Page 15 of Small Town Sash

Braden looked down at his partner, who was now lying on the grass, panting heavily, looking up at him adoringly. "I think he loves it. I mean, he gets to protect people all the time."

"Sounds like a good deal to me," Hadley replied with a smile. "I bet that's why you love it, too."

He nodded. "I couldn't imagine doing anything else."

An alert went off on Hadley's smartwatch, and she glanced down at it. "I have to go. My mom's going to be back at the gym in a few minutes to pick me up."

"You know, you should have the freedom to do what you want, not just what your mom wants for you," Braden pointed out.

"That's a nice idea, but it doesn't work in my world," Hadley stated with a sigh. "But it was really great spending time with you. Hopefully, we can do it again sometime."

"Here's hoping," he called out after her retreating figure.

Suddenly, life felt a whole lot more interesting—and certainly more unpredictable—than it had been before he met Hadley Wilder. He was beginning to see that was exactly how he liked it.

Chapter Five

Candace waved Hadley over to a corner booth in the bustling bistro, where two women sat sipping what appeared to be artisanal lemonade. "Hadley, meet Jenesa and Avery," she said with an enthusiastic flutter of her hands that almost knocked over a glass.

"Hi," Hadley managed, taking in Jenesa's pearl encrusted suit and Avery's floral blouse splattered with what looked suspiciously like what must be the B&B's soup special for the day.

"Charmed," Jenesa said, extending a hand, her grip firm and confident.

"Super excited to meet you," Avery chirped, nearly tipping from the booth as she leaned too far forward in her eagerness.

"I know your mom thinks you're here for sponsorship...which is not entirely untrue," Candace said with a wink that made Hadley's heart do a nervous jig.

"Ah, the pageant life. All glitter but no real gold," Jenesa quipped, swirling the ice in her drink.

"More than a pretty face, right?" Avery added, dodging a rogue crouton that decided to escape her plate.

"Exactly." Hadley felt her cheeks warm up. "I want to be known for more than just a tiara on my head."

"Good, because a tiara won't keep you warm at night unless it's knitted," Avery noted, deadpan.

"Or pay the bills," Jenesa added, raising an eyebrow.

"Unless it's stuffed with cash," Avery said, trying to stifle a giggle.

"Or wisdom." Jenesa gave Hadley a meaningful look. "Pursue what sets your soul on fire, not just what sparkles under stage lights."

"Though a little sparkle never hurt anyone," Candace added.

"This is true," Avery chimed in, grinning as she nearly knocked over her lemonade in a fit of enthusiasm.

"Points well taken," Hadley laughed, feeling lighter than she had all week.

"Okay, Hadley, spill it. What's your secret talent?" Avery leaned in, eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Uh..." Hadley hesitated, fidgeting with her napkin. "Secret talent? I mean, I sing at the pageants."

"No, not that. Come on," Jenesa prodded, "something that isn't 'pageant approved.'"

"Is eating a whole pizza in one sitting a talent?" Hadley offered weakly, earning a burst of laughter from the table.

"Absolutely," Avery declared. "But what about you? The real you, under all that hairspray and sash."

"Nobody wants to see that on stage," Hadley mumbled, but Jenesa shook her head firmly.

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