Page 28 of Mistletoe, Mayhem & Mr. Grump
"And you're not concerned about dating someone in financial distress?" she presses.
"Everyone's in some kind of distress," I point out. "At least hers is just financial."
"What other kinds of distress are there?" Teddy asks with genuine interest.
"Emotional. Physical. Existential. Whatever's happening with Giuseppe's cooking," I list.
"Hey!" Giuseppe's voice comes from the kitchen. Because apparently he's here too.
"Why is Giuseppe in your kitchen?" I ask Delia.
"He's making refreshments. His therapy includes cooking for groups," she explains.
"Therapy?" Wren asks.
"For his competitive cooking disorder," Delia says carefully.
"That's a thing?" I ask.
"It is now," June confirms, still scribbling notes.
"This town has a lot of very specific problems," I observe.
"Every family does," Delia says. "Which brings me to my next point. Wren, dear, are you absolutely certain about this man?"
"Yes," Wren says immediately.
"Even though he appeared out of nowhere?" Delia presses.
"Yes."
"With no verifiable history?"
"Yes."
"And hands that have clearly never done manual labor before this week?"
We all look at my hands. They're soft. Suspiciously soft for someone who supposedly works with their hands.
"I moisturize," I say weakly.
"Extensively, apparently," Delia notes.
"Is good skincare a crime?" I ask.
"It is when you claim to be a drifter mechanic," she counters.
"Maybe I'm a drifter mechanic with excellent self-care habits," I suggest.
"Nobody's buying that," June says.
"I am," Wren announces. "I'm buying it. All of it. The moisturizing, the mysterious past, the convenient timing. Because, you know what? He shows up. He helps without being asked. He's trying to learn about cars even though he's terrible at it?—"
"So terrible," Finn confirms.
"And he kisses me like he means it," Wren finishes.
Everyone leans forward at once.
