Fran’s smile shows an awful lot of teeth. “We’re delighted to hear you finally made a move.”
Her friend nudges her with an elbow. “We talked about this. Be subtle.”
Fran nudges her back. “I am being subtle.”
She’s really not. Everyone in line can hear her. Apparently, the whole town has thoughts on us branching out and starting a coffee cart. I didn’t know it was such a popular subject.
“It’s all because of Rose’s enthusiasm,” I tell her honestly. No sense pretending it was my idea.
The two women titter together, sharing a look I’m out of my depth to decipher.
“I’ll bet she’s enthusiastic.” Fran’s gaze tracks over my body in a slow glide. I suddenly feel like my Perk Me Up T-shirt, flannel shirt, and jeans have disappeared, and I’m standing here in my underwear.
Maybe not even that, the way her mouth curls as she takes me in.
Nora sighs. “You looked into her beautiful face and couldn’t resist, hmm?”
I mean…yeah. But it wouldn’t be very professional to admit that was my motivation behind a business decision.
“Your mother called us right away,” Nora says to Rose. “Lydia told us you’re very happy.”
Rose pops the lid on the drink she made and passes it over. “She’s right. I am.”
“You’re glowing.” Fran shifts her attention to wink at me again. Maybe this is an elderly person eye thing? “Getting the good stuff.”
“Thank you?” Rose sounds as confused by this conversation as I am.
“Lydia’s been hoping for this for a long time,” Nora tells her. “Your mom’s thrilled you two are finally dating.”
I freeze, gripping the milk jug tight in one hand. Synapses misfire in my brain in quick succession. They think we’redating? I’d almost assume she meant we’re dating other people, but their gazes are too avid for that to make any sense.
They thinkwe’redating.
“Oh, that’s not…” Rose glances my way. Her pink cheeks lose their color, transforming into a sickly pale shade right before my eyes. Staring like a deer caught by rapidly approaching headlights, her mouth pulls into the worst fake smile I’ve ever seen. If I had to guess, I’d say she’s careening toward a full-blown panic. “She told you?”
“She couldn’t wait to share the good news.”
Rose might be turning green. “I-I think there’s been some confusion.”
“What confusion?” In case Fran being louder than the man on the banjo isn’t enough, she juts a bony finger at me. “You told your mother he’s your boyfriend. That’s a pretty clear claim.”
I’m dimly aware of Jovie’s squeal of delight ringing through my ears. Luke stares at us as if he can gather all the information he needs in one look. At the edge of my vision, Nathan’s turned into a statue, his straw paused on its way to his open mouth. Half a dozen other people nearby have also heard this very loud, very confusing proclamation.
Rose’s gaze hits mine again, silently pleading. Just what she wants, I can’t say. Acceptance? Forgiveness?
All I know is that my heart convulses in my chest so hard I might need to visit Nathan’s medic tent when this is over. Rose told her mom that I’m her boyfriend? For one brief moment, my ribcage expands like a starburst. In Fran’s words, sheclaimedme.
But a hundred more questions crash in behind the first. Is that what she wants? Why didn’t she tell me? Am I dreaming?
“We’re happy for you.” Nora takes a sip of her drink. “Lydiatold us how hard it’s been for you to find someone new, and look! He was right here all along.”
Rose’s smile is like the weakest coffee: flat and ineffective. “Here he is.”
“And it has to be rough.” Fran shoots a pitiful look Rose’s way. “Seeing Shepherd and Wren get engaged while you’re still single.”
Nora gasps. “Don’t point that out.”
I don’t know why they’re bringing that up, but I can hazard a guess. I’ve never had a problem with Shepherd Callahan before, but now I don’t like the guy. I especially don’t like these women acting like Rose should take his happiness as some kind of failure of her own.