Okay,maybe just a little.
The next day,I opened the swinging glass door at Merritt’s, following Rose inside. I still felt halfway in the clouds.
Marissa waved her hand so we could find her, even though Merritt’s was nearly empty.
Rose plopped onto the red bench next to Marissa. “Faith is officially almost a stepmom.”
Marissa leaned back in surprise.
“Oh my gosh, Rose!” I glared at my friend. Sometimes the things that came flying out of that woman’s mouth made me cringe. “First off, hi, Marissa, how is married life? Blissful and wonderful?” Then I glared at Rose. “And no, I am not almost anything to anyone, especially something as significant as a mother. I may have cuddled a bit with Adam last night, but that’s it.”
Rose looked at the ceiling. “Oh crap! Mar, sorry if I hurt your feelings. I didn’t mean anything by the kid thing.”
Marissa shrugged it off. She used to flinch anytime anyone mentioned anything to do with children, but she seemed to be stepping into her own space a bit more. I wondered what her and Scott’s future would bring.
Would they adopt? Travel around the world like some exotic couple? Marissa shook her head. “I can see a lot has been going on, and we need to get together more often.”
I don’t think we had gotten together since the ordeal when Adam volunteered to help. “True.”
Marissa grinned. “So…cuddle buddies, eh? What ever happened to him being out of your league and disgustingly extroverted?”
“Oh, those are still true.” I scrunched my nose.
“So,” Marissa leaned close, “how was it?” Her eyebrows raised at me.
“The cuddling?” I sighed as I melted onto the bench. “Divine.” I giggled.
Rose rolled her eyes. “So how’s Scott?”
Marissa pivoted to face her. “Oh, he’s good, happily running spreadsheets as we speak. He has an idea about a community center venue or something. When I asked what he meant, he informed me he needed to work out the numbers before he was ready to talk about it.” She smiled. “James is talking him through logistics and planning on being an investor, I think.”
Thinking of James, I smiled. He was a groomsman with me at Marissa and Scott’s wedding. He was sweet, a bit eccentric, but sweet.
Rose grimaced. “Not the twin?”
Marissa raised a brow. “Michael doesn’t have the cash to be an investor. Although yes.” She looked at Rose. “Michael might add sweat equity.” She spun her cup. “Why…are you hoping to bump into him?” She raised her right eyebrow.
Rose snorted. “More like I wanted to know so I could avoid him.”
Michael was the groomsman with Rose at the wedding, and I had been worried he might end up with slashed tires by the end.
“How’re things with Blake?”
I wasn’t really sure what Rose was looking for in a guy. She loved dating, but sometimes it seemed like she wanted to prove that a relationship with her could never last.
She scoffed. “I beat him in bowling. He couldn’t take it. I get plenty of drama from my family, I don’t need it from a guy.”
I looked toward the front door as Dotty stepped into the room. “I have a confession to make.” I raised my hand at her and waved her over. Rose and Marissa turned to see who I was looking at. “This is my friend from work, Dotty. I invited her to join us.”
Dotty walked to the edge of the table. “I really hope I’m not imposing. I’m heading back to Haven Falls tomorrow, and my only other invitation until I left was with Helen Sparks.”
Rose shuddered. “I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. That woman still frequents my nightmares.”
I scooted farther down the bench, making room for Dotty, and patted the seat beside me.
“It’s nice to meet you.” Marissa smiled at her. “I’m Marissa. How did you end up in Hillsdale?”
Marissa used to hate everything about Hillsdale, but it sneakily grows on a person.
