AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Everyonedispersed, tromping up the stairs to check out their rooms, butRosaliehung back, wanting a chance to catch up withAutumn.
“Howare you doing?” she asked, leaning against the front desk asAutumnslotted papers into a neat pile of folders. “Lasttime we talked, you had some heavy stuff going on.”
Autumnsmiled warmly at her. “You’reso sweet to ask.I’mdoing better,Ithink.Ihaven’t picked door number one—telling him howIfeel—or door number two—trying to move on.ButIthinkI’veaccepted that this is just the way things need to be right now.Wetalk a lot, and he’s still dealing with some family stuff.Buthe’s opening up to me, andI’mjust trying to be a good friend, which is whatIthink he needs most right now.”
Rosalienodded. “Iknow we don’t know each other very well, but you strike me as someone who is highly capable of being a good friend.”
Autumnducked her head and smiled, clearly pleased with the compliment. “So…any plans while you’re in town?” she asked, a hint of something in her voice. “Maybeto see a certain police chief?”
Rosalielaughed. “Ah.Soyoudidknow about me and your um…andJack.”
Autumntilted her head and shrugged. “Notmuch gets past me.AndIran into him when he was on his way out early in the morning after the storm.I’mnotAlbertEinstein, butIcan put two and two together pretty easily.”
“Didhe say anything?”
“Hedidn’t kiss and tell, if that’s what you’re asking,” saidAutumnwith a grin. “Buthe’s been in averygood mood for the past couple of days, and ifIwas a betting woman,I’dput money on the fact that his mood has everything to do with you being in town.Whichmeans youaregoing to see each other again.”
Rosaliedidn’t have a name for the emotion that washed over her, leaving her breathless and her skin tingling.Itwas anticipation laced with hope, weighed down with a drop or two of fear.
“We’vebeen texting,” she admitted. “Andyeah, we’re planning to see each other.Idon’t…Imean,Ican’t…”
Autumnlaid a hand onRosalie’sarm, the warmth of her touch seeping intoRosalie’sbones. “Justtake it one moment at a time.It’slike that cheesy saying: yesterday’s history, and tomorrow’s a mystery, which makes today a gift; that’s why it’s called the present.Justhave fun and see where it goes.”
Rosalienodded, feeling a little bit better. “I’mgoing to go freshen up before we head out to the falls.”Sheglanced down at the room key in her hand, noting that it was a different room than the one she’d been in last time.
Asshe mounted the stairs, she fished her phone out of her pocket.
Rosalie:
I’mhere!Arewe still meeting up later tonight?
Jack’sreply came almost instantly, as though he’d been waiting for her text.
Jack:
Absolutely.Nine?I’doffer to take you out to dinner, butIdon’t get off work until seven, which really means eight, most likely.
Rosalie:
Won’tyou be hungry?
Jack:
Wecan order food.I’mnot depriving myself of time with you to eat.
Rosaliestumbled on the top step, almost dropping her phone as her heart trampolined in her chest.
Rosalie:
That’sone of my favorite things that anyone has ever said to me.
Rosalie:
Picka color.
Jack:
Forwhat?
