Page 60 of Falling for Keeps

“Hey, this room is almost ready,” a man calls, his tread on the stairs heavy like he’s wearing boots.

What the heck? I mouth to my sister.

She ignores me.

A man pokes his head through the doorway, his eyes snagging on me in surprise. He’s in a navy Henley and paint-speckled pants. “Oh. Hi.”

“Hi,” I say.

The beat of quiet is so heavy, I could swipe my finger through it like icing on a cinnamon roll.

“This is my sister, Emma.” Rosie looks at me. “Dean Alden is staying here.”

He sends me a nod. “I’ll get started, Rosie.” He hooks a thumb over his shoulder and heads back the way he came.

My head whips to her so fast. “What’s that about?” I whisper.

“He’s helping with the renovations.” She pushes to her feet. “Update me about your date later, please. I’ll be crossing my fingers Seth’s turned into a gentleman.”

I don’t push the fact that she wouldn’t accept my help, but she’s willing to let the eligible guy next door assist who isn’t even family. If she wanted to talk about it, she wouldn’t have changed the subject so fast.

“Be careful,” I say. I can’t help but worry. Mom’s gone, so someone needs to.

She rolls her eyes. “See you Sunday.”

I let myself out and walk down the street to the Maple Bar and Grill. Rosie’s a grown adult, so it’s not really my place to tell her what to do or pry for information she’s not ready to share. It’s impossible not to care, though. With Dad on his current psycho girlfriend-bender, I feel like the most adulty adult in the family. Maybe that isn’t fair. Dad’s welcome to whatever relationship he wants to put himself through. But the rest of us still need parents.

I’m the first to arrive, so I’m seated in a booth, sliding onto worn brown vinyl with a lamp hanging directly over the table. Carson’s lights were on when I passed Price Dental, but I didn’t see anyone else in there, so he must be working late.

When Seth still hasn’t arrived five minutes later, I pull out my phone and text Carson.

Emma

How did your first day go? I hope every single one of those chairs was sat in.

Carson

Texting on your date, Emma? He must be terribly boring.

Emma

Date hasn’t started yet.

Carson

And you’re thinking about me? I’m honored.

Emma

Never mind, don’t tell me how your first day was. I’m no longer interested.

Carson

Your chairs were greatly admired by the person who sat in one.

Emma

One! Was it slow?