Page 44 of In This Moment

Glancing over his shoulder, she caught Graham’s disapproving expression a half-second before Scarlett and Dorothy swooped in for a group hug.

Forest let out an oomph, then laughed again. “If I’d known this was all it took…”

Scarlett lifted her head. “Get in here, Graham.”

“Um.” He shook his head. “Forest and I don’t have a hug-it-out kind of relationship.”

Forest grunted. “He’s not comfortable in his masculinity.”

“Whatever, dude.”

A roll of her eyes, and Rebecca extracted an arm. Snatching a fistful of his shirt, she dragged Graham against them, and papers scattered on the ground.

Face smooshed in Forest’s shirt, Graham sighed. “Okay, then. Five-some it is.”

Dancing in place, Scarlett backed away and squealed. “This is amazing!”

Forest set Rebecca on her feet as the others created a respectable distance once again. He bent to retrieve the scattered paperwork while Graham smoothed his tee with both hands, his cheeks flushed.

“I’m going to call contractors.” Dorothy whirled toward her car, then paused. “Is there anything else?”

“No, ma’am. We’re good.” On what seemed like an impulse, Forest brushed a strand of auburn hair away from her cheek. Dorothy’s eyes widened, and he froze. “I’m sorry. You just had a piece of hair, and… Sorry.”

Seemingly not breathing, Dorothy shook her head. “Totally okay. Thanks. I’ll go now.”

“Oh!” Rebecca snapped her fingers. “Anyone have plans tonight? I thought maybe we could get together for drinks or something. Including Aden, so Graham can meet him?”

“That sounds like a terrible idea.” Scarlett narrowed her eyes, smiling. “What time?”

Dorothy laughed. “I’m free.”

Forest and Graham nodded.

Scarlett’s thumbs went to work on her cell. “Graham, what’s your number?”

He rattled it off.

“I’ll send a group text and we can decide where and when. I included Aden.”

“Sounds good. Bye, y’all.” Dorothy waved. “See you tonight.”

A few minutes later, Scarlett took off, too.

Rebecca sighed dreamily, unable to fight her stupid smiling. Things were finally falling into place, and her heart was full. The library, her career, even something blooming with Graham. It felt surreal.

“Wanna see the library?” she asked him.

His grin was amped to high voltage. “Absolutely.”

“You two go ahead.” Forest held up the papers. “I’ll get these reorganized and wait in the truck.”

Graham shook his head. “I’ll walk home from here. Head out. I’ll catch up with you tonight.”

They waited for Forest to leave, then she dug the keys out of her purse.

“Just a warning, it’s in pretty bad shape, but now that we’re cleared with the Historical Society, we can fix that soon.”

His smile softened, gaze sweeping her face. “You look really happy.”

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