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I thought of myself as a creative, but Gia was the one who kept encouraging me to be smart with my business decisions. I knew she was right even if the thought of advertising and interviewing someone was daunting.
I checked my phone. A few more minutes and then I could see Hunter. I hoped he’d want to watch a movie and relax on the couch because that was all the energy I had left.
After the cake was cut and I was satisfied with the pictures I’d taken, I said good-bye to Gia and texted Brooke to tell her I was on my way. I expected them to be home, but she immediately called as I turned on the car.
“Hey, I can be there in a few minutes.” I was eager to get home and take off my heels. They were pinching my feet from being in them all day.
“We’re still at the festival. There’s a bonfire near the harbor. Can you meet us there?”
That was the last thing I wanted to do, but Brooke sounded excited I was coming. “Sure.”
It took longer than I hoped to park, then find Brooke and Ben in the crowd. When I finally spotted them, I was prepared to tell her we were headed home. I hadn’t even brought a change of shoes.
“There you are.” Brooke hugged me and then pulled back. “Look who we ran into.”
Nick was talking to Ben, and Brody and Hunter were chasing each other through the crowd. Cammie was sipping something in a to-go cup as she watched the boys’ antics.
“Can you get them to stop? They’re going to hurt someone,” Brooke said to Ben and Nick.
“I got it,” Ben said, holding his hand up to Nick.
“How was your day?” Nick moved closer, his expression filled with concern.
“Long. I’m just glad it’s over.”
Nick’s gaze traveled down my body, heating it as he went. “You must be tired.”
“I’m ready to get out of these shoes.” I held a toe up for him to see the heels.
“Why don’t you sit, and I’ll grab you a warm cider.”
“That sounds amazing.” Before I could look around for an open spot, Nick cupped my elbow as he maneuvered us through the crowd to a bench nearby.
“I’ll be right back,” he said before I could protest.
From my vantage point, I could see Hunter, and I knew Brooke and Ben were keeping an eye on the kids.
I felt like I hadn’t sat down all day. The tension eased from my muscles as I relaxed. While it wasn’t my couch, it wasn’t bad.
A cup appeared in front of me. “Here you go.”
“Thank you,” I said as I took the offered cup. The cider smelled delicious.
Nick sat next to me.
“I’m surprised you came to the festival.” I would have thought he’d want to avoid town events and gossip.
“Brody wanted to go, and I can’t tell him no.”
“You’re such a good guy,” I said, tipping my head back. The moon was almost full as it reflected over the water. It was a beautiful night.
“See, you keep saying that—”
“But you don’t believe it. Even though you got me hot cider and found me a bench to sit.” Then I shivered. The evening was cool, and I was only wearing a dress with a thin cardigan.
“Here,” Nick said as he took off his light jacket and arranged it over my shoulders.
I held it tight around my shoulders with one hand as I sipped the cider. “Thank you.”
