She seemed to relax a fraction.
I cleared my throat. “What’s the angle? I mean—a big, luxury travel magazine wants to cover the Cove…” I drummed my fingernails on the table and squinted at him as if to say, “Do I even need to finish?”.
“Well, like I said, they already love it,” Teddy replied, but looked away far too quickly for my liking.
I leaned in. “What aren’t you telling us?”
“I—”
“Don’t be so negative, darlin’,” Mom hissed.
“It’s really okay, Teddy.” Georgie shifted uncomfortably. “We’re grateful for any exposure we get.”
“No,” I snapped over my shoulder. “This could be the difference between these businesses having a steady income, or Bluebell Cove becoming a national laughingstock.”
“I would never do that,” he murmured.
Georgie frowned. “I seem to remember, not too long ago, you couldn’t have cared less.”
“I’m just trying to help,” I replied.
“That’s not what it’s soundin’ like,” Mom interjected.
I sent her a withering look that made her throw up her hands and exit the booth.
“Hey,” Teddy said.
“I’m sorry,” Georgie quipped, “But this is still my thing. And I think it’ll be good. Remember what happened with the Summer’s End Festival?”
I groaned. “Georgie, that was pure luck.”
“Hey,” he said again.
“Pure luck? Because I’m notMargot Wade,and I don’t movethroughmountains?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Hey.”
“What?!” We shouted in unison.
Teddy’s eyes widened and he silently pointed beside him. Rhett blinked, lips pursed as he glanced between us.
“Rhett!” Georgie cooed, our bickering forgotten in a split second.
He squeezed her hand across the table and twisted toward Teddy. “Who’re you?”
“That’s Teddy,” I all-but grunted.
“And I didn’t even see your lips move,” Rhett stage-whispered, “Fascinating.”
My cheeks flamed as they fell into introductions.
Georgie tucked a hair behind her ear and shot me an anxious look. I didn’t have to ask what was on her mind: it was a plea.Don’t make it harder than it needs to be.
And this was only the beginning.
CHAPTER FOUR
