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“It might work out or it won’t,” Mickey said, matter-of-factly. “But isn’t it worth finding out? Don’t even get me started on how long it’s been since you had a date.”

I groaned and shook my head.

“You can make that noise all you want but I stand by what I said about it being worth finding out.”

I gazed out the window again, watching a couple stroll by hand in hand. My heart skipped a beat, imagining Ethan’s fingers intertwined with mine.

Sighing, I gave in to the idea. “Maybe.”

We finished lunch, chatting about the upcoming film screenings and what we hoped to see.

“Thanks for listening and for the advice,” I said as we got up.

Mickey pulled me into a quick hug. “Anytime. Just promise me one thing?”

“What’s that?”

“Don’t hold back from exploring what might be. It’s cliché but true that life’s too short for what-ifs and maybes.”

I nodded, determination swelling in my chest. “I’ll try.”

On the way back to the library, my mind raced. The festival was days away, bringing countless opportunities to be near Ethan. So many maybes ran through my mind.

There might be a spark there. Could I let myself be open to where it might lead?

If nothing else, perhaps we could actually become friends like we were with so many others in town. But deep down, I had to admit that a part of me hoped for more.

NINE

ETHAN

My living room looked like a box fort construction site. We were gathering what I needed to start living at my new place. Once the festival was over, I’d get everything else moved.

Liam and Mickey had come over after camp, with Tommy and Milo pitching in to speed up the packing.

“Hey, E,” Liam called from the kitchen. “Which mugs besides the Bears one?”

I’d already set aside the Bears hockey mug, my constant companion since age ten. I’d played for the Cubs, and then the Bears, through school. I was so proud when I’d bought that mug with my own money at a team fundraiser. “Pack four extras for now. Actually, four of all the dishes can come with me. I want to leave some kitchen stuff for the streamers.”

Mickey emerged from my bedroom, arms full of clothes. “For a guy who’s not here much, you’ve got a lot of clothes in there.”

“Should we check out your closet next?” I teased.

Laughter drew my attention to Tommy and Milo across the room. Tommy was talking and partially signing to Milo, who responded with an enthusiastic nod and grin. Tommy’s family, no doubt with encouragement from their son, had become Milo’s billet family and that had only added to their connection.

“Those two have become quite the duo,” Liam said as he joined me.

“Yeah. One of the fastest friendships I’ve ever seen. Tommy’s even learning sign, which is so cool.”

“I wonder if there might be something more there.” He’d lowered his voice so they wouldn’t hear.

Tommy playfully bumped Milo’s shoulder before they grabbed up boxes to take to the truck.

“Young love, perhaps?” Mickey dramatically clasped his hands over his heart as he joined us. “Remember when we were that age?”

I rolled my eyes. “And how terrifying declaring feelings was? Yes.”

My current feelings for Andre illustrated that the terror hadn’t faded with age. Asking him out seemed impossible. Why would he even want that?