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“Oh, so he’s not eating fifteen pounds of berries?”

“That would be me.” Gabe turned to Grace. “I also⁠—”

“Had Atticus buy for you too?” She laughed. “Yeah, I figured that out when he bought an entire black outfit in the wrong size.”

“Wait, when was this?” Jade asked.

“A year or two ago? I didn’t say anything because I knew it would upset you. Although maybe I should have. Might have saved us all some time.”

“There were a lot of things I could have done to save us time,” Gabe said. “I know you guys have to have reservations and I completely understand.”

“Not as many as you would think.” Wren sighed. “I’ve never seen Jade happier than when she’s with you. And you’re not a total dick, so I guess we have to support you.”

“And your kids are hilarious,” Mollie said. “Even if they taught Jasmine the word ‘fuck.’”

“I’m sorry, I tried to stop them.”

Mollie waved her hand. “Don’t worry too much about it. She was gonna learn it from me eventually.”

“Out of curiosity, are you here to just say hello or are you joining for the meeting?” Piper gestured at the door to the town hall. “This one’s pretty important. Usually, I miss them because they’re crowded, but I’m gonna find a safe corner to hang out in.”

“Oh, our partners are going to be there too!” Grace said. “You should say hello to all of them as well.”

“I was coming,” he answered. “It’s time to fully be a member of Strawberry Springs.”

60

GABE

Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch

Tammy Jane: Since Kerry is rich now, can she come to the diner more often?

Comments:

Kerry Winsor: I’m too busy counting my money as you all pay me!

Mollie Wilson: She’s never gonna let anyone live this down, is she?

Kerry Winsor: You should have believed in love, Mollie!

Mollie Wilson: At least I got to participate in this one.

Wren Hackett: Same. It wasn’t us this time.

Jackie Anne: Does this mean Kerry is gonna run the grant now? I bet she would be good at it!

Kerry Winsor: Haha, very funny! We still don’t know anything about that! @Jade Clark Do you have any updates?

Kerry Winsor: Jade???

“Hey.” Cain held out a hand, his face set into a frown. “Name’s Cain. I think we met in passing.”

“We did.” I met his handshake, eyeing him carefully.

His jaw was tense and his grip was a touch too tight.

“Mollie told you, didn’t she?”