She nodded, her little chin set with determination. “First order of business is to have my name legally changed back to Robson.”

I wanted to high-five her so badly.

“Caro Robson, Lady Boss indeed,” I agreed.

She initially flushed but then I saw her blossom under the enthusiastic faith in her, and it was in that moment I realized I wouldn’t be there to see Caro open her business. To see her shine and grow and become a fabulous, independent woman.

That thought hurt more than I could have imagined.

•   •   •

The sun did not return to Alnster the next day, the rain continuing to fall but less heavily. The change from torrents to showers was enough to bring the tourists back. Caro had been out most of the day, busy with meetings with her adviser and such. She’d returned just as I was closing up shop, and the sweetheart made dinner for us both.

Roane had texted me during the day to ask me to join him at the pub that evening, and I promised to do so. It was that promise that prevented me from diving into bed early. I was strangely exhausted for what hadn’t been a very busy day, and could only suppose it was the dreary weather.

But I wanted to see Roane. We hadn’t spoken much since the weekend, and I missed him.

It was ludicrous to miss someone I’d seen only days before, but it was also true.

After shooting Greer a reply to her latest email, I changed my sweater but not my skinny jeans. Caro wasn’t in the mood to socialize and had opted to stay home and read, so I found myself heading up to The Anchor around eight o’clock by myself. Thankfully, it had finally stopped raining. The wet cobbles gleamed under the old-fashioned streetlights as I approached the pub, and I couldn’t help but take a photo of the square that made up the main hub of Main Street.

Despite being too early for sunset, the sky was purple from a day of rainfall, and the lights, shadows, stone buildings, and those wrought-iron lamps made a great atmospheric shot for my Instagram.

The pub wasn’t packed but it was still busy with diners as I stepped inside. My eyes immediately sought out the table by the fireplace, and sure enough, there was Roane, sitting and talking with Bobby. I knew Shadow would be at their feet.

Roane was laughing at something Bobby said, his white teeth flashing against his dark beard and tan skin. One large hand rested on the table while his other clutched a pint of lager. I knew every scar and callus on those hands, because like his mouth, those hands drew far too much of my attention.

When I thought of the future, as I had yesterday sitting with Caro and Viola, it left me breathless.