Maybe it wasn’t about her.
Maybe it was just in her head.Maybeher own mixed-up, tangled-up feelings were making her sensitive.
But the minute she stepped through the door and the bell overhead jingled, a hush fell over the diner like someone had hit the pause button on a jukebox.
Every single eye in the place turned toward her—MissMyrnawith her bright pink lipstick holding a church bulletin she’d been about to pin on the bulletin board,JuniorHarlanwith his suspenders and his suspicious glare, even littleMayleeParsons, who stopped coloring her placemat and whispered something to her mama.
Okay.Maybeit was about her this time.
The girls were already gathered at their usual table in the back corner—heads together like conspirators, mugs full of steaming coffee, and matching smirks that had trouble written all over ‘em.ItmadeRosewish she’d just stayed at her own coffee shop and nursed a mug of drip brew in peace.Maybeshe should start offering something more substantial than cookies and muffins over there.
“Well, well,well,”Maggiedrawled, tilting her mug in a mock salute.“Ifit ain’t our very own belle of the ball.”
Rose sighed and slid into the empty seat besideDani, her shoulder brushing against the familiar vinyl booth.“I’mnot in the mood.”
“Oh, sweetie,”Tashasaid, eyes twinkling.“Youbrought this on yourself when you went toTheSilverCatfishwearin’ your hair-down blouse.”
“Mywhat?”
“You know the one,”Tashasaid, gesturing vaguely.“Thatnavy button-up.Theone that makes your hair look all glossy and movie-star perfect.Thatauburn against navy?Mercy, it’s downrightcriminal.”
Rose blinked.“Y’allare exhausting.”
“By six this morning, half ofPickwickBendhad already heard about your little dinner date,”Daniadded with a giggle.“Byseven, the other half had an opinion about it.”
Rose gave her a withering look just asAlliecame bustling over with a bunch of menus in hand.Herapron was slightly askew, and she had a pencil tucked behind each ear like she meant business.
“Wellgoodmornin’,Rose,”Alliesaid with a grin.“Tellme about the new man in your life.”
That earned a chorus of laughter from the table and more than a few amused glances from neighboring booths.Mrs.EdnaHarperin the corner even leaned in, not bothering to hide her interest.
Allie winked.“Guessyou’re gettin’ the third degree this morning, huh?”
Rose took a menu and nodded grimly.“AnFBIinterrogation would be a step up, honestly.”
“Come on now,”Tashasaid.“Youcouldn’t havereallythought you’d go on a date inPickwickBendand nobody’d find out.Especiallynot atTheSilverCatfish.Thatplace has more windows than theBaptistchurch.”
Rose sighed and handed her menu back.“Idon’t even know why you bring menus to us,Allie.Weorder the same thing every time.”
Allie collected them with a chuckle as everyone else held theirs up like white flags.“Habit,Iguess.Younever know when somebody might surprise me.”
“You’re tone’s saying you’re not talking about breakfast orders,”Rosemuttered.
“You look happy,”Ginnyadded, her voice softer than the others.“WordisDeclanopened the truck door for you.”
“That’s… not scandalous.”
“It is around here,”Maggiesaid with a smirk.“Lastman who opened a car door was my cousin’s boyfriend—and he was trying to beg forgiveness for being a jerk.”
Rose rolled her eyes.“Hewas just being polite.Itwasjustdinner.”
“Dinner that included hand brushing, parking lot lingering, and a confirmed second date,”Danisaid, reading off her phone like it was the morning news.“StraightfromAprilSue, who was working the hostess stand.”
Rose’s mouth dropped.“Shepostedthat?”
“Group text,”Danicorrected.“Butyou know how that spreads.”
Rose groaned and buried her face in her hands.“Lord, just kill me.”
