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“Delivery guy is a weird job for someone with a bad back,” Cole comments under his breath.

I snort out a laugh but Seth seems unfazed.

Finally we unload all the hay and Seth closes the back before turning to Margo.

“Would you like to—” he starts.

I’m surprised to feel my own feet moving as I walk over and take Margo’s elbow.

“Gotta go, lots to do before the festival.”

“It’s nearly dark out,” Seth says with a frown but I ignore him, ushering Margo back into the kitchen.

She stumbles as I practically push her forward.

“I was gonna offer him a box of pastries⁠—”

“He doesn’t need your pastries,” Marcus snaps. “Wayward Hills does.”

Margo scoffs. “There’s gonna be a million of them by the time we finish trials.”

Marcus doesn’t respond. We surround her in the kitchen almost like sharks and she steps backward. Cole and Marcus don’t seem to sense her discomfort, but I do.

“Let’s eat and get these packed up,” I say, and Margo looks at me gratefully. It makes my heart soar.

Margo perches on the box again, picking apart an apple tart with her fingers before eating it.

Cole stuffs cinnamon puffs into his mouth. Marcus chooses a cheese Danish, eating it slowly.

I abstain.

“So what happens next?” Marcus asks.

“More trials,” Margo continues. “We’ll start the real work two days before the festival. We’ll be working down to the wire to make sure they’re fresh for the festival.”

“That’s… what, seven hundred and fifty pastries a day?” I ask incredulously.

“Closer to a thousand,” she hedges. “Since I have the pavilion to do as well.”

“I’m gonna get fat,” Cole says happily, orange frosting all over his mouth.

Margo giggles and stands up to wipe it off with a napkin.

“I could get used to this,” Cole murmurs.

“Don’t. Tomorrow you’re getting a bib.”

I look away and Marcus huffs out a breath.

Cole grins his Cheshire cat grin.

I try not to hate them both.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

MARGO

Ilook between the three men.