Page 46 of Mechanic’s Christmas Match

“We need help,” Theo yelled when they got to the swings.

“Here we come,” Rory called back to him, jogging over to sweep Leo up and put him in a baby swing.

Theo climbed into the regular one beside it and started pumping his little legs.

“Push me, Aunt Ana,” he called to her excitedly as she approached.

“Of course,” she told him as she moved behind him, first pulling him close as she backed up, and then letting him go.

Theo squealed with delight, and Leo echoed him with a merry crowing of his own as he kicked his little feet.

Ana and Rory both stepped back at the same time to watch them.

Normally, she saw Theo as tiny, but with little Leo beside him, her boy looked so much older, and so capable. His swing-pumping movements were smooth and practiced and he held onto the chains effortlessly.

Leo’s face was lit up with joy, his cheeks blooming a rosy pink in the breeze as he looked over at his big friend.

“It’s nice having a nephew,” Rory said. “I miss living with him.”

“How often do you get over to Evangeline’s?” Ana asked.

“Not as often as I mean to,” he admitted.

“You should make it a priority,” she said, her eyes returning to her own nephew.

“I will,” Rory said thoughtfully.

They were quiet for a moment, watching the boys. There was something so easy about spending time with Rory. Ana didn’t feel a need to fill their silences.

But there was a question she was overdue in asking. A question that might help her remember that they were just friends.

“How was your date?” she asked quietly.

Rory stiffened and then turned to look at her. His eyes seemed to be an icier blue than usual, but of course Ana was just being silly.

She forced a smile onto her face and looked up at him, willing herself to stay calm.

If I’m his friend, then I want the best for him, she told herself inwardly. I want him to find happiness with a good woman.

“Good,” he said at last, his eyes moving to the chestnut tree in the corner of the park. “It was good.”

Ana’s heart was breaking, but she couldn’t show it.

“That’s great,” she said with an enthusiasm she didn’t feel. “You need to ask her out again.”

Rory shrugged.

“Really,” she told him, giving him the best advice she could. “I know men are supposed to wait a certain number of days or something before they reach out. But women hate that—we really do. If you had a nice time, you should call her today. Ask her to take you to the school library fundraiser. I’ll be volunteering there on coat check. They’re doing a costume contest and I know she’d love to do a couples’ costume.”

“Really?” Rory asked, turning to her. “You think I should ask her out again? Take her to a fundraiser and wear a couples’ costume with her?”

There was an edge to his voice that took Ana by surprise, almost like he was accusing her of something.

She was tempted to scream no, to wrap her arms around him and beg him never to take out another girl again.

But she merely nodded, casting her own eyes to the chestnut tree now. The bare branches turned and twisted for the sky, and she found nothing there but a sense of desolation.

“I can help you guys out with the costumes,” she heard herself offer. “If you want.”