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“I heard about the party tomorrow night,” I say. I want to tell him I’m proud of him, but something stops me. “It’s a great idea.”

“If anyone shows,” he says. He nods in the direction of the staff housing block and we begin to walk.

“Of course they’ll show. This town loves you. They want to support you.”

Hope brightens his face. I want to press my palm to his cheek and tell him everything is going to be okay. I’ve never felt so certain that things are going to work out.

“Are you working tomorrow?” he asks.

“Yeah,” I reply. “I’ve been moved into Blossom and events.” We reach the door to my building and stop to face each other.

He nods. “Good. Are you happy?”

My heart clenches. Does he mean with my job? Or does he mean without him?

“Could we find some time to talk?” I ask without thinking. I just don’t want this to be the last conversation we have. I’m not quite sure what I want to say. But I know there are things thatneedto be said.

“Now?” he says, glancing around.

I shake my head. Seeing him has stirred something in me. I need to figure out what before we talk. “No. Maybe… after the party? We could meet in town.”

He nods, but he’s uncertain. “We can do that.”

“Breakfast on Tuesday?” I suggest. I don’t start work until midday. “Eight?”

He searches my eyes but remains quiet. Voices from behind us interrupt and he hands me my bag. “Eight at the diner.”

He goes to leave and I catch his arm, a familiar buzz passing between us. We lock eyes. The chemistry we had is still there. But now it’s something more.

“Thank you for the card,” I say. It was kind and thoughtful and asked nothing of me. It just said he was thinking of me. “It’s one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me.”

“Oh, Rosey,” he says, his tone full of sadness.

My stomach lilts at the way he says my name. “Don’t feel sorry for me. I’m so lucky, Byron.” Lucky to know him. Lucky he’s standing right in front of me.

People are coming toward us. We need to end this conversation. We both know it. But I don’t think I’m strong enough.

“Until Tuesday, Rosey Williams,” he says.

A smile curls around my lips at the way he says my full name.

His smile matches mine, and I have to look away. It’s too much. Whenever he’s near, I always want more.

He turns and heads back down the path we just came from. I open the door and I turn to watch him down the path. He’s just about to step out of sight when he turns back and sees me watching him. I can’t help but laugh at getting caught.

The smile I see spread across his face tells me he knows exactly what I’m thinking.

THIRTY-FIVE

Byron

I know Hazel is talking at me, I just can’t hear what she’s saying, My mind is too full. I check my watch again. Six twenty. The first shuttle bus with guests for the town party should be on its way by now, ready to arrive for six thirty. But there’s another bus that will leave from behind the library around now. I have no idea if there’ll be anyone on either bus.

I shouldn’t care. If no one turns up, I’ll save money on booze and I can head back to the cabin for an early night. The thing is, I do care.

Kathleen messages me, asking me where I am. I reply I’m in the ballroom and instantly she appears.

“Byron, hey, I have some good news for you.”