Page 59 of I’ll Find You

Alex

The restaurant is warm and inviting with low-hung lights, and the atmosphere is casual with the hum of conversation all around. It's the kind of place that's more tavern than fine dining. Rose sits beside me, and the conversation turns toward Callie and Denver as they slip into full planning mode for the sunset five-mile race benefiting the animal shelter. They went with the name Sole Mates, and when they told Rose and me, we looked at one another with a knowing glint in our eyes, thinking how it was the perfect race for us. Whenever the shelter comes up, something in her changes. She gets so focused, her eyes brightening as she throws herself into the conversation as though nothing else in the room exists.

“So, we’re locking it in as sunset,” Callie states, scrolling through her phone. “Golden hour shots will be insane for socials.”

“Yeah,” Rose says, nodding her agreement. “Registration will begin between three and four p.m. That gives people time to settle in and grab their bib before the race starts at five p.m.”

Denver leans back in his chair. “And the trail’s good? No one’s going to eat it on the roots for that little part that deviates from the pavement for half a mile?”

Rose smiles. “It’s been cleared. Mostly just a stretch of gravel with a few wooded turns before it joins the road again. It actually looks really nice at dusk. There are just a couple of old cabins along that way. Nothing more.”

Her phone buzzes on the table. She glances at it for just a second before she quickly flips it back over.

“And the beer tent?” I ask, keeping things moving down the checklist we needed to complete before dinner gets here.

“Still happening,” she says. “Local brewery’s donating a few kegs. It’ll be set up near the finish line.”

Denver grins. “Now that’s how you get a turnout.”

“And the lights?” Callie adds.

Rose nods. “We’re lining the clearing with them. Nothing too bright. It’s just enough once the sun starts going down. I want it to feel cozy.”

“A cozy five mile race?” Denver repeats, but his voice echoes a laugh.

Callie taps her screen. “I’ll push another round of posts tomorrow. Countdown, route preview, maybe highlight the shelter dogs?”

“That would be perfect,” Rose says. Then she adds, looking over at me, “Vic’s family is coming up, too. Spring break week with no school. They said they’d help out with volunteering. Just put them to work wherever you need.”

“That’s huge,” Denver says, looking over at Alex. “Thanks, bro.”

“It was Rose who threatened them. My dad would do anything for her. Just had to ask.” Rose smiles at me, her eyes sparkling, while my mind immediately wanders to all the ways she could repay me later.

Rose nods. “Yeah, and campus will be mostly closed, so it’ll be just us and whoever shows up to the event. Less traffic, fewer distractions.”

Callie glances up. “Honestly, that’s kind of perfect for photos.”

“Yeah,” Denver adds. “Feels more…authentic, showing the quaint little New England town that isn’t so flooded with students when the school is in session. Just the locals.”

Rose smiles faintly. “Exactly.” Her phone buzzes again. She doesn’t look at it this time, though. It rests facedown. I look at it and frown, then look back up at her again.

“And the band?” she asks, avoiding my stare and redirecting.

“Confirmed,” Callie says. “Irish folk group.”

Denver nods. “People will stick around for that.”

Rose’s phone buzzes again with its third message. She exhales softly, pushing her chair back. “I’m gonna run to the bathroom,” she says, already grabbing her bag.

I nod, watching her disappear toward the hallway. Callie and Denver fall into a conversation amongst themselves about turnout numbers and sponsorships. I only half-listen, my attention drifting. When I see her phone light up again, I can’t help it. It’s right there. I tell myself I don’t mean to look, but I do.

Chelsea: What time are you getting there?

Chelsea: I want everything to be perfect for you.

Chelsea: Maxwell and Lucinda are going to be there, too.

Chelsea: Glad you took my advice about the woods.