Page 103 of Moonstruck Kiss

“Like everybody else, it seems,” my dad says, looking around.

“I wonder why she asked us to be in the front row,” I muse.

“She did?” Mayor Davies asks. “She didn’t tell me anything.”

I exchange glances with my family, and we shrug together.

Were we the only ones who got asked to sit in the front row? I know Emory and her family weren’t, but I’m saving a seat next to me for Emory.

“I just got a text from Cutie,” Maggie hollers. “She’s on her way!”

Magnus, in full police uniform, steps up the stage with a microphone. “Everyone, please sit down,” he requests. When the din reduces, he continues. “None of us know why we’re here, but Cutie told me it’s nothing bad.”

“What does she mean by that?” Voovoo calls out.

“Your guess is as good as mine, Voovoo. But if Cutie called this town meeting, it must be important. But not bad. So, let’s all relax and wait for her to arrive. And please don’t call or text me or Mayor Davies with questions because we don’t have the answer for you, okay?”

I nod while others are more vocal with their assent.

“Thank you,” Magnus says before getting off the stage.

Emory walks up the front and sits next to me. “This is so exciting.”

I snicker. “Exciting?”

“Well, if it’s nothing bad, then it must be something good. Can’t wait to see what it’s about.”

I look around the room packed with people, craning my neck. “I wonder where the Quinns are. Did you see them when you came in?”

Emory shakes her head. “Maybe they’re on their way.”

“They’re coming!” someone shouts.

“They?” I say to Emory.

I keep my gaze trained at the back door, waiting for Cutie and whoever she’s with to walk in.

Cheers ring out as Cutie enters—followed by Elsa, Evan, Liss…

And Brax.

My heart stops for a beat before galloping as I follow his movements. He’s walking up the aisle along with the rest of his family and Cutie. Is this meeting about them?

I barely notice the noise dying down, but when I realise that everyone seems to be watching me, I look down at the ground.

“You okay?” Emory asks while Josie, sitting on my other side, squeezes my hand.

I nod. They knew how distraught I’d been after Brax left. Despite my unwillingness to talk to him or forgive him, his unexpected departure without saying goodbye still hit me hard.

Murmurs from the crowd make me lift my gaze, and I’m surprised to see Brax walking up the stage, holding the mic.

He locks eyes with me before speaking. “Good afternoon, everyone.”

My breathing shallows and I mentally berate myself. I have no idea what he’s going to say but I’d better steel myself for whatever it is. The last thing I want is to become emotional in front of all these people.

I sit up straighter and act impassive.

His chest heaves and he glances at the rest of my family one by one with an apologetic smile on his face. Then he addresses the audience. “First, I want to say that I only wanted to talk to the Barkers and my family, but Cutie thinks it’s best that I stand up here in front of all of you to try to explain myself. Much as it scared the hell out of me at first, I now think it’s a good idea?—”

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