Page 36 of Wish You Faith

Evan wondered if Rosie wasn’t interested in walking around a mall and shopping. “As you can see, I’m winging Plan B. I thought we’d be skating all evening.”

“You were, not me,” Rosie said. “I had no plans whatsoever to get on the ice.”

“I would stay with you on and off the ice.”

“I was going to leave at eight o’clock anyway. I only went this evening because I told my Sunday school class that I would.”

“Oh.” Disappointment washed over Evan.

“But...”

“But what?” Evan perked up.

She didn’t say anything. Evan sensed that she was waiting for him to make a suggestion. That made him feel brave.

“Maybe we could get some hot chocolate and desserts.” Evan wished he’d been more prepared with ideas for their unexpected evening together, but he had really thought they’d be at the ice rink for a while.

“Well, twenty minutes from here is Piper’s Place on River Street,” Rosie said. “They’re open twenty-four-seven except on Sundays.”

“Do they have good desserts?”

“I hear they do, but I’m on a diet. I don’t drink coffee after four o’clock, but I’ll go with you for some hot chocolate—although it does have caffeine.” She paused. “Maybe I’ll just have mineral water.”

“Get whatever you want. I’ll pay.”

“Uh… No need. I think we should just go Dutch, just in case I want a cupcake. Piper’s Place is known for its cupcakes.”

“A cupcake diet?” Evan chuckled at how quickly Rosie switched from no desserts to desserts in minutes.

“Another struggle in life, I tell you.”

“Maybe we can split a cupcake. That would help, wouldn’t it?” Evan suggested.

“Why am I even thinking of cupcakes? Maybe I shouldn’t go to Piper’s Place at all.”

“I’m sure they have fruit cups,” Evan said.

“Okay.”

“Good.” Evan tried to think of the positive side of the matter. Rosie had agreed to go get hot chocolate with him. That was a step forward, wasn’t it?

Rosie opened the passenger door. “Do you want to meet there or…?”

“How about we drop off your car at your house and carpool?” Evan didn’t want to give her a chance to change her mind once they reached her house. Or risk the opportunity that they’d get separated on River Street.

“That’s what I wanted to suggest, but I didn’t want to be too forward.”

“Not at all. I’d rather you speak your mind.”

“Downtown parking will be a nightmare since it’s Friday night at the river.” Her eyes widened. “Oooh. It’s Friday night. I almost forgot. There’s fireworks by the river.”

“Good deal. Let’s go see the fireworks.”

“All right. Let’s do it. I haven’t been to the promenade at night in a long time. I prefer not to go alone at night, and even with Mom, I feel that I can’t protect her enough.”

“I’m here. I’ll protect you.”

Rosie stared at him, as if wondering if he was just saying it perfunctorily.

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