Saylor frowned. “That’s not exactly how I’d put it, but yes.”

When I didn’t say anything, Saylor reached out and closed the book. “You seem distracted today.”

There was absolutely no humor in my laugh. “Kind of have a lot on my mind right now, Miss Saylor.”

“David told me there was an issue at Cotillion practice yesterday. Something with you and Mary Beth?”

A breeze swept through the open door of the sun porch, making the wind chimes ring softly, and even though I wasn’t that cold, I wrapped my arms around myself. “It wasn’t a big deal. But what was you not being there supposed to accomplish exactly?”

Leaning back in her chair, Saylor folded her arms. “Yesterday was actually another training lesson for you. I wanted to see how you did leading the girls by yourself.”

I snorted. “Oh, well, everyone turned on me and started snarking about my boyfriend and David, so that went super great.”

“What about David?” Saylor asked.

“Let’s just say it hasn’t escaped anyone’s notice that we’re spending a lot of time together, and people have the wrong idea, and . . . ” I trailed off. “Anyway, I can fix it.”

Before Saylor could reply, David suddenly appeared in the doorway, leaning his head out. “Say— Oh. Pres. Hi.”

“Hi,” I replied, turning all my attention back to my book. But he walked onto the sun porch, standing in front of me. “Is everything okay? After yesterday?”

I lifted my head then. David’s outfit today was another winner: a shrunken black V-neck sweater over a bright purple collared shirt, with blue and violet plaid pants. I didn’t even know where one purchased plaid pants. Still, looking at him, I smiled. Say what you would about David’s wardrobe—and I’d said a lot over the years—he was always a hundred percent committed to it.

“It was fine,” I told him. “I went over to Ryan’s and we worked things out, so . . . yeah, right as rain. Except for saving both of our lives and this entire town, of course.” I thumped the book in front of me.

David blinked a couple of times, the effect slightly owlish behind his glasses. “Oh, good. Not about us maybe dying, but you and Ryan. That’s . . . that’s good.”

“It is,” I said, rubbing my eyes. I felt like I hadn’t slept in years.

Silence fell and it lasted a second too long before David turned to Saylor and said, “Anyway, wanted to let you know I was home.”

“Anything to report?” Saylor asked, and even though I wasn’t looking at him, I knew David rolled his eyes.

“Nope. No one tried to kill me, I’ve had no bizarre visions of the future, and now I plan on making myself some pizza rolls. We good?”

“Go,” she said, waving a hand at him.