Page 78 of Tessa and Nash

This is some romance novel plot line where love fixes land disputes, and small towns cheer because the future is saved by kissing.

Mayor Caldwell continues, “Some residents are hopeful. Others are skeptical. There are rumors…”

My stomach twists. Thomas Long’s fingerprints are all over that word.

“And,” she adds, very carefully, “there are those who believe the engagement is… convenient.”

The lie sits up inside me as a snake.

Faith’s gaze snaps to mine, a silent question: Is it?

I can’t answer without detonating my whole life.

“So,” Mayor Caldwell says, “will the engagement help?”

Her eyes hold mine.

And I have no idea what to say.

“I… don’t know yet,” I admit, and it tastes of failure.

Mayor Caldwell studies me for a beat, then nods once. She respects honesty even when it’s inconvenient.

“Then we proceed cautiously,” she says. “I’ll need you to provide full documentation of your boundary surveys and any historical filings. We’ll schedule a review with the county recorder if necessary.”

My pulse is pounding.

“Okay,” I say, because that’s all I’ve got.

Faith closes her laptop gently, ending the meeting before I bleed out on the table.

Mayor Caldwell stands. “Thank you both for coming. This isn’t a no, Mr. McCoy.” She pauses. “It’s just… not a simple yes.”

I nod, stiff. “Yes, ma’am.”

Faith shakes the mayor’s hand, all professionalism.

I follow her out of the room, feeling like someone swapped my bones for ice.

We step outside into the cold. The January wind slaps my face.

I stare at the street, at Main Street lights still hanging even though Christmas is long gone, at people walking because their lives are normal.

Mine is made of glass.

“Does Tessa know about this?” I ask, and I hate how much it matters.

Faith’s eyes narrow slightly. “She’s a Long. And she works at Town Hall. If there’s paperwork, she might.”

My stomach drops further.

Or she might not.

Either option is terrifying.

“Go home,” Faith says, nudging me lightly. “Talk to your mom. Get your land records. If there’s something weird, Maggie will know.”

I swallow. “Yeah.”