Page 47 of Rosie and the Beast Next Door

“That would ruin it.”

“And some heavy cream. Sugar. Maybe a little vanilla.”

“So you wish it was chocolate covered strawberry ice cream.”

“Yes. Oh my gosh, that sounds so good.”

He laughed, and my stomach did that squeeze thing it did earlier when I caught him watching me after I slid into home to win our scrimmage. I’d quickly looked away to see if Max had seen—he had, but his expression had been nowhere near as happy as Dylan’s. Which made sense, since Max wasn’t on my team. Technically, neither was Dylan, but he had been today. And I’d never seen him smile so much.

The team took up every table in the parlor, with some people standing in clusters around the chairs. Dylan had ordered his sorbet, then beelined it to the back of the shop, near the ancient arcade games. I had joined him after I hugged and high-fived everyone on the team.

“You can smile,” I said.

I regretted saying something when his smile dimmed. “Of course I do.”

“Haven’t seen it very much.”

“Hasn’t been much to smile about lately.”

I bumped my shoulder against his arm in comfort. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to not only lose your best friend, but to see it happen and not be able to stop it.

After Shiloh died, the town had been quiet for days. Even those of us who didn’t know him that well knew his parents and Hudson, and we’d heard about the money and time he donated to the town’s teams. He’d funded so many scholarships for club sports that half the town could credit him for being able to play the sport they loved.

Dylan coming home to Winterhaven, though? It was like the sun coming out. He couldn’t see it, but I did. I’d been worried about Dylan shaking up the town, but him being here was a good shake up. Like cream turning into ice cream kind of good.

“I’m glad you’re here,” I said.

He scoffed. “Well, at least there’s one.”

“What in the world are you talking about?”

Before he could answer, Charlie approached to give us a hug. “Me and Greg are going to catch some dinner.

“Where at?” Dylan finished the last of his sorbet and tossed the cup into the trash can—nothin’ but net.

“That new sushi place.”

“You hate sushi.” I folded my arms.

“Not all sushi,” Charlie said. “I like rice and veggies.”

I leveled her with a stare and almost said more but then paused. I would not make Charlie choose between me and Greg. I had to try harder to like him, for Charlie. “Love you. Have fun.”

She hugged me tighter, and I could feel her relief that I’d let it go. She hugged Dylan next, and he lifted her off her feet and whispered something in her ear that made her laugh.

“What did you say?” I asked him. Most of the team was heading out the door with goodbyes and waves, until Dylan and I were the only ones left. I was still working on my huge cone—most of the cookies and cream scoop was gone, but I still had the mint-chocolate chip layer to go—so we snagged a table and sat.

“I asked her to please tell me what a Wickham was.”

I laughed and leaned close like I was about to tell him a secret. “I’d tell you, but it would cost you six hours of your life.”

His eyes sparked with interest. He leaned even closer, and my train of thought was derailed. As was my remaining scoop of ice cream, which plopped from my cone to the table.

“That’s the universe saving you,” Dylan said.

“I’m sure this table’s clean enough to just scoop it right back on …” There were colorful stains from several different other flavors of ice cream on the table. I hesitated.

“I have an unopened toothpaste tube I can give you when we get home.”

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