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He sighs, releasing my face and backing away. I almost whimper at the loss of contact. I reach out, entwining my fingers in his, desperate to re-establish the connection.
"You told me you had plans to win over the town," he says, "but until today, I didn't believe you. I thought your time in Friendly would be temporary."
"Isn't that what you want?"
He shakes his head.
"But if I leave, you'll be able to buy my building. Don't you want Hildy's Hut?"
He looks away. "Honestly? Yes. I know that makes me sound like a jerk, but I need more space, and Hildy's Hut would have been perfect. But I can't have it. It’s Sticks & Stones now."
Sticks & Stones.Mystore."You're okay with that?"
His gaze falls to my mouth. Instinctively, my tongue darts out to moisten my lips. "Space is overrated," he growls.
With that, he tugs me down on the blanket, folding his body around mine, until there's no space between us. When his tongue grazes my lips, I moan, clutching his shirt in my fists and pulling him closer.
Maybe he’s just manipulating me. This could be a ploy to get me to lower my guard or to cancel the fundraiser altogether.
But with his mouth on mine, I don’t care. In this moment, nothing else matters.
Oh, yes. Space isdefinitelyoverrated.
Chapter 13
Margo
Mylittleboutiquelooksdifferent filled with customers. I clutch Carlinya’s arm and lean down to whisper in her ear. “Did the whole town show up?”
She grins. “Half the town, anyway. Thefemalehalf. Now, go win them over, city girl.” Pressing a hand against my back, she gently pushes me toward the mayor.
"This is stunning," Mayor Tuck says, fingering the delicate pink lace of a dress in my sunset collection. It reminds me of my rooftop dates with her son, and I feel heat rise to my cheeks.
"Thank you. Every piece in the store was handpicked with love."
"I heard you were a buyer at Boutique Chrysalis?" a woman asks. I don't recognize her, but that's true of almost everyone here. After weeks of pretending I didn't exist, every woman in town has turned into a Chatty Cathy.
Carlinya catches my eye and grins, giving me a thumbs up. She looks beautiful, wearing a simple sundress and the headscarf I gave her.
"Yes, ma'am. I worked for Boutique Chrysalis for almost a decade."
"Do you know Briony Kelly?" another woman asks, her eyes wide with excitement.
I nod, surprised that they know who Briony is. Boutique Chrysalis has television commercials, but while Briony is famous within the industry, I didn't think anyone else knew her name.
"Is she as terrifying in person?" a third woman asks.
I frown. "I'm sorry, but how do you all know about Briony Kelly? I didn't think she was well-known?"
"She was a guest judge onThe Runway Project. I just love that show."
"That episode went viral."
"She was downrightcruel."
I bet she was. Abusing hopeful designers would be right up Briony’s alley."She has very strong opinions," I hedge.
"She was completely unreasonable. The contestants were only given chicken feathers and bubble wrap for material, but she expected perfection for the runway."
