Page 125 of While You Were Trending

“Crab rangoon isn’t good cold. Or microwaved.”

“That’s why air fryers exist, my man,” Lav replies.

Declan looks at me. “She’s seven? For real?”

It’s impossible to not smile at his question. “You get used to it.”

“I’m not taking no for an answer,” Lav tells him. “My dad’s making ribs, and Mabel says you can’t put a price on that man’s meat.”

I almost choke on my tongue. “When did Mabel say that?”

“Yesterday.”

She doesn’t fill in any more details, and I make the logical assumption that Pip told Lavender Mabel said that, and that Pip got her facts wrong.

Declan’s turned around and has his head angled down, hand to his mouth, shoulders shaking like he’s stifling a laugh.

“You heard the lady,” I say to his back. “You’re missing dinneranda show if you stay here.”

His gaze slides toward the TV.

“You’d miss Heath’s meat for a hockey game that you can replay later?” I ask. “Get your shoes on and come with us. I insist.”

I do.

I want him to come with us to dinner.

Maybe this is me being bad.

Maybe it’s me being brave.

Whatever it is, I don’t want to go to the barn and wonder what Declan’s doing. I want to see him. To watch him. To talk to him and try to find a new normal between us.

Warm brown eyes meet mine, and something new tickles my breastbone.

Something that feels like the hope frosting on top of the starting over cupcake.

“Bring the crab rangoon,” I add. “You can order more with your breakfast tomorrow.”

“Okay then,” he says softly. “Can I change?”

“No.” Lav grins at him. “You men always take too long to get ready.”

“Your dad is literally the only other man around here, and he never takes too long to get ready,” I say.

“Have you ever watched the man’s morning routine? He takesforeeevvvvvvvveerrrr.It’s a shower and then coffee and then sitting on the deck and then pulling the cat out of the cat door when she gets stuck, and that wasbeforehe started makingCricket’s coffee and helping Cricket with her showers and being Cricket’s chair on the deck. Get your shoes on, Foxy. This train’s leaving with or without you.”

Declan looks at me once more.

It’s like a finalare you sure?

I nod.

He nods back.

And soon, the three of us are making our way across the fields to the barn for the post-harvest party.

With Fluffy, Lav’s very aptly named calico cat, walking alongside us on a leash, same as Flow is.