Page 102 of Middle Ground

“I do,” I say. “If they were really paying attention, they would know you get your way with the inn whether we’re sleeping together or not.”

She rolls her eyes. “Like you haven’t made changes.”

“That you agreed to. Eventually.” I squeeze her hand. “In case I haven’t made it abundantly clear, I understand and respect how much Dog Days means to you, Meyer. I only have your and the inn’s best interests at heart.”

Her gaze softens. “You have made that clear. I just didn’t really want to listen before.”

“And now?”

Her nose wrinkles. “Now I can be persuaded to hear you out.”

With an amused shake of my head, I tug on her hand, and then we’re heading for the front door of the inn. When we make it there, I turn to Meyer.

“Ready, baby?”

Slowly, she nods. “Ready.”

She goes to take another step, but I wrap an arm around her waist, tugging her against me. Her hand lands on my chest as she steadies herself.

I lower my mouth to hers, and she meets me halfway, melting into the kiss.

“What was that for?” she asks when we pull apart.

I grin. “Just because.”

Her answering smile is breathtaking. There was a time, not all that long ago, that she refused to smile at me, and now she gives them away freely. The thought makes something expand inside my chest.

Everyone packs into the restaurant before opening, just as they do every time we hold a staff meeting. I walk the muffins around the room. Since that first meeting I attended, I haven’t brought any of my own competing baked goods.

Once everyone has had their fill, we get down to business.

“Thank you for coming,” I say. “We appreciate it.”

“Did we have a choice?” Marsaili jokes.

“No,” I reply, “but I like to give you the illusion that you do.”

That earns me a laugh, from everyone except for Meyer. She’s standing blank-faced beside me, trying not to let her worry show. I touch a hand to the small of her back, encouraging her.

“The reason we called you here today is because we have something we wanted to tell you,” she says. She inhales deeply, steeling herself, before she continues. “Because of the nature of our partnership, it didn’t feel right to keep this from you. We want to be transparent. That said, I want you all to know that Jackson and I are…in a relationship.”

There is a moment of stretched silence, and then a collective cheer rises through the room. I spot Pippa grinning amidst the crowd, which mirrors the expressions on everyone else’s faces.

I can practically feel the relief that sweeps through Meyer. She was truly worried for nothing. These people love her.

“About damn time,” someone says.

“I knew it!”

“Dibs on planning the wedding!” Ashley calls.

Meyer’s cheeks flame as she glances shyly at me and then back to Ashley. She laughs awkwardly. “We’re a little far off from a wedding, Ash,” she says.

“That's okay,” Ashley replies. “I can be patient.”

Meyer covers her face with her hands, embarrassed, but I just grin. I could see it one day. We only just got together, so Meyer might get sick of me before then, but I can’t deny I like the idea of it.

“Was that all?” Marsaili asks. “You two had us scared half to death, thinkin’ you were sellin’ the place or something.”