Page 107 of One Small Spark
Fran: Would be a whole lot better if we could see some romance, too
Fran: But alas
Fran: We are thwarted at every turn
Isabel: Perhaps we should come up with more activities for us in between meetings
Barb: If dinner at a nice restaurant didn’t work, I don’t know what will
Fran: Dancing could help
Nora: The couple in the book went two-stepping
Nora: It seemed pretty romantic when they did it
Nora: Does anyone know where we can go country dancing?
Barb: I will not be dancing
Ada: It’s not a bad suggestion, though
Rosetta: I vote for a paint night
Isabel: That’s not very romantic
Fran: Anything can be romantic if you’re with the right person
Fran: [crying emoji]
Nora: I don’t think that’s what you meant
Rosetta: Does it have to be a romantic activity?
Nora: It does if we’re trying to get you know who together
Ada: Ladies!
Ada: Let’s focus on book group, please
Wren: Who are we trying to get together?
Ada: The couple in the book, of course
Shepherd: Are we taking credit for that?
Isabel: It’s like we’re part of the story, isn’t it?
Barb: My knees are too stiff for dancing
THIRTY
WREN
Naturally,I’m the last to show up to book club. I’ve got two pies with me because I’m feeling generous today—a pear and a cranberry silk. And, truth be told, I’m feeling more than a little mushy. It’s a weird sensation. I’m not used to all the softness. Possibly still fighting it. The problem with turning to mush is that it spreads. Everything brings a dopey smile to my face. When a yacht rock song comes on the easy-listening channel in the bakery. When someone rides past on a bicycle. When I see any kind of bird, no matter the context.
When I see my nemesis-turned-hot-springs-guide standing in Ada’s kitchen, and I want to run over to him, jump into his arms, and smooch him so hard the ladies all faint.
Shepherd looks really, really good today. Not all that unusual, let’s be real. I might have once been deluded about him being a jerk, but I was never confused about how attractive he is. His green flannel shirt is pre-rolled to the elbows, forearm tattoos on display. His hair is especially messy, and I’m here for it. But it’s his eyes that make me need to double check that my feet arestill on the floor.
