I wince. Shit. I didn’t even think of that.
“Thanks.” I move to get up.
“The first time is always special,” he says quietly, eyes on the table. “Even if things don’t go right and you bump heads, trip, or walk into a wall, it’s still special. I’ve seen the way you are with each other; you won’t disappoint her. Just enjoy the moment for what it is—you showing each other how you feel. She’ll do the same. And… treasure it.”
That’s surprisingly heartfelt for a guy who doesn’t date. “You sound like you’re talking from experience.”
He lifts his gaze from the table. “Good luck with Rose. Not that you’ll need it, but I’m relieved I don’t have to face my brother with the intimate details of your sex life.”
His tone is light, but the warning to back off this particular subject is as subtle as a semi-truck ramming into me.
“Got the message loud and clear. Thanks again.”
“I’d say anytime, but that feels a little too much like tempting fate,” he says dryly, a glimmer of amusement in his gaze.
Chuckling, I get to my feet to finish my shift in the kitchen. I feel a little better about Rose, but whether this newfound confidence translates to real life when I speak to her later remains to be seen.
Noah clears his throat.
I look at him.
He glances around, as if to confirm Lina isn’t close by. “Sam is staying in Lora’s apartment, right?”
Confused about where this is going, I nod. “Yeah.”
He rubs a hand over his clean-shaven jaw. “Know how long for?”
I shrug. “Not sure. I can ask Rose if?—”
“No,” he blurts out. “Just curious.”
“About?”
He fiddles with his menu and doesn’t respond.
Head cocked, I study him a little longer. “Curious whether he’s staying there temporarily or if he’ll still be there when Lora moves home from grad school?”
She graduates this summer, and while I haven’t heard from Lina or Nico about when she’s coming home, at least one of them would want to go to Arizona to help her pack up her stuff and join her on the long drive back to Iowa.
Noah has always been laser-focused on being the fire chief and on all his responsibilities. Maybe I’m reading too much into this, but it sure seems like he’s suddenly acting territorial about her apartment.
He sets his menu down when he notices me looking at his hands. “It’s nothing.”
I start asking him about Lora when the bell over the door chimes, and a large, dark-haired man steps in carrying a large duffel. He spots Noah and beams. “Hey, man!”
“Caleb! Good to see you.” Noah pushes himself to his feet to greet his friend.
I walk back to the kitchen to finish my shift before I clean up and Nico takes over. As I pass Nico’s open office, I slow when I see him sitting in his chair, looking around with a wide smile, as if he still can’t believe it’s his. Nico gives so much to this town and has done so much for me. Seeing him that happy is the best feeling there is. He deserves all the happiness he gets.
Dinner was awkward.
I couldn’t help but notice everyone glancing at me. Even Murph was more talkative than me, which is… something. But I needed to prepare. I needed to conserve all my brainpower forthis.
Taking a deep breath, I release it in a quiet exhale as I lift my shaking hand and knock on Rose’s bedroom door.
A mattress squeaks, bringing to mind thoughts I need not be having now. The soft tread of footsteps moves toward me, and the door swings open.
Rose gives me a surprised smile. “Hey, Win.”
