Page 132 of While You Were Trending

Appreciation of Declan’s kindness.

Gratitude on Adelaide’s behalf that she’s getting this moment for her mom.

Jealousy on my behalf that she’s getting all of his undivided attention.

Frustration with myself over the jealousy.

I have no business caring what Declan does or doesn’t do, but I can no longer deny that I like him.

I like him a lot.

More with every passing minute, and not just because seeing him shirtless is turning my insides to jelly.

Is he even bigger than he was when I knew him?

His arms—and the slope of his shoulders—and his broad, hairy chest—and his flat stomach—and the complete attention he’s giving to my new friend while I’m surrounded by the unique cinnamon and leather scent infused into his shirt?—

I’ve gone from embarrassing terror over a bug smaller than my pinky fingernail to a bundle of hormones.

“You grew up in South Carolina?” he’s saying to Adelaide.

She nods. “Lived there all my life. My mama too.”

“She didn’t cheer for Carolina?”

“She did, but my daddy went to Minnesota, so he followed all of the players who came from there, and after he passed, Mama took it up in his honor.”

“Lot of superstars come out of Minnesota.”

“Including you.”

He quirks one corner of his mouth and shakes his head. “Nah, I was just a tagalong.”

“She saw the article you wrote for that one sports journal about getting traded.”

“Ah.”

“She believed in making the best of every situation too. She appreciated that about you. And then the teddy bear thing—that done did it. Mama would’ve loved the devil himself if he delivered that many teddy bears to children’s hospitals.”

Declan blushes.

He actually blushes. “Giving back’s important.”

“You deserved better than the way that team let you go.”

He lifts a broad shoulder. “All good. I wouldn’t be here if they hadn’t.”

“That’s what my mama would’ve said too. That I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t gone on our trip without her.”

I finger the hem of Declan’s shirt while I watch them. The fabric’s softer than the expensive sheets my mother always insists she needs tokeep up appearances.

And I’m not paying attention at all to anything Cricket and Mabel are saying beside me.

Ishouldbe paying attention.

We got early concepts for a winery logo from one of our former residents who does graphic design for a living, though we’re still debating what we want to rebrand as.

“How long ago did you lose her?” Declan asks.