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Her phone buzzed in her blazer pocket, and Evelyn didn’t move at first. Her professional instinct told her to ignore it, but something in her gut twisted. Holding up a finger to politely interrupt, she reached into her pocket and glanced at the screen. Jo. Her heart stuttered. The message could say anything good or bad, but she had to read it. “Excuse me,” she said, rising from her seat before she could think twice. “I’m so sorry, but I need to step out for a moment and answer this text.”

Looking surprised but polite, her new colleague nodded. “Of course,” she said. “Take your time.” Evelyn didn’t hesitate. She slipped out of the conference room and into the hallway, ducking into a quiet alcove near the water cooler. Once alone, she stared at the screen and read the message.

The last line made her suck in a breath. “I miss you.” Evelyn’s eyes stung, but she smiled anyway.

Tapping quickly, she typed her reply. “I miss you too. We need to talk.” She waited, heart pounding.

It didn’t take long for Jo to respond. “Yeah. We do.” Evelyn bit her lip. She stared at the screen, trying to find the best way to answer without getting too close to the real topic they needed to discuss. Doing it by text was not what she wanted.

After a beat, she typed again. “How’s the block party planning going?”

There was a pause, then Jo’s reply. “Honestly? I’m still not sure we can pull it off.”

Evelyn exhaled slowly, her fingers moving without hesitation now. “Can we meet after work? Talk about it. All of it?”

The answer came right back. “I’d like that. You up for a ride? Go somewhere quiet.”

A rush of warmth filled Evelyn’s chest, and she wrote back. “I’d love that. Tell me when and where.”

“I’ll pick you up at your place after work,” Jo messaged. “Wear something warm.”

Evelyn smiled, her heart lighter than it had been in days. She slid the phone into her pocket and took a deep breath, trying to refocus on work. It wasn’t easy. When she returned to the conference room, the project coordinator was waiting. “Everything okay?” she asked, and Evelyn nodded.

“Never better,” she replied, thinking of being on the back of the motorcycle with Jo. The wait was going to make it a long afternoon.

Leaning into the curve of the road, with the early evening sun slanting low through the trees, Jo wound their way toward Mount Tabor Park. The GTO had been tempting, but something about taking the motorcycle felt right. Evelyn’s arms were wrapped snugly around Jo’s waist, her body pressed close, and Jo could feel every subtle shift in weight. She hadn’t realized how much she had missed the feeling of Evelyn’s body against hers. Jo’s heart beat a little faster, not from the ride, but from the woman holding on to her like she didn’t want to let go.

They crested a small hill, the road narrowing as they approached the entrance to the park. Jo slowed the bike and pulled into a gravel turnout near the base of the hill. She cut the engine, the sudden silence filled only by birdsong and the distant hum of traffic. As if it were something she did every day, Evelyn slid off the bike behind her, pulling off her helmet and shaking out her hair. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright. “Mount Tabor,” she said. “I love this place.” She glanced up the wide path that led into the trees. “I used to come here all the time when I lived on the eastside. I loved to hike the trails, and it gave me time to think.”

Jo smiled as she dismounted, unhooking the blanket she had strapped to the back of the bike. “Great,” she said. “Figured it was your kind of spot.”

Evelyn turned to look at her with a soft smile. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Jo said, returning her smile. “I’m thinking we could go to the clearing near the top with the great view. If you’re up to climbing the hill.”

“And if not?” Evelyn asked, raising an eyebrow. “Were you planning to carry me?”

“Maybe,” she said with a little laugh. “Don’t tempt me.” They started walking, the wide path winding through towering evergreens and moss-covered oaks. They passed a few joggers, a couple walking a golden retriever, and a kid on a longboard. Joglanced at Evelyn as they walked. The woman’s face was calm, but there was a tension in her shoulders that hadn’t been there the last time they saw each other. Jo wanted to take her hand, but she didn’t. It didn’t feel right yet.

Climbing the last set of stone stairs, Jo led them off the main path to a grassy overlook tucked away behind a grove of trees. The city stretched out below them. “Wow,” Evelyn stopped. “This is beautiful. We’re lucky it’s so clear.”

Pausing to look, Jo had to agree. It was a perfect setting. She carefully unrolled the blanket on the grass and dropped onto it while Evelyn sat beside her, pulling her knees up and wrapping her arms around them. For a moment, they sat in silence, watching the sun dip lower.

Not sure where to start, Jo cleared her throat. “Okay,” she said, not looking at Evelyn. “Block party.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Jo saw Evelyn glance at her, then look back at the view. “Yeah,” she said. “Block party.”

Her stomach tightening, Jo took a deep breath. “You still think I should do it?” she asked, and Evelyn nodded.

“I do,” Evelyn said softly. “I think it could help. And not only financially. I mean, yeah, it will raise money, but it’s more than that. It’s about reminding people what your shop means to the community. About giving them a reason to show up for you.”

Jo looked at her. “You think people will? Because I’m not so sure.”

When Evelyn turned to look in Jo’s eyes, her gaze held steady. “I know they will,” she said. “The garage has been a part of the community for a long time, and I know people respect you and Mr. Diaz before you.”

Still not sure, Jo swallowed. “It’s a lot of work,” she said. “And we don’t have much time to organize it.”

“I know,” Evelyn said gently. “But you won’t be doing it alone. I’ll help. Mica, Mr. Diaz, Rosa… all of us will.”