Page 103 of Meadowsweet and Marigold

The presumption of it—the casual way he spoke about her private life as if he had any right to public commentary—made her jaw clench with irritation. But before she could formulate a response, Gus surprised her by agreeing.

"He's right," Gus said loudly enough for the crowd to hear, and Marigold felt her mood plummet with disappointment and hurt. After everything they'd shared today, after the intimacy and teamwork and obvious connection, was he really going to dismiss their relationship so casually?

But then he continued, his voice gaining strength and conviction with each word.

"We're not official yet. But I have every intention of fighting for her love, so everyone better keep an eye on us."

The bold declaration sent another wave of excited chatter through the crowd, and Marigold felt her cheeks flame red with a mixture of embarrassment and thrilled pleasure. The public nature of his statement, the way he claimed his intentions soopenly and confidently, made her heart race with something that felt suspiciously like joy.

"Gus," she whispered, not sure whether to be mortified or delighted by his theatrical romanticism.

"Too much?" he asked quietly, though his grin suggested he was perfectly satisfied with the reaction he'd provoked.

"Just right," she admitted, unable to suppress her own smile despite the attention they were drawing from half the town.

Gus grabbed her hand with triumphant satisfaction, their fingers intertwining naturally as he addressed the crowd one final time. "Now if you'll excuse us, we need to go home and celebrate our victory properly!"

The crowd cheered and whistled as they gathered their belongings and began making their way toward Gus's truck, the golden trophy clutched in Marigold's free hand like a symbol of something much larger than a baking competition.

As they walked away from the town square, Marigold felt the satisfaction of a day perfectly spent—work shared with someone she cared about, community celebration, unexpected victory, and public declarations that felt like promises of things to come. Whatever complications might lie ahead, whatever challenges her multiple relationships might create, today had been unequivocally wonderful.

"So," Gus said as they reached his truck, "ready for that proper celebration?"

"More than ready," she replied, meaning it with every fiber of her being.