As if it were that easy. I’d had boyfriends, but none of them had stuck around. I was good enough for a few dates or months, but nothing long-term.
Alex threw a dart, which bounced off the board and landed unceremoniously on the floor. I snapped a photo of Alex pouting and attached it to my text thread with Andre. I missed having him around on our nights at the pub.
Mickey: [photo of Alex] Miss you guys. Hope all is going well out west.
“Do you think Bo is ready to take a permanent spot in the game? I’m starting to think about our next campaign,” Alex asked me.
“I’m sure what he wants to do and can do are two different things. It’s hard to imagine his schedule ever easing up.” I worried about how much he worked, but he changed the subject anytime I brought it up. “He loves the one-off campaigns we do when he can join though.”
Finn and his boyfriend Drake returned with fresh pitchers of beer. Drake had been in Maplewood for half a year, and no one batted an eye any longer at having a famous musician in town. He’d been part of his family’s legendary band, Melodious Moon. Now he focused on songwriting, which seemed to be agood thing given what he’d shared about his family’s less-than-sparkly history. His twin, Dirk, now pursuing acting, was coming to stay for Christmas, which would definitely get some space onMaplewood Matters. Outside of professional athletes, our small town wasn’t used to world-famous celebrities hanging out at the pub.
“Hey, Sam, how’s the ice cream shop handling the cold season?” Drake asked as he began refilling everyone’s glasses.
“Better than I expected. I wasn’t sure if people would still be in the mood for ice cream once the weather cooled, but I’m getting steady traffic.” Sam saluted Drake with their full glass. “I’m testing adding a variety of hot chocolate flavors to the menu for winter.”
“That’s clever.” An idea took shape. “How would you feel about making hot chocolate for the Christmas Eve Community Dinner? Bo got a grant that would cover the cost of supplies, but if you have the time to make a large volume, it would be a great way to tell the town that you’re now offering it. Caspian is providing coffee from Special Blend, but I didn’t think about hot chocolate.”
Sam lit up. “I love that! Sign me up.”
I loved how quick people were to help out in Maplewood. It was a special place.
“Great. I’ll talk to Amos, and we’ll find a time to swing by the shop to talk specific with you.”
“Sounds perfect. Thanks!”
“I won’t even hold it against you that you’re Team Sparky’s.” I winked at Sam. I couldn’t miss the chance for some gentle teasing of a close friend.
Sam laughed good-naturedly. Neither of us ever took it seriously, and it was fun to tease. That was what the rivalry should be about, not secrets and stress.
“Speaking of Amos. Isn’t that him with Sage?” Jason said as he jerked his chin toward a cluster of pub tables on the other side of the room.
I swung my head around so fast that I nearly sprained my neck. Ignoring my friends’ snickers, I scanned for familiar blond curls.
“Go say hi.” Finn nudged me in Amos’s direction.
I shook my head. “I’m out with my friends, and he’s out with his sibling.”
“We could all be out together.” Sam made it sound simpler than it was.
“And scandalize everyone in here? No way.” Before I got the sentence out, Alex was already heading straight over to them.
“Should I stop him?” Cody asked.
Finn snorted. “Go ahead and try.”
Drake laughed. “Anyone got some popcorn?”
I flipped him off while biting back a smile. As Alex closed the distance between them, my stomach twisted in knots. What if Amos didn’t want to hang with us in public? What if Sage got upset? What if they joined us and we had so much fun that I fell even harder for Amos?
When Alex stopped at their table, Amos smiled widely at him. They seemed to exchange a friendly greeting, not that I was watching every micro expression I could see from this distance. Alex jerked his thumb toward us, and Amos looked our way. When we locked eyes, Amos smiled. It wasn’t the wide, easy smile he always wore for anyone and everyone. This was his special smile, one I’d noticed he often aimed at me.
Sage said something that made Alex laugh, then Amos and Sage stood, grabbed their drinks, and followed Alex over to us.
Amos wore a light-blue sweater that made his eyes appear impossibly brighter. The material looked soft, and I longed toreach out and stroke it and then touch his curls to see if they were equally as soft.
When they joined us, I shook Sage’s hand as they made the rounds, greeting everyone. When I turned to Amos, I froze. A handshake felt so formal, especially for someone I’d made out with in this very building, but a hug felt too intimate for our public setting. Amos put me out of my misery by giving my bicep a gentle squeeze.
“Hey.” The word came out like a purr. “Wasn’t expecting to run into you tonight.”
