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“But I should have,” I insisted. “I was so caught up in my own world that I didn’t even bother to ask. Instead, I assumed things and missed out on knowing someone I actually admired.”

“You can now, though, right?”

“Maybe. He said he wants to get together after the festival. But why would he want to get to know me after how crappy I made him feel?”

“Do I need to make a list? You’re both amazing people. Why wouldn’t you want to know each other?” Mickey’s eyes widened as he leaned across the table and lowered his voice. “Wait, is there more going on than a possible friendship?”

My heart raced and I shrugged. “The thought terrifies me.”

“Why?” Mickey asked softly.

“Because it’s Ethan.” I paused, hoping that explained everything, but Mickey’s expectant gaze forced me to continue. “We have all this terrible history. What if I’m reading too much into things and he doesn’t feel the same way?”

Mickey was quiet for a moment. “Can I tell you something? Something only one other person knows?”

“Of course.”

“Back in college, I had the biggest crush on this musician, Fred.” Mickey’s voice softened. “He was hot, charming, and smart. Watching him play piano was mesmerizing, the emotions crossing his face… We had a couple of classes together and I got to know him. But I never took the chance to ask him out. I told myself someone as creative as him wouldn’t want a small-town boy like me.”

“That’s on my mind too. Why on earth would he want to be with a librarian from his hometown? What kind of heartbreak am I setting myself up for?”

“What if you’re setting yourself up for the best thing ever? Ethan asked me that question when I told him about my crush, and it’s something you should think about.”

I sat back, mulling over Mickey’s words. It seemed simple, but it would be an enormous leap. “So you think I should tell Ethan how I feel?”

Mickey shrugged. “I’m not saying declare your undying love right now. But you should give yourself a chance to see what might happen.”

The bell over the diner door chimed, and Olivia walked in. We traded smiles as she stopped at the counter to chat with Ingrid before coming over.

“Hey, you two. Mind if I join you for a minute while I wait for my order?”

“Of course not,” I said. “We were just talking about the festival.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Olivia grabbed a chair from one of the nearby tables. “A couple of artists arrived today to set up their larger installations. Oh, and did you guys catch the press conference about Ethan’s charity hockey game?”

I shook my head. “I couldn’t make it over there. How did it go?”

“It was great.” Olivia pulled out her phone, showing me a photo. “I happened to be near the rink and stopped by. Ethan was there with Dixon Cliff, who’s already in town. Ethan talked about how important events like the game and the festival are for bringing the community together, celebrating diversity, and raising money for a great cause. Alex was there, just like always, snapping pics for the town socials. TV and newspapers from out of town were there too.”

Alex covered every town event and was incredibly fast getting posts up on the city’s website and social media. Between him and Wade the festival would be well covered.

“That’s great there was out-of-town coverage,” I said.

“Did you know how many players he’s got coming in?” Olivia looked between us. We both shook our heads. “It’s like ten. I might not have counted right, but it’s a lot. Plus, they’ll have autographed jerseys and other stuff in an auction. Tickets are almost sold out.”

“I’d heard that,” I said. “And that was just with Ethan and Dixon on the website. There was a mention of more guest players to be announced, but I hadn’t expected so many.”

“He’s going to put the rest of us who organize festival events to shame.” Mickey’s tone was light.

“Right?” Olivia added.

Her order was called, and she hopped up. “I better get going. See you two later.”

We nodded and said our goodbyes as she pushed her chair back in.

Mickey turned to me with a raised eyebrow. “So, back to Ethan.”

Hope fluttered in my chest, quickly followed by anxiety. “I don’t know. Even if he is into it… what if it all goes wrong?”