“No.” Andrew shook his head. He flipped his hand underneath hers so that their palms pressed together, and he wrapped his fingers around hers. “I didn’t mean that like it sounded. It felt good, to spend time with those kids and make them laugh. I want to do it again. But it was sad at the same time. You know? I don’t think I’ve been exposed to so much illness in a day before.” He looked like he wanted to say more, but he stopped. With his free hand he tugged at the hem of his beanie. “I’m happy to have the chance to spend time with you.”

She looked down, and he gave a gentle pull on her hand. When she looked up at him, the vulnerability mixed with affection in his gaze halted the breath in her throat.

Andrew took a shaky breath. “I know I shouldn’t say it, but I really like you, Lauren.”

She shook her head, but he kept going. “I know you don’t want to do anything about it right now. I do. I’m trying my best to hold back and respect you and the job you’re so good at, that you love. But I want you to know that I think you’re amazing. You’re funny and generous, and heart-stoppingly beautiful. So I’m giving you fair warning that when my treatment is over, this is happening.”

Oh, hell. She could feel the flush creep up her neck and consume her face, and she closed her eyes.

“This is happening,” he repeated.

She opened her eyes and nodded, agreeing wordlessly, before she slipped her hand away from his and placed it in her lap. She locked eyes with him.

“Just not yet,” was her soft reply.

“I can accept that,” Andrew said. “As long as I know there might be a future, I can be patient in the present.”

Lauren made the trip to Cedar Creek for the holidays. She’d promised to work Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas at her dad’s store, and she preferred to keep herself occupied when she was home. She also couldn’t wait to catch up with her childhood friends Kate and Samantha.

Plus, after the news about Kiki and Andrew’s declaration of intention toward her, it was nice to get away and take a break.

The good thing about her dad’s independent pharmacy was that he set his own hours, and the store closed at six. After getting things in order and locking up on the day after Christmas, Lauren made plans to meet her friends at their coffee shop. She pulled up at Ristretto Coffee House, a business they’d opened after college. As she walked in, she saw Kate behind the coffee bar and Samantha sitting on a stool at the counter. When Samantha noticed her, she jumped to the floor with an excited screech.

“Lauren!”