“Just thinking.”
“About?”
About whether I’m making the biggest mistake of my life.About whether going back to Chicago means giving up something I didn’t know I needed.About whether three weeks is enough time to figure out who I am when I’m not trying to prove anything.
“About how good the turnout is,” she said instead.“The Harbor Ladies really delivered.”
He studied her for a moment, and she knew he didn’t believe her deflection.But he didn’t push.
“They did,” he agreed.“I think we might actually hit our fundraising goal.”
“We’ll exceed it.”She took a sip of lemonade.Too sweet, but refreshing.“Kathleen from the tourism board is sending a photographer next week to get some preliminary shots.They want to promote the festival on their social media.We can share the posts.”
“Look at you, always thinking marketing strategy.”
“Don’t sound so surprised.”
“I’m not surprised.”His voice softened.“I’m impressed.”
The compliment wrapped around her like a warm blanket on a chilly night.She’d spent years chasing praise from clients and supervisors, always needing external validation to feel capable.But Bryan’s approval felt different.It felt real.
The band returned to the gazebo and launched into something upbeat.Children ran shrieking past them, chasing each other around the picnic tables.Mayor West was deep in conversation with Captain Roy near the edge of the square.
“Thank you,” she said suddenly.“For not writing me off as another corporate outsider trying to ruin everything.”
“I definitely wrote you off at first.”
“I know.I was there.”She laughed.
He smiled.“But you proved me wrong.You kept showing up.You listened.You cared about getting it right.”
“I still care about getting it right.”
“I know.”He shifted closer, just enough that their shoulders brushed.“That’s why this is going to work.”
She wanted to ask whatthiswas.The festival?Their partnership?The fragile, terrifying thing growing between them?
But she didn’t.Because some questions didn’t have answers yet.Some things just had to unfold in their own time.
Bryan touched her elbow lightly.“Want to get out of here?Take a walk?”
She should probably stay, network with the committee members, and thank the volunteers.Do the responsible, productive thing.
Instead, she said, “Yeah.I’d like that.”
They slipped away from the fundraiser as the band played on.The music followed them down the street, fading gradually as they walked toward the water.Neither of them spoke, but the silence felt comfortable and natural.
The night air was warm and salt-sweet.Somewhere in the distance, she could hear waves meeting the shore.She didn’t know what would happen in three weeks, but right now she wasn’t going to worry about it.She slipped her hand into Bryan’s.
