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He’d taken a bite just as I asked the question. He held up a finger and exaggerated the chewing motions as if trying to hurry up, making me laugh again. It already felt so easy to be around him.

“Each entry needs to incorporate something related to Pride or the LGBTQ+ community.” Andre grabbed his tablet and started swiping. “Remember last year’s winning entry? The huge handwoven tapestry featuring interwoven maple leaves transforming into all the colors of the Progress Pride flag?”

“Yes! That was amazing.” The image of that gorgeous piece flashed in my mind as Andre held up his screen, displaying a picture. “Is that from The Wild Palette?”

“Good eye. The artist had a small show after the win, and that was the centerpiece. It’s still there.” Andre closed his tablet and put it aside. “Olivia arranged to have it as an ongoing display. The artist will be one of the judges this year too.”

“Great. I can rely on them for guidance.”

“You’ll do fine. I…”

Andre’s phone buzzed, interrupting our conversation. His expression grew concerned as he read the message. “We’ve got a situation at the park. The vendor tent setup isn’t going as fast as planned, and we’re short on volunteers.”

“I can help,” I offered immediately. “And I bet some kids from camp might be willing to pitch in. Let me text Liam.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I want to.” I pulled out my phone. “What time do you need people?”

“Now?” Andre sounded apologetic as he winced. “We need everything set up before tomorrow’s vendor check-in.”

“Consider it handled.” I hit the microphone button on the messaging app and dictated a text explaining the situation.

My phone buzzed with Liam’s response, and I played it out loud. “We’re wrapping up the session. I’ll bring whoever I can, and we’ll be in the park in a half hour or so.”

“Thank you. You’re helping so much today.”

“I’m glad I can.”

Before I could stop myself, I reached across the desk, grabbed his hand, and squeezed it—partly to show support but mostly because I ached to touch him. Electric sparks shot up my arm and straight to my heart, making it speed up. When he smiled broadly, my whole body hummed with an intensity that threatened to short-circuit my brain.

“Uhm, we should… Um… I need to get to the park. I don’t—” Andre sounded as discombobulated as I felt.

“Yup.” I snapped back to the task at hand but still squeezed one last time before letting go. “Let’s get going.”

TWELVE

ANDRE

The walk from the library to Maplewood City Park gave me a moment to process the last hour. Ethan reading to the children had revealed yet another side of him. He’d handled the situation beautifully. His genuine smiles and the way he’d engaged the kids made my heart swell. Watching him with the children, no one would’ve known the anxiety that moment held for him.

And he’d brought me scones!

That charged moment when he’d reached for my hand still lingered, so natural even as it set off fireworks under my skin. I was falling for him, hard and fast.

But there was a festival to run, and I needed to focus. I tried to direct my thoughts to tent layouts and vendor assignments. My mind had its own agenda, flashing back to the warmth in Ethan’s blue eyes when our gazes had met across my desk.

“Andre?”

“Sorry. Thinking about the vendor layout.” I hoped that explanation would cover my distraction. “What were you saying?”

“No worries,” Ethan said as we crossed Maple Street. “I asked who's the third judge for the craft competition?”

I welcomed the distraction from my racing thoughts. “Olivia will be, along with you and Trevor Hals, who created that winning tapestry.”

“I’m glad to have expert help.” Ethan chuckled. I appreciated he was trying to lighten my mood.

“Olivia’s excited to see who might top Trevor’s tapestry.”