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I want to lean in and hug him. I want to rest my head on his shoulder and feel those thick arms surround me, grounding me. But I don’t want to potentially bring him unwanted attention.

Bryce looks at my lips and I wonder if he’s thinking of doing more than just hugging me. The thought makes butterflies flutter in my belly.

But I step back instead of leaning in. “I have to go.”

The security guard opens my door and I step in.

“Goodbye,” I say as the door closes behind me.

I watch Bryce wave to me through the tainted glass, and the car moves forward.

I get a last glimpse of Spring Festival streamers hanging on a light post, and with a heavy heart I say goodbye to Dogwood Grove.

Blake

I can’t stop from looking up at the clock. It’s ten fifteen p.m. The concert must be over by now. I don’t know if Amelia is planning on hanging out at the festival or going straight home. I check my phone to see if she sent me a message.

Nothing.

Luke, who’s sitting in my spot at the bar scowls at me. It’s the fourth time he’s caught me looking at my phone. And he’s looking even more glum than usual. I already asked him what was wrong and got a grunt as an answer. That usually means he doesn’t want to talk about it. And Luke doesn’t want to talk about most things, so who knows what bit him.

I finish filling the dishwasher and turn it on.

The bar is only half full. Mostly, it’s men who didn’t care about the concert and came here instead, but they’re starting to leave now.

“Cheer up,” Brody says, elbowing me in the arm as he passes by.

I look where he’s aiming his chin at the front door.

Amelia walks in with Bryce and Scarlett.

She is all I can see as she walks over to me, a shy smile on her face.

I barely hear Luke asking where the kids are, and Scarlett answering that Madison took them to the carnival and they didn’t want to leave.

I walk around the bar.

“Hi,” Amelia says.

I can’t help it, I grab her and kiss her, opening my mouth ever so slightly, only enough to get a hint of her sweet taste. “I missed you.”

Shit, I really do have it bad.

She smiles wider. “I missed you too.”

“I really don’t need to see this,” Brody grumbles.

“Shush. I think it’s nice. Let Amelia move on. People have the right to move on.” There is an edge to Scarlett’s voice that suggests that she’s not just talking about Amelia here.

I keep one arm around Amelia while Brody gets everyone their drinks.

Bryce goes behind the bar and puts on his apron.

“Did you find Nina?” I ask.

Bryce shoots me a hard glare. “Yes. And Amelia told me that you knew.”

“Sorry,” Amelia whispers in my ear.