“Could I have a cookie?” Olive asked.
“Yeah. They’re for everyone,” Finn said.
Together, they made their way out to the foyer, where parents and children alike were chatting in small groups.
Rosie stopped to talk with several people she knew, but eventually she and Andrew found their way back together at the refreshment table, where she grabbed a glass of lime-infused water and he picked out a lemon sugar cookie.
Rosie wasn’t sure how it happened, but they moved together to the edge of the crowd, to a corner where he leaned down, his gaze intense.
“I miss you, Rosie,” Andrew said softly, his eyes searching her face.
She blinked, a bit taken aback. “How can you miss me? You only saw me a few days ago.”
He took a step closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. I think we need to revisit our terms. I don’t want to wait until Stormhaven is done and I turn in my book to see you again.”
“You’re seeing me now,” she countered, feeling her cheeks warm, hoping everyone else was too busy with snacks to notice their conversation.
He smiled, but there was a hint of longing behind it. “And it only makes me want more.”
Rosie looked away, struggling to control her racing heartbeat. “Nothing has changed. If anything, my life has gotten even more complicated since Pam left.”
Andrew’s brow furrowed, disappointment flickering in his eyes. “I get it. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
She hesitated for a brief second, then went on before she could think better of it. “I will have Olive tomorrow. If you and the kids don’t have anything else planned, we could all go down to the beach. The kids could run around, and we can talk. No stress, no expectations.”
Andrew’s face brightened. “That sounds perfect. Just us, the ocean and fresh air. I’d like that.”
Rosie nodded, feeling a hesitant warmth blossom in her chest despite the chaos around her.
His kids came over to introduce their father to some of the friends they had made preparing for the production. Rosiemade her way toward Emma and Olive, who were chatting with Emma’s friend Josie, there with her two children.
“Mom,” Emma said in an undertone when Josie was showing Olive and her children a large carved statue of a ballerina in a nook of the foyer. “Is something going on with you and Andrew Morgan?”
Rosie flushed. “Why would you say that?”
Emma arched a brow. “Maybe because the two of you are generating enough electricity to power the Wood Briar downtown district for a year.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m a grandmother.”
“And he’s a father. That doesn’t mean either of you is dead.” Emma studied her carefully. “Do you like him?”
Rosie thought of her conflicted feelings for Andrew. She very much suspectedlikewas a mild word for her growing feelings. She was in grave danger of falling for the man. “I do,” she admitted.
“And he obviously likes you. I say go for it. You’re not exactly ancient. You have years worth of life left. Might as well enjoy them while you can.”
“You don’t think it would be strange if I started dating again?”
“I think it would be amazing, especially if you start dating a great guy like Andrew. In case you forgot, he does happen to be my favorite author. Plus, he seems like a very nice person.”
He was. Rosie sighed. “Are you ready to go?”
Emma gave her a look as if she knew perfectly well her mother was avoiding the conversation by changing the subject but she simply nodded. “Yes. It’s past Olive’s bedtime. I’ll grab her.”
Before they could go outside, sirens suddenly split throughthe night as emergency vehicles raced past the community center, lights flashing.
A fire truck passed first, followed by a second ladder truck, along with an ambulance and paramedic vehicle.
“What’s going on?” Rosie asked, going to the window. “Looks like a bad accident.”
