Page 27 of Mistletoe, Mayhem & Mr. Grump
The next slide shows me at the garage. "Day two. Acquires employment despite having no observable mechanical skills."
"I'm learning," I defend myself.
"You put windshield fluid in the oil tank yesterday," Finn says helpfully.
"They're both liquids," I argue.
"That's not how cars work," Teddy says gently.
"I'm discovering that," I admit.
The presentation continues. Slides of me walking around town, which is creepy, me eating at Giuseppe's, which is invasive and only just happened, and me holding Wren's hand.
"This is stalking," I point out.
"This is due diligence," Delia corrects. "Now, let's discuss your relationship timeline."
"Let's not," I suggest.
"According to my sources," she continues, ignoring me, "you've been dating for approximately two hours."
"That's not—" Wren starts.
"Iris texted me from the garage. Then Giuseppe called from the restaurant. The timeline is very clear," Delia states.
"We've been dating since the tree lighting," Wren insists.
"Really? Then why did Mrs. Connor have to introduce you two days ago?" Delia challenges.
"We were keeping it private," Wren tries.
"In Snowfall Creek?" June laughs. "Privacy doesn't exist here. Mrs. Chang knows what everyone had for breakfast."
"Holden had coffee," Mrs. Chang confirms from her corner.
"How do you—" I start.
"Not important," she waves me off.
"I think it's very important that you know what I had for breakfast," I argue.
"The point is," Delia interrupts, "this relationship seems remarkably convenient. Just as Wren needs someone respectable for the gala."
"Remarkably convenient things happen," Wren says weakly.
"Name one," Delia challenges.
"The invention of sliced bread?" Wren offers.
"That took years of development," Mr. Jackson says. "I looked it up. Very inconvenient actually. The first bread-slicing machine was considered too dangerous."
"Why do you know that?" I ask.
"Trivia night preparation," he says proudly. "We're playing the Millbrook team next week."
"Focus, people," Delia commands. "Mr. Clark, what do you know about The Jolly Trunk's financial situation?"
"It's not great," I say honestly.
