Page 43 of Return to Rosewood Beach

“Hey. You—you look really nice.”

She laughed and looked down at her clothes. “I haven’t dressed like this in years. I don’t normally do fun and casual things like this. You’re making me feel like I’m in some old-time movie, getting picked up by my date for a night on the town.”

He laughed. He liked hearing himself described at her date. “Well, I hope we have an evening worthy of the silver screen. May I offer you my arm?”

She laughed and linked her arm through his as they walked down the front path to his car. His heart felt warm and buoyant, and he realized that he was falling for her more and more.

It was a short drive to the bowling alley. They bought a pizza and some soft drinks at the food counter, and then went to get the equipment they needed. He chose a plain black bowling ball, and she chose a sparkling purple one.

“I’m pretty sure I used this one in high school,” she said, laughing as they returned to their spot, wearing their bowling shoes and carrying their bowling balls. “No matter how old I get, I can’t resist that feminine urge to hold something sparkly.”

He laughed, and they started their game together. She was competitive in a fun way, always assuring him she was going to beat him. They were both fairly good bowlers, so it was a close game, which made it even more enjoyable. They played slowly, eating their pizza and taking sips of their drinks as they played.

Julia won their first game, and the gleeful dance of victory she did made Cooper almost double over with laughter. He hadn’t expected her to be someone with such a fun side to her.

“So,” she said, sitting down at the table and picking up another slice of pizza. “Tell me about yourself, Cooper Harris. Where did you learn to be actually decent bowling competition for me?”

He chuckled and sat down across from her, taking another slice as well. “I don’t know—I guess I’ve gone bowling a fair amount in my life. It was something my friends and I used to do in high school too.”

She nodded, munching on her pizza and smiling at him. “What were you like in high school?”

He shook his head. “I have no idea. The same, but skinnier?” He laughed.

She laughed too. “No, I mean, like—what were your interests? Like, what was your favorite band?”

He didn’t have to think about it, he knew the answer right away. “The Barn Rollers. I listened to them all the time. I still do.”

She stared at him for a couple of seconds, and then she let out a giggle.

“What?” he protested, starting to laugh too. “They’re a great band.”

“Sure, if you like that kind of music.”

“You don’t like country music?”

“Do I look like I live in Texas?”

He shook his head, laughing harder. “Oh, come on. I love country music. It’s got soul and emotion and it talks about real people living good lives. What other music genre does that as well?”

She shrugged. “I guess you’ve got a point there. I don’t listen to country music, so I couldn’t tell you how good for the soul it is.”

“Oh, we’ll have to change that at some point. I’ll have to get you to like it.”

“Mmm.” She shook her head dubiously, laughing.

“Just wait until you see a live country music concert. Concerts are the best way to experience music, I think. There’s so much sound and excitement everywhere. All the people around you are singing along, and… it’s like the full experience.”

She was gazing at him with warmth in her eyes, and he felt as though the tips of his ears were turning slightly pink.

“Was going to see The Barn Rollers your favorite concert?” she asked, smiling at him.

He shook his head. “Actually, I’ve never seen them in concert. I’ve always wanted to. It’s on my bucket list for sure.”

They started another game, and this time it was even closer. He was still enjoying himself immensely, but he found himself starting to worry about Macey. He hadn’t gotten any calls or texts from Callie, but rather than reassure him, that made him nervous. He wished he’d asked the teenager to regularly send him updates, letting him know how everything was going. He hated the idea of Macey being at home and sad without him.

“Cooper?”

He turned to Julia and saw that she was smiling at him.

---