“You”—Mack tugs on my hand and forces me to face him—“are my favorite.”
Just like that, I’m not self-conscious anymore. “Ditto.”
“Hey! I’m right here!”
I chuckle. “Sorry, Rosie. You know I love you.”
“Darn right. Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to try to enjoy my lunch, and as much as I like this”—she points between the two of us—“I also can’t eat with you guys being all mushy gushy.”
“I actually have to go. I’m working this afternoon.” Mack tosses his napkin on top of his plate and stands. He lingers behind my chair, setting his hands on my shoulders and massaging the muscles in my upper back.
I fight the urge to moan, because we don’t need anI’ll-have-what-she’s-havingmoment in the Getaway Café. But it feels nice, and I could very much get used to this.
“See you later?” His warm breath tickles my ear.
I nod, and he places a quick kiss on my cheek.
“Bye, Rose.”
“Later, Mack.”
I watch him leave, and I can’t help but notice that Tricia keeps her focus on her food and doesn’t throw any shade his direction as he walks past her table.
Missionfreakingaccomplished.
Rose and I finish eating our delicious lunch and stroll out along Main Street. We window shop and pop into Mood Reader where Rose shows me a book on gardening that she makes me buy.
I can’t remember a better day. Then again, I’ve been thinking that a lot lately.
“We should head back to The Downer.” I tuck the book in my tote, giving it a tap. “I want to put some of this book knowledge to use.”
“You’re such a nerd.”
“I’m going to take that as a compliment.”
After a couple seconds of silence, Rose says, “So…”
“So, what?”
“Are you staying in Cashmere Cove?”
I square my shoulders. “Yes.”
Rose whoops and hugs me around the waist. “Good choice, Pops. Good choice.”
I sigh. It does feel right, and I’m grateful.
My phone rings, and I shrug Rose off so I can dig for it under my new book.
“It’s Noli,” I say, checking the display screen. “Hey, sister.”
“Uh, Poppy. Right. No, it’s Nelson.”
I stop walking. An icy finger of anxiety flies up my spine.
“Nelson. What’s up? Where’s Noli?”
“Uh, she, uh—”
