Page 21 of We Can Forever

“That would be nice.” My gaze drifts to the living room window, where the pine trees at the edge of the yard drift slightly in the wind.

If I hurry up and submit that application for funding, then yes, maybe I will have someone to cover for me next year, even if Knit Happens still isn’t making enough to hire a full-time employee.

“Wow, can you imagine life one year from now?” Flick drops her head back and gazes at the ceiling. “Maybe you and Michael will be married.”

“Oh my God, Flick!” My face is flaming, but I’m also laughing. “Come on. We’ve been on one date.”

“One point five. Today was a half date.”

“That doesn’t mean we’re getting married.” I roll my eyes, and she playfully jabs me with her elbow.

What Flick’s suggesting is nothing but a fantasy…right now. Of course I would love to settle down with someone, especially a man as handsome and confident as Michael.

But will it be him?

I have no way of knowing. Although I do everything I can to make each day special, when it comes down to it, I’m just a passenger on this crazy ride called life. Even though there have been ups and downs—and more downs than ups the last five years—it genuinely seems that things are getting better.

So, who knows? Maybe one year from now, I’ll be in a place that’s even better than I ever could have imagined.

And maybe there will be a hunky guy by my side.

A hunky, hazel-eyed fire chief guy.

Chapter Eight

MICHAEL

“Hey!”

I freeze, about to unlock my truck, and turn toward the familiar voice. Nathan jogs along the sidewalk with a huge grin on his face.

“You’re going to leave without thanking me?” He claps me on the shoulder.

“Thank you. I really appreciate you taking care of Hannah’s bumper.”

He guffaws. “No, man. I’m talking about setting the two of you up. Sending you out on a coffee date.”

“Thank you for that too.” I lean against my truck and cross my ankles. “Though, I hate to break it to you—we already went on one date.”

“You did? How the hell didn’t I hear about this?”

I shrug. “I guess you don’t listen much to island gossip.”

“Huh. Remind me not to change that.” He steps off the curb as a woman with a baby stroller goes by. “So, how did it go?”

I cringe. “I had to leave early. Got a call from the station. We are going out again, though.”

Just saying it makes something flutter through my chest. It’s such a weird sensation, but not unwelcome—just something I’m unused to.

“Eh. She must not hold it against you if she said yes to another date. So, where are you taking her? I have some ideas.”

“Dude.” I run my hands through my hair. “You sound like Jenny.”

“I’m just looking out for you. You need to get back out there, or else you’ll turn into one of those weird guys who doesn’t know how to talk to women.”

“Okay, now you sound like Katie. She basically said the same thing, except in a kinder way.”

“The kid is smart.”

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