Page 92 of Sweet Thing

“Sure, why not?” I shot a quick glance at Lars, whose lips curved.

Someone moved a chair near the playpen, and I took a seat with my guitar in my lap. My dad cut the Spotify, which of course drew attention to the live entertainment. God, this was nerve-wracking. I never sang for anyone other than my family, but I knew most everyone here. If only my fingers would stop shaking.

I sent a quick look to Lars, who stood off to the side with Mabel. He offered a smile of encouragement, and just the sight of him there in his silly Viking helmet, holding his little girl, gave me the confidence I needed.

As we had so many fun costumes, many of them animals, it made sense to go with Old MacDonald, though with a twist.

“Old Man Kershaw had a farm, E-I-E-I-O.”

“Hey!” My dad whined, which made everyone laugh, and instantly relaxed me.

“And on that farm, he had a … cow. E-I-E-I-O. With a moo-moo here …”

To ensure each of the kids got a verse, I stood and started a circuit. It didn’t matter that they weren’t all dressed as animals; we managed to come up with fun, representative sounds together. Fairies wisped, princesses giggled, pirates arghed, and witches vroomed (on their brooms). By the time I had name-checked all the kids, the knocking of my heart against my rib cage was drowned out in the roar of approval from the crowd.

Lars was the first person to approach me right after with Mabel in his arms.

“Mabel says that was the best song she’s ever heard.”

Pulling on a felt udder on Mabel’s costume, I whispered, “What about her dad?”

“He thinks it needed more references to Duckman’s thick beard.”

“Oh, shut it,” I said with a giggle.

“We never did discuss you writing a song about me.”

I rolled my eyes as my cheeks burned. “It was a special request for Tilly who has a big crush on you.”

He didn’t further embarrass me with a comment about her older sister having it just as bad. Instead, his eyes searched my face.

“Seriously, I loved it and so did everyone else. Maybe there’s room for another bright star in the night sky.”

I choked back the emotion in my throat. That night I talked about my envy of Rosie and fear of not taking chances seemed like a lifetime away, though it was only a week.

With a shaky hand, I set my guitar down beside the credenza in the living room. “I’m headed to the kitchen. You need anything?”

“Nah, we’re okay. We’ll miss you, though.”

Swoon.Walking by, I couldn’t help brushing my arm against his. Foolish, I knew, but I was falling hard here, and that kind of falling was characterized by idiotic behavior. I wiped the smile off my face, but obviously not fast enough.

Rosie intercepted me before I made it to the bar setup in the kitchen. “That wasso much fun. How about we get some air?”

“Sure, but first I was going to?—”

“Now, Adeline Aurora Kershaw.”

We didn’t make it to the back door. Rosie yanked me into the pantry and closed the door.

“I thought we were getting air.”

“Are you kidding? It’s cold enough to freeze my tits off. What’s going on with you and the Hockey-nator?” Her lips twitched. “Work in progress.”

Modeling good behavior for Mabel. Nothing to see here!

Instead of that perfect excuse, my next words came tumbling out in a run-on rush.“Wesortofhadsex.”

Rosie’s dark eyes sparked with glee. “Okay! Good thing the country isn’t relying on you to keep its classified secrets.”

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