Page 37 of Stronghold

"Fine, fine. There's going to be a reality TV show that is supposed to put Church Street on the Vermont foodie roadmap. The mayor wants this to be a major stop for people seeking new food experiences. It looks like the first floor will be converted into a restaurant for the show, and the upper floors will be repurposed as kitchen labs that can host cooking classes afterward. Sounds like they want teams with a minimum of two people competing."

"Why?" Anita asks.

"Don't know. Because it makes for more interesting TV if people argue and things get heated during the show? Who knows," Wyatt says.

I sit back and look at the building across the road.

"I think that's a great idea. Apart from the whole TV show, that is."

"Oh my gosh, you and Skyler should totally enter the show," Anita says, almost shrieking with delight. "With your cooking knowledge and his maple products, you'd totally win."

"Whoa, no way, I'mnotgoing to be on TV."

"But if you win, imagine what it could do to your career and Skyler's business. You'd sky rocket into success," she says.

I smile at her and kiss her cheek. "Thank you for believing we'd be good enough to enter, but I've got to get back to work.

She pouts, and I pout back at her before taking the empty plates and bottles. "I'll buy your next round."

The bar gets so busy that I end up forgetting about the group until Sky turns up just before we close. I look around, and his friends have left, but he's not looking for them.

He comes straight to the bar and sits on a free stool.

"Hey, what can I get you?" I ask.

"Can I have a soda?"

"Sure. Are you okay?"

He looks exhausted. I thought he'd have a break now that tapping season has ended.

After the festival, I didn't see him for a week until he came into the bar with his friends for a quick drink one night. I thought it would be awkward seeing him after spending the night in the same room, but there was no weirdness between us.

I was gutted when I realized I missed seeing him win his prize, but Oz needed cover, and I need all the money I can get my hands on.

With Pierre being a total dick, I’m starting to believe I’ll need to hire a lawyer.

"What time do you finish?" Sky asks.

"In fifteen minutes. I'm not on cleaning duty tonight. Why?"

"Want to grab a late burger?"

"Sure."

I leave Sky with his drink and go clear some tables to help out the guys on closing duty.

There's a place not far from Vino that stays open late, so when I finish my shift, I grab my stuff and meet Sky outside.

"You look beat. Why aren't you home in bed?" I ask.

He sighs and then shrugs. "I don't want to be on my own in the cabin, and I don't want to go home."

I put my arm around his. "Come on, let's go eat an early-grave burger. It'll make you feel better."

"I know. That's why I invited you."

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