Later that night, I called Randi to hash out all the delicious details of my day. From the book signing to the concert that, yes, she could attend with me to the end-of-the-day I love you. We covered everything.

“Confession?” I asked toward the end of our conversation.

“Okay. Hit me.”

“When he first said ‘I love you,’ I panicked a little.”

She hesitated a beat or two before responding. “Like, for real panicked?”

“No. I mean, it only lasted a split second. He didn’t even realize anything was wrong. But in my head, I was freaking out.”

“You said I love you back, Lane. Did you not mean it?”

“I think I did. I do love him . . . I think.”

“You think. How compelling.”

I sighed and collapsed back onto my bed, stretching out full length. “I do love him. After today, especially. He orchestrated this incredible day, acknowledged parts of me I didn’t even know he’d noticed. It was a big deal.”

“Maybe that’s the part that’s freaking you out. Suddenly things seem really serious.”

“Maybe that’s it.”

“Don’t run from this guy, Lane.” Randi had on her bossy voice. “I know I haven’t met him, but he sounds really amazing. And he’s been so good to you. Thoughtful. In tune with you, and that’s saying something.”

“You know I spent a lot of time with his older brother?”

“Simon, right? He was helping you with money stuff at the inn.”

“Yeah. Granny thinks he has a thing for me.”

“Oh no, no, no, no. You are not thinking about your boyfriend’s older brother. You stop right now. Stop and run the other direction. Run hard and fast and far, far away from those feelings.”

“I don’t have feelings. All I said is that I spent time with him and maybe he has a thing for me.”

“Right. I’m sure you mentioned it because you haven’t felt even the tiniest of connections.”

“I haven’t felt a connection. I mean, maybe I did at first. But he has a girlfriend, so it absolutely doesn’t matter. Also, the last time we talked, he infuriated me and I insulted him. See? There are a lot of reasons for this to be a nonissue.”

“Then why did you mention it?”

I groaned. “Uggh. I don’t know. Maybe because it’s weird thinking there might be something there? I mean, how do I act the next time I’m around him?”

“Um, you act as if you don’t have the first clue. Because you don’t. You have your grandmother’s suggestion, which hardly makes a good case on its own. Plus, with all the inn stuff behind you, you shouldn’t have reason to ever see him.”

“He’ll be in Bristol when we all go up for Cooper’s missionary farewell. I can’t avoid being around him then.”