“Pssh,” My sister waves her off. “That’s when I thought you two were just hooking up. And with this guy’s track record . . .” Her gaze cuts to me. “I didn’t want to see two people I love get hurt.”
Rosalie’s shoulders instantly relax. I can tell she’s relieved. It’s been weighing on her mind, and I’m glad she had an opportunity to clear the air with Maeve.
“Oh, no.” Jamie winces. “Clint!”
“How did he take the news?” Bernadette nods.
Rosalie answers honestly. “We decided we’re better off as friends.”
“Oh, good.” Bernadette says. “He’s such a nice guy.”
“Of course he is.” Maeve sits up proudly. “Only the best for my friends.”
“I’ll try not to be offended by that,” I grumble.
“Me too!” Jamie glares at my sister. “Tell me again why you won’t set me up.”
“My matchmaking days are behind me,” my sister states.
Rainer chuckles, and my sister turns to him, taking the baby off his lap so he can enjoy his meal.
“I’m serious,” she says. “I’m done meddling in the love lives of others.”
“Whatever you say,” Rainer tells her.
Rosalie, Bernadette, and Jamie all share a smile.
“I don’t know how you did it, man.” Rainer meets my gaze.
“What?” I walk behind Rosalie’s chair, and stop to massage her shoulders. “Convince Rosalie to be my girlfriend?”
“No.” He pauses with a forkful of food poised at his mouth. “I’m talking about getting out of cooking for every single family gathering. This is fantastic.”
“Seriously, so good,” Bernadette adds.
“If the cowboy thing doesn’t work out for you, you could start a career in catering,” Aiden calls from one table over.
“Or open a restaurant,” Val chimes in. “This town is growing. Wouldn’t hurt to have another option besides the diner.”
“Count me in as a silent investor.” Rainer points his fork in my direction.
“Hey, now!” Ryan shakes his head. “Don’t y’all go recruiting my best ranch hand.”
“Don’t worry, brother.” I slide my gaze down to Rosalie as she leans back to look up at me. “The only thing I’m investing time in right now is a relationship with the town librarian.”
Everyone grins, turning their focus to Rosalie. Her cheeks flame bright with the pink of her blush. She doesn’t love to be the center of attention. I don’t want to embarrass her, but I’m too lovesick to hold back the way I feel about her.
“You haven’t eaten yet, have you?” I ask her. The least I can do is give her a reprieve from everyone’s attention.
“I haven’t.” She places her hand in mine and stands. We walk back into the house, hand-in-hand, and I can envision us doing this for a lifetime.
“Things are going better than I expected,” Rosalie says as we step inside.
“Everyone is happy for us.” I nod, and hand her a plate. Everything is as it should be. I don’t even know how this night could get better.
Rosalie’s phone interrupts my thoughts, ringing from where it’s sitting on the counter. She hands me her plate to retrieve it, frowning at the caller ID.
“Who is it?” Everyone we know is here.
