Page 56 of The Overdue Kiss

His eyebrows are high, nearly hidden under his hairnet. He brushes his pink fingers down his frilly white apron, leaving streaks on the fabric.

“Reese just picked me up. But I have to say, I’m intrigued. What is with all the strawberries?”

“Maya, may I introduce you to the man behind Granny’s Jams? They are legendary in these parts. Most of the restaurants in Rocosa carry them.”

His face heats, matching the stains on his apron.

My jaw drops. “Is this your granny’s business? The one you told me about? You kept it going?”

He fidgets. “Yes.” Unable to handle the scrutiny, he turns back to the stove and mixes.

“Des.” I walk around the counter. “Don’t be embarrassed about making jam. I think it’s sweet.”

“It just feels a little emasculating when I hear it aloud.”

“The apron is doing that enough on its own,” Reese states before flopping on his couch.

“Hey! No lying down on the job. I need you over here prepping the next batch.”

“I can help,” I offer. “I mean, if you don’t mind showing me what to do. I’ve never made jam before.”

“Usually Reese...” He glances between me and his sister.

Reese waves us off. “If she wants to do it, by all means have at it. Taking up the jam business was your grand idea anyway,” she says, pulling out her phone to scroll. “I’ll help you taste test.”

“Of course you will.” He rolls his eyes.

She flounces on her back, sprawling out completely. “What can I say? I’m here to help.”

He presses his lips together and moves to the cutting board. “Don’t feel pressured because my sister is a lazy mooch.”

“No, I want to. It will actually give me something to take my frustration out on. What do you need chopped?”

He spins around, his silver eyes drilling into me. “What happened?”

I fill him in on Ms. Monroe’s email, even reading it word for word at his request.

“I knew she was going to do this. She was a bear to get past when we updated the schoolhouse two years ago.”

“But you did it? You were able to get her to sign off on ‘cosmetic changes’?”

“Not me but a hundred angry parents who signed my petition. You have to go to one of the meetings and wave it in her face.”

“I wouldn’t mind waving my fist in her face,” I grumble.

Des smirks. “No need to resort to violence. We’ll write up the petition tonight, and I’ll help you collect the signatures. Showing we have the town’s support is essential. It’s hard to say no to that.”

“Perfect. Mr. Sherman said he would sign as the founding family’s representative. When is their next meeting?”

“I’m not sure. It’s usually monthly.”

“I know,” Reese pipes up from the couch. “This Thursday. Lewis was complaining about parking. The spots on Main Street always fill up when there’s a meeting.”

“Thursday,” I repeat, nodding my head. “I won’t miss it.”

“Me too.” He cringes. “But if we do this, the whole town will know the library is closing. I know you were trying to avoid it.”

I sigh. “I know, but I have to. If I don’t tell them now, then they will think I just let this happen without a fight. And trust me, I’m giving Ms. Monroe everything I have. It’s going to be the best speech I’ve ever written.”

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