Page 8 of Stuck with the Hero Next Door

She polished off a second slice before her steak even arrived, her scarf folded neatly on the booth beside her. She seemed lighter now. Not carefree, exactly, but like she'd put her heavy bag of worries down for a minute and forgotten where she left it.

When Belle came back with our plates—steak seared to perfection, mac and cheese bubbling under a layer of toasted breadcrumbs—Cassie let out a sigh that could've been mistaken for gratitude or mild infatuation.

"This," she said, spearing a green bean with theatrical reverence, "might be the highlight of my week."

"And it's only Thursday," I pointed out.

She laughed, low and surprised. "True. Though I don't know how tomorrow will top this."

"Oh, I think we can find something." I leaned back, careful not to jostle the table. "There's always something happening in Everwood. You just have to know where to look."

"Is that a warning or a promise?"

"Little bit of both."

"I'll be back on the road soon—with any luck—but if I'm looking for trouble once I get to Miller's Pass, I'll be sure to come back for a visit."

"That's where you're heading? Miller's Pass?"

"That was the plan." She hesitated. "Long story, but not worth boring you with."

My curiosity level rose about ten points, but I let it pass.

We ate with a casual quiet, interrupted only by the band, the occasional comment about the mac and cheese ("probably illegal in three states"), or the weird mural above the kitchen pass-through that featured a heroic chicken in a fireman's hat.

"You weren't kidding about Will's décor being...eclectic," Cassie said, squinting at the chicken. "I feel like it's judging me for not ordering poultry."

"That's Cluck Norris. He's the town mascot. Long story."

"Oh, now I have to hear it."

"Another time. It's a tale of courage, betrayal, and a surprise ending involving a parade float."

Cassie laughed again—an easy, round sound that made something shift in my chest.

Outside, the air had cooled further. We stepped out into the dark, the gravel crunching beneath our boots. I walked Cassie back to the truck in silence, letting the night wrap around us.

When I opened the passenger door, she paused before climbing in.

"Thanks," she said quietly.

"For dinner?"

"For all of it. For not making it weird. It's been a long day."

I met her gaze, steady and calm. "You're welcome. Breathing's kind of a specialty of ours."

She climbed in, and I closed the door gently before walking around to my side.

As we drove back through Everwood's sleepy streets, porch lights glowing warm against the night and wind whispering through the trees, I let myself imagine—for just a second—what it might be like if she stayed longer.

Not forever. Just long enough to finish a second cornbread. Maybe a third.

Cassie looked out the window, her hair catching the streetlight like copper spun from dusk.

She didn't know it yet, but a girl like her can grow on a guy like me.

Chapter 3