Page 45 of Wish You Faith

“Well, the main building is fully occupied,” Rosie explained. “SSLR is planning to buy the apartment complex across the street from it and renovate it, and they are raising funds. It’s a slow process. Nothing else is available.”

Evan knew of one that was definitely available. Grandpa’s oceanfront condo might be perfect for Rosie’s mother.

“What about Founders Row?” There, he said it.

What would it take for Evan to get Mom to agree to let Sonya live in the condo for the rest of her potentially short life? How much rent would Mom ask for and what sort of deal would she want Evan to make?

For Rosie’s sake, he would consider the sacrifice.

“Are you kidding?” Rosie laughed. “SSLR considers Founders Row to be an annex, but the condos are privately owned. Each condo has conditions, such as minimum net worth requirements or connections to the family. They don’t just willy-nilly rent them out.”

“I see.” Evan had nothing more to say since that seemed to be a dead end, unless he could do something about it.

Rosie finished her cup of hot chocolate. She smacked her lips. “Mmmm… That was good because it’s sweet. I’ll pay for it tomorrow on the scale.”

“We’ll work it off when we walk to the car.” Evan wished he hadn’t suggested it. He didn’t want to give Rosie the idea that he wanted them to leave and part ways. “I don’t mean now. We can go anytime.”

“Want to walk by the river? Looks like the crowd has thinned out.” Rosie got up before Evan could reply. That was to say, she’d go for a walk by herself if Evan preferred to sit.

“We’ll lose our seats if we get up,” he protested. He wanted to sit here on the bench a little longer with Rosie.

“Exercise, didn’t you say?” Rosie laughed. She stuffed a paper napkin into her mug to dry up the last drops of hot chocolate at the bottom, but her pockets were too small to hold the mug.

“Gimme.” Evan’s two jacket pockets were bigger, and he stuffed one mug in each.

It was closing in on ten o’clock, but the night was pleasant. Evan didn’t mind the nippy air. He could hear the gentle sloshing of the river. In the distance, the Talmadge Memorial Bridge lit up, and so did Hutchinson Island across the river.

Wind blew Rosie’s hair all about, so she tied it up into a bun on top of her head with a hair tie she found in her crossbody purse—which was really inside her jacket. She had hung it over her sweater and then wore the jacket on top. That was a good way to deter pickpockets in such touristy places as this one.

“It’s getting colder, even with the hot chocolate,” Rosie said. “Want your scarf back?”

“No need. I’ll just stand behind you. You can be my windbreaker.” Evan tried to hide behind Rosie, but he was almost a head taller than she was. He was so close to Rosie that he could literally put his arms around Rosie’s waist—if she’d let him.

Rosie spun around. Didn’t say a word. It was as though she was waiting for him to speak.

Evan felt brave. “I could use a hug but I don’t know how to ask for it.”

“A hug? Just so happens that I do give free hugs in Sunday school.”

“Are you treating me like a third grader from your class?” Evan pretended to be horrified.

“No, no.” She slid her arms around his waist, but suddenly she stepped back and laughed out loud.

“What?”

“The two mugs are in your pockets, aren’t they?” She couldn’t stop laughing.

Rosie laughed. The same laugh that Evan wanted to hear every day for the rest of his life.

Wait. What?

“Do you still want a hug or not?” Rosie asked.

“Yes, of course.” Quickly, Evan removed the two ceramic mugs from his jacket pockets and put them on the ground next to the low concrete wall at the water’s edge.

“Now may I get my hug?” Evan stretched out his arms.

“Your reward for saving me this evening from a certain unwanted proposal.” She leaned against his chest.

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