Page 26 of That Kind of Guy

I regarded the tray of stuffed mushrooms at a booth run by a local caterer and bit back my revolted expression. The Fair Planning Board must have run out of ideas.

I freaking hated mushrooms.

Emmett slipped his hand into mine again, and I fought the urge to yank it away. We had agreed on doing one quick loop of the fair, just to be seen, and then I could go home. I tried to relax my hand.

“There you go.” He grinned at me. “Just like that.”

Deep breaths, I told myself as irritation spiked on the back of my neck.

“Emmett.” A woman appeared in front of us, eyes glued to our locked hands, and a big grin on her face. Her eyes glowed with excitement, darting between our hands, myself, and Emmett.

“Hey, Miri.” He turned to me. “Avery, do you know Miri?”

I nodded and smiled at her. “Hi, there.”

Miri Yang was in her early forties and was a teacher at the high school as well as an avid volunteer around town. The woman was a social butterfly, constantly meeting friends for lunches and helping with town events. She was always in a cheerful mood, consistently polite, and tipped my staff well. That was good enough in my books.

My hand twitched, but Emmett held firm.

Miri’s gaze returned to where my hand connected with Emmett’s. “Oh, yes, I see Avery all the time at The Arbutus.”

“How’s Scott doing?” Emmett asked.

She dragged her gaze up again to his. “He’s good. You know him, he always wants to keep everyone happy, but it’s impossible.” She shrugged and shook her head. “He just has such a good heart.” Her eyes flicked back to our hands. “So, the rumors are true.”

Emmett squeezed my hand, and I ignored it.

“Rumors?” His voice was innocent. “What rumors?”

Miri’s gaze snapped up, and she smiled brightly. “That you two were together. I didn’t believe it.”

I pressed my lips together, hiding a grin. I liked Miri more by the second.

“Believe it.” Emmett let my hand go and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “I finally convinced this one to go public.”

I just stood there.

“Right, honey?” Emmett dropped his head to catch my gaze.

I nodded at Miri. “We’re so in love.” My tone sounded flat.

She clapped and clasped her hands together. “I knew it.”

Don’t laugh, I told myself.You’ll blow this whole thing.

“We need to get dinner together.” Miri pulled out her phone and flipped through her calendar. “Scott will be so happy to hear you’re settling down, Emmett.”

“Absolutely.” He pulled out his phone as well. “Sunday?”

Miri’s eyes lit up. “Sunday it is!”

“Great. See you then.”

Miri twiddled her fingers at us as she left, and Emmett turned to me. “We’re so in love?” He repeated my words from earlier. “Can you sound more convincing?”

My mouth dropped open. “What about you?Honey?”

There was challenge in his eyes. “Miri ate it right up.”

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