Still holding me from behind, he tilted my head to the side and kissed me, turning me inside out in two seconds flat.

“You two are still wearing that newlywed glow, I see. Thank heavens!”

Loretta Lawson, our next-door neighbor, approached along with Kona Powers, the school librarian I’d always adored.

“Hello,” I said as Holden stepped up beside me. “I’m so happy you both could make it.”

“Hi, ladies,” Holden said. “I’m planning to wear that newlywed glow for another decade or so. Hope that’s okay.”

Loretta let out an “aww” and tapped her chest as if he’d gotten to her heart. He’d definitely gotten to mine.

“Kona, we need to do lunch while you’re on summer vacation,” I said as she hugged me.

“Absolutely, my dear. You’re the one with the busy schedule. How’s the brewery going?” Kona asked. The librarian was short and pretty, her dark hair pulled back with a beautiful comb that had coral and turquoise stones inset, to match her coral-colored dress.

“Yes,” Loretta piped up. “We’re all dying for updates on the Rusty Anchor. I heard you’ll be adding a beer garden patio?”

“That’s the plan,” Holden said. “The brainchild of my wife.”

“It’s fantastic that you two are working together,” Kona said. “The hotel development must have been rewarding, but to work with your husband on a brand-new business”—she inhaled, her shoulders lifting in enthusiasm—“it’s romantic. I hope the switch is fulfilling for you, Chloe.”

“I’m loving it,” I said, and I meant every word. Just tonight, I’d decided the beer patio would have strings of lights for summer evenings, inspired by the scene in front of me.

Kemp joined us then, his dance with Anna having ended, and he threw his arm around me.

“Ms. What’s-Her-Name from the hotel did us a solid when she set Chloe free,” Kemp said.

“Hey, let’s not give the dictator too much credit,” Holden said. “I like to think Chloe would’ve come to her senses and joined us eventually anyway.”

I laughed. “I like to think I would too, but she forced me to think about what I really wanted for my life.”

“Me,” Holden said, overflowing with cockiness.

“You,” I acknowledged. “And the brewery.”

“And me,” Kemp said from my other side, daring Holden to react. It worked, as Holden playfully shoved him away. “Hey, I come with the brewery,” Kemp insisted.

“I deal with these two all day long,” I said to Kona and Loretta with a teasing eye roll.

“You got it rough, honey,” Loretta said.

“Tell me about it.” I laughed.