Laughing, she replied.“Didn’texpect you to sit through seven innings and a heat index of ninety-eight.”
“I’d sit through a double-header if it meant seeing that look on your face again.”
Rose flushed.
Declan looked away as someone called his name from the parking lot.Heturned back to her for a moment.
“Don’t forgetIwant to see you again soon.”Hewinked before turning to walk toward the parking lot where friends waited for him leaving her stomach churning.
Acen stepped into the void left byDeclanand said, “Lookslike charming and handsome is still interested in you.”
“Don’t get cute.”
“Sorry.”Hemuttered.
She hesitated, then stepped a little closer.“YouhandledBriana.”
“She doesn’t belong in this chapter.”
“And what chapter is this?”
He smiled.“Theone where you andItry again.Slowerthis time.Smarter.I’mnot interested in anyone else.”
Rose studied him, her heart thudding.
“Take all the time you need,Rose.I’mnot going to run off again.Andif you need to do some exploring first,” he looked away for a moment and she could see his throat move like he was swallowing something bitter, “you do that too.”
CHAPTERNINETEEN
The night had settled thick and heavy overPickwickBend, the kind ofJuneair that clung like a second skin.Rosesat on the porch swing with a glass of sweet tea sweating in her hand, bare feet propped on the railing.Thecicadas were carrying on like they had gossip of their own.They’dbeen relentless this summer.Andthe faint glimmer of the lake showed between the pines down the hill.Alightning bug flickered past, a soft glow in the dark, and for just a second she thought about being ten years old again, barefoot in the grass catching fireflies withRileyuntil their mama hollered them in.
Now she was thirty-eight, and fireflies didn’t answer the questions in her chest.
The screen door creaked open.Rileystepped out, a glass of tea in his hand, his ball cap pushed back like he’d given up on taming his hair.He’dcome home with her after the big win to spend time with her and the team and ended up staying the night.
“Couldn’t sleep?”she asked.
“Couldn’t hear myself think with you pacing the kitchen half the night.Whenit got quietIhad to come investigate,” he said, settling into the rocking chair beside her.“Figuredif you’re keeping the whole house awake, might as well see what’s got your wheels turning.”
Rose shot him a look.“Nosymuch?”
“Twin perk,” he said with a lazy grin, rocking back.“Ican smell your trouble from a mile off.So… which flavor of headache tonight?Briana,Acen, or new boyDeclan?”
Rose groaned and sank lower into the swing.“Allof the above.”
“That bad, huh?”
She swirled the ice in her glass, watching it melt.“Brianashowed up at practice and then at the game like she owned the place.Smiledthat poison smile atAcenand tried to undo the last twenty years in five minutes.Thenshe turned the charm onDeclan.Whata witch.”
Riley snorted.“Yep.Heardall about it at the office.Nothinglike a real estate agency for getting the best gossip.Peoplein and out all day long.”Hestretched.“SoundslikeBriana.Nevercould resist stirring a pot she had no business touching.”
“She still looks… perfect,”Roseadmitted begrudgingly.“Nota wrinkle, not a hair out of place.AndAcen—”Shebroke off, shaking her head.“Acendidn’t flinch.Just… stood there.Likeshe was a memory he’d already put in a box.”
“And you?”Rileyasked softly.
Rose chewed her bottom lip.“Idon’t know.IthoughtI’dbe furious.Maybea little smug if she looked worse for wear.ButallIfelt was… tired.LikeI’vebeen carrying the weight of her betrayal around, andIfinally set it down.OnlynowIdon’t know what to do with empty hands.”
Riley tipped his glass toward her.“That’ssomething,Rosie.Meansyou’re moving on, even if you don’t know which direction yet.”
