone with Seth for long.

Margo and Seth chat as the three of us continue the job.

I hear snippets of their conversation.

“Do you live around here?”

“Close to the bakery. It’s on Fifth.”

“Oh, the one with the red roof?”

“That’s the one!”

“Thought you said you were gonna help unload,” Marcus grumbles as he walks by with two more hay bales.

Seth grins sheepishly, but he doesn’t stop looking at Margo.

“Tweaked my back getting down, I’m afraid.”