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“I’m glad you could make it. I didn’t know she’d win the whole thing, but it was my favorite. It’s so awesome that it’s really based on you two.”

Cole slipped his arm around Miles’s waist. “Let’s go talk to her. Catch you two later?”

“Yeah. We’re going to go grab a bite.”

They gave us a knowing look, one that could only pass from one couple to another. Were we starting to develop that?

We stepped out into the cooling evening air. As we walked toward Red’s, two teens approached with hopeful expressions and Pride shirts in hand.

“Mr. Gallagher, would you mind signing these?” asked a lanky teen with braces who was wearing a Phoenix Pride hockey jersey. His voice cracked with nerves. “I’m Anton and this is my boyfriend, Clark. We’re trying to get everyone’s signatures.”

“Of course.” Ethan took the offered marker, his smile warm and genuine as he accepted the Maplewood Pride shirts from them. The shirts already had signatures from Dix and Caleb.

Clark, the shorter of the two, with glasses and a rainbow beanie, bounced on his toes. “Thank you for this! It’s so amazing meeting all of you.”

Ethan looked around, trying to decide what to use to write against, when Clark dug into his shoulder bag.

“Sorry,” he said, handing over a copy of a Kendrick Sanderson book. “This will help.”

Ethan nodded and put the shirt against the book. Then he carefully added his signature with deliberate strokes. “You can find Miles and Cole in the gallery down the block if you want to try to grab them now.”

“Oh cool!” Anton exclaimed, practically vibrating with excitement.

“Are you coming to the game on Saturday?”

They nodded enthusiastically.

“We start camp in a week too.” Clark clutched his signed shirt to his chest. “It’s going to be cool learning from you and Kyle Pressgrove.”

“Fantastic. I look forward to seeing what you’ve got on the ice.” Ethan’s genuine interest made both teens beam.

“Thanks so much.” Anton held up his shirt like a trophy. Clark was already folding his, treating it like a precious artifact. “See you around!”

The boys hurried off, their excited chatter trailing behind them.

“You’re great with them,” I said as we resumed walking.

“They remind me of myself at that age.” He laced his fingers through mine. “Though I didn’t have out hockey players for mentors then.”

The warmth of his hand against mine created a sense of connection that belied how new this was between us. We walked in comfortable silence, taking in the festival as we headed toward Red’s.

“The usual?” Ingrid asked as she took us to the corner booth Mickey had set aside for us.

“Definitely,” Ethan said. “I’ve thought about that burger all day. And a 27, please.”

“My usual as well,” I added. “And can we get maple bacon cheese fries to share?”

“Coming right up.” She winked at us before heading to the kitchen.

“The usual?” I raised an eyebrow at Ethan.

“Just because I’m only here for two or three months of the year doesn’t mean my likes change.” He smiled sheepishly. “The best burgers in Vermont, and really in North America as far as I’m concerned, are right here.”

“No argument there.” I took a sip of the water Ingrid had left us, studying Ethan’s face. He looked relaxed, happy. “How are you feeling with the first of the grand marshal duties behind you?”

“Exhausted but good.” He played with his straw wrapper. “It’s different from the physical exhaustion of hockey. The things I’m doing with the festival are more personal. And seeing everyone so excited makes it easier.”

“You’re doing an amazing job.”