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“It’d be an honor to see you in it.” His grin turns wolfish. “Not sure if I’ll like all the male heads turning your way, but as long as they know you’re mine, I’ll deal with it.”

I bite on my bottom lip to hide my smile. “Not yours yet.”

“Maybe not officially, but you always were here.” He pats his chest. “I’m going to leave now before I try and claim your perfect mouth right here. I’d like to at least buy you dinner first.”

“Confident I’ll kiss you?”

“Stupidly hopeful.” He gives me a nod. “Until tomorrow, sweet Sandy.”

And then he slips on his shoes, grabs his coat, and is out the door without another word. Almost immediately, he takes the warmth with him. I shiver as the loneliness settles around me like a cloak. It makes me realize how much I’ve missed him—how much he filled something inside of me that I desperately needed.

I watch out the window until his taillights disappear. Then, I grab Claudette’s blanket and cover her cage.

“We’re going to see a lot more of him,” I promise to both her and myself. “Neither of us are going anywhere this time.”

For the first time in as long as I can remember, I go to sleep without tears in my eyes.

I fall asleep, smiling, Upton’s handsome face in the forefront of my mind.

6

upton

“Is my big city girl turning into a small-town girl?”

It’s snowing.

Again.

But, this afternoon, it feels kind of romantic. At least that’s the vibe I’m going for. I still can’t believe Sandy Everhart agreed to have dinner with me.

I don’t want to screw this up.

We’ve spent a lifetime making all the wrong choices, and in the end, it did nothing but keep us apart. I’m done being away from this woman.

As soon as I pull up to the cottage, Sandy slips out of the house and hurries over to the car. She pops into the passenger seat and then shivers once the door is closed.

“I was going to be a gentleman and open the door for you,” I say in way of greeting. “I forgot what it was like dating an independent woman.”

She smirks at me and shakes her head. “You snooze, you lose, pal. It’s too cold to wait for the gentleman to do his thing.”

I reach over and give her gloved hand a squeeze. “You look beautiful today.”

Her cheeks burn bright pink. I love the color. I’ve seen it before, when we were much younger, and it feels great to see it again. It makes me realize I’ve been living in a colorless world for far too long.

“Have you ever eaten at Plume & Pearl?” I ask once we’re out of her driveway and on the road.

“Only once,” she says, “and it was takeout for me and Dad.”

I chuckle. “Most people get Chinese for takeout. You and Amos go where the influencers go. Six-course seasonal menus and Sommelier-curated wine pairings. Just a regular Tuesday for the Everharts.”

“Oh, stop,” she says with a giggle. “They have a reasonable takeout menu that’s not as bougie. Excellent steak and lobster.”

Today, Sandy is much more relaxed than she has been in the last couple of days. Her smile isn’t strained and there’s a lightness in her words. I hope I have something to do with that.

When we reach The Tailstream River Landing District, a sense of pride washes over me. The place is all glass, steel, soft coastal neutrals, and branded signage. Uniform hanging baskets filled with gorgeous flowers line the way during the summer, but in the winter time, mounted heaters take their place to keep the guests warm as they shop and eat.

All of the parking here is paid. At the hotel, though, there’s valet parking. When I pull up, the valet man greets me with a nod, already knowing who I am, and takes my keys. I place a hand on the small of Sandy’s back to guide her into the restaurant at the base of the hotel.