Page 67 of The Love Syllabus

Kendra and Jeff immediately stand. Their posture shifts and their movements are quick.

I glance between them, trying to place the woman and her husband.

“Celebrity?” Cory scoffs at the woman like she just told the world’s funniest joke. “Kerry’s far from that.”

Police Commissioner Martin nudges his son, his irritation barely concealed. “Show some damn respect, you idiot.”

For the first time tonight, Cory shuts up. The woman, poised and completely unbothered, extends her hand toward Vic, smiling warmly.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Chef Grimes. We love your restaurants and are so excited you’re bringing a cooking show to Greer.”

Vic shakes her hand, nodding politely, but it’s when she turns to me that I sit up straighter.

“And you,” she continues, voice filled with genuine warmth. “You must be Kerry Kind. I’ve heard so many great things about you.”

My brows shoot up. Who is this woman?

I press a hand to my chest, glancing around at the obvious higher-ups in our town before looking back at her.

“I’m so sorry, ma’am, but I’ve been on the Beverly Mills side of town all my life, so I don’t think I even know who you are.”

Cory snorts under his breath like I just proved his point, but the woman simply glances at him, her expression dripping in disappointment. She doesn’t dignify his ignorance with a response. Instead, she looks back at me, lifting her chin with grace.

“I’m Governor Carter. Well,formerGovernor, but they still like to call me that still.”

Oh, she’s important.

She gestures to the man beside her, proud and confident. “And this is my husband, the honorable Judge Boom.”

Jeff and Kendra exchange knowing smiles before stepping forward to hug them, all warmth and familiarity. Everyone receives a warm welcome. Everyone except Cory and his father.

Then, Governor Carter turns back to me. “Ms. Kind,” she says, voice softer now but still steady, strong. “Vicky Grimes is a new friend of mine, and she told me about you…” She lets the words linger before finally flicking her gaze toward Cory. “Abouteverything.”

The table stills, and the entire restaurant feels like it’s holding its breath. Jeff and Kendra don’t flinch. Because they know. They all know.

Who hasn’t heard a version of the story of what happened to me? Well, Vic hasn’t.

And when I turn toward him, I see the confusion on his face. He’s trying to understand, trying to piece together the weight in the governor’s words, but he doesn’t know. He doesn’t know the kind of monster sitting just a few feet away.

Then, it dawns on me. This is who Vicki was talking about—the people she wanted me to meet. The people who would help me break free, once and for all.

Governor Carter gently squeezes my hand. “I understand the new town merger has put a strain on a lot of families, especially on your side of town. Many great peoplehave unfairly lost their jobs, but I assure you, things will be made right. And crimes that were committed and covered up? They will be exposed.” Her words land exactly where she intended them to. “You matter, Kerry. Jeff and the judge’s office will call you soon. A friend of Vicky Grimes is a friend of ours.”

Without thinking, I hug her tight, full of emotion. For years, I assumed people in Greer were just greedy, corrupt, and untouchable, but it’s my own town, Beverly Mills, that condemned me the most for surviving something I had no control over.

Governor Carter gives one last withering glare toward Cory and his father before she and her husband exit the restaurant. I don’t look to see their reaction, but I know Cory hates it. He hates that I’m winning without him. He hates that I got out and got over him. He hates that I’m still respected. He hates that I’m still here. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I have people on my side.

The rest of the evening passes easily and laughter flows between me and Vic like nothing ever happened. Like he didn’t fumble his chances with me. Like his stupidity doesn’t drive me crazy. Because when we’re like this, just existing in each other’s space, we fit.

By the end of dinner, I’ve somehow agreed to help organize the End of Summer Block Party and resume my old duties as co-organizer of the Fall Festival, thanks to Kendra’s relentless convincing.

The drive home is quiet at first, just the sounds of soft music and the occasional flicker of streetlights painting the inside of the car. I try to act like I still have an attitude, like I’m not feeling completely in my element after tonight, like Vic didn’t just charm the hell out of me at dinner by being the kind of man who stands firm in a room full of powerful people to makes sure I’m seen.

I shift in my seat, look out the window, and refuse to acknowledge the energy radiating from his side of the car.

“So,” he drawls, voice laced with amusement. “You just gonna sit over there and pretend like you’re still mad at me?”

I blink, slow and unimpressed, before dragging my gaze to his. “Oh, I’m not pretending.”

---