Page 77 of Honey Be Mine
“Well, you did rock it, Rosemary.” Kerrielynn held up her phone. “We’re going to go film some stuff. But we’ll be in room C for Tansy and Dane’s agritourism talk, if that’s okay?”
“Sounds good. Y’all stay together.” Tansy pointed at Kerrielynn’s phone. “And remember to tag the farm and Wholesome Foods if you post, please.”
“Will do.” Kerrielynn nodded.
“Stay together,” Charlie said, smiling at Halley’s overdramatic eye roll and her mumbled “okay, geez.”
“She’ll be fine. They’re good kids, they look out for one another.” Astrid took Charlie’s hand, watching Halley, Leif, and Kerrielynn disappear into the crowd.
“Everett has a point, Rose. Not that you asked me, but I don’t want you working for that tool.” Tansy took Rosemary’s hand. “If you do go back to academia, dig around and find out all you can before taking a position.”
“That’s good advice no matter what field you are in,” Charlie said. “Coworkers can make or break a productive working environment.”
Everett was pretty sure that was the most he’d ever heard the man say. “Isn’t that the truth?”
“Interesting, considering who you work with every day.” Dane’s grin was all mischief.
Was he talking about Rosebud? Or Libby? Either way, he wasn’t going to touch it. Instead he turned to Rosebud. “You shouldn’t work with someone who doesn’t value or acknowledge the contributions you make. That’s not selfish, that’s smart.”
“I know thisisselfish, but it would be nice to have you stay in Honey for a while, Rosemary.” Astrid took Rosebud’s other hand. “You have to be here when Nuc is born so you can read him or her your book.”
As sweet a picture as that painted, he wouldn’t say as much.
“I’ll be here for Nuc’s birth, whether I’m living in Honey or not. I promise.” Rosebud’s words all but confirmed she was thinking about leaving.
“Can we go to the art room now?” Nova tugged on Astrid’s arm.
“Oh, there’s an art room?” Rosebud smiled down at the eager little girl. “I want to go, too.”
Charlie, the sisters, and Nova all headed one way while he and Dane went to check in on Nicole in the booth.
Dane glanced his way. “You going to tell me what happened last night?”
Hell no.“Nothing.”
“Really?” Dane nodded at someone they passed. “Here I thought we were friends.”
“I realized we’re better off as friends.” He shrugged, hoping Dane would believe him.
“I’m sorry, what?” Dane blew out a low whistle. “When did that happen? Because I’m pretty sure you were like a kid on Christmas morning last night before your date.”
He shook his head. “It’s what makes sense. What’s best for us both.”
Dane came to a stop. “I know what you’re doing, Everett. Don’t. It’s okay to go after something you want, you know? Or someone.”
“I can’t lose her friendship, Dane. That’s real and reliable and...enough.” He took a deep breath. “Besides, you saw how she was up there, Dane. Voigt wasn’t the only one wanting her on staff. That woman from Texas A&M wants her, too. She deserves a job that’ll give her that fire every day.” He wanted that for her.
Dane stared at him.
He leveled his best friend with a hard glare. “If you go and tell Tansy any of this, I will kick your ass.”
“I won’t.” Dane crossed his arms over his chest, emphasizing his muscles. “But I’d like to see you try.”
“Whatever.” Everett started walking again, hoping that was the end of it.
“You’re a real jackass, you know that?” Dane shook his head, then started walking again.
“Yeah, I do.” He was grateful when they reached the booth. As much as he wanted to believe Dane wouldn’t repeat this entire conversation to Tansy, he was worried. “I mean it about Tansy.”
