Owen frowned. “I thought people from Hollywood were rude.”
Several hands swatted him.
Madame Paulette bumped Owen with one hip, sending him stumbling forward a step. “He might be nearby.”
“I’m sure he’s aware of the stereotypes.” Owen crossed his arms, accidentally jabbing Linc in the back with his umbrella. Linc glared down at him.
Cade sighed. “Mr. Lawson is aware of too many things already, trust me.”Your town here definitely knows how to put on a show.Trent’s laugh had carried more disdain than amusement.I didn’t realize I was walking onto the set of a bad sitcom.
“Next order of business.” Cade planted his hands on his hips and let his gaze drift over the room. “Mr. Lawson came several days early—I didn’t even know he’d show up when he did. So how did this happen?”
The entire crowd took a step back and pointed to Trish.
She offered a sheepish grin as she reached up to adjust her top hat. “I heard him introduce himself at the café when he came in for brunch. I might have Googled him, and, uh, spread the word.”
The chaos escalated again as everyone started either accusing or defending Trish.
Cade clapped his hands together before a brawl broke out. “Look, I think you guys definitely made an impression.” Not the one he’d been hoping for, but it was too late now. “We should all head home, before Sheriff Rubart reminds us of the fire code.”
“We’ve exceeded the legal limit by ten.” Madame Paulette jerked her thumb toward the sign posted on the wall.
Great. Sheriff Rubart on his back was the last thing Cade needed.
“Okay, everyone out.” Cade pointed to the door. He had zero energy left to put into this. All that begging, and his one chance at getting the movie company interested in a post-hurricane Magnolia Bay had been blown by fifty people seeking their fifteen minutes of fame.
The mob filed past him out the front doors. Didn’t they realize he was doing all of this for them? For the town? How was he supposed to meet all their requests without the money to do so? And how was he supposed to raise said money if they were getting in the way of his efforts?
Elisa shot him sympathetic eyes as she made her way past, her fingers laced through Noah’s. The sight sent a fresh pang through Cade’s stomach. He still hadn’t made things right with Rosalyn, and now he had this mistake to deal with—and to explain to his father.
“Sorry, sugar,” Elisa said with a wince. “Pie on the house, whenever you want to swing by the Blossom.”
Noah palmed Cade’s shoulder with his free hand. “It’ll all work out. Don’t give up yet.”
Easy for him to say. Noah had gone on a treasure hunt last spring organized by his recently deceased grandfather and had saved the inn he worked so hard for. Cade worked hard for the entire town, and all he got in return was what—anxiety attacks? Humiliation?
He looked at Madame Paulette, who was now the only other person left inside the studio.
She regarded him with a wary expression. “You think we messed up, huh?”
“I don’t know. I tried to talk with Mr. Lawson, but he wanted to go back to Chug a Mug and finish his latte in peace.” Cade ran his hands down his cheeks. “Maybe there’s still a way to help Trent see Magnolia Bay isn’t crazy and is worthy of further consideration.”
Though with all that drama, at least the man probably hadn’t noticed the potholes and half-finished repairs.
“Oh, we’re crazy, honey.” Madame laughed. “Anyone wanting to shoot a movie here better learn that quick.” Her bracelets jingled as she grabbed a push-broom out of the storage closet. “Now, off you go. I can’t have my dancers plié-ing on all this dirt y’all brought in.” She started sweeping before Cade could even make it to the porch.
He coughed against the cloud Madame swept his way and quickly shut the door behind him. Then he rubbed his eyes. For a moment, he was a child again. Playing hide-and-seek with his grandmother, who finally—gently—had to explain that just because he closed his eyes didn’t mean people couldn’t see him.
Maybe this time, if he stood there and kept his eyes shut, he could disappear. Then Magnolia Days would be over, the campaign would be over, Rosalyn would go wherever she was booked next, and his life would be?—
His phone buzzed with a text. He looked down.
Rosalyn.
Rosalyn: Come to Chug a Mug, quick.
* * *
All Rosalyn thought since the moment she saw Cade standing on the sidewalk in front of Chug a Mug, hands shoved helplessly in his pockets as he watched the entire town make fools of themselves, was how much she wished she could give him a hug. The stress lines on his forehead had bothered her, and she’d felt responsible for at least two of them.
