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“Aw, thanks, Jenny,” I said, touched at the thoughtfulness of the goodies and the to-go boxes.

A perfect nod to yesterday and the foods that paved our path to reconciliation.

“This is quite the breakfast feast.” Andre’s eyes lit up as he surveyed the spread that had taken over most of our table. “Though I might steal a bite of your bagel. That avocado combo is calling to me.”

“Only if I can get some of yours.” I cut my sandwich in half and offered it to him. “Trade?”

“Yes!”

He halved his and we exchanged. I appreciated the comfortable domesticity of sharing food. These simple moments were things I didn’t realize had been missing from my life.

After a few bites, Andre set down his sandwich and took a sip of coffee. “About this summer…”

I gave him my full attention.

“I’m going to read over all the Library Association materials again so I can go over all my questions with them,” he said, breaking off a piece of a croissant. “And there’s so much to do here before I’d go. The superhero-themed reading challenge starts next week and runs until Labor Day. The kids are already excited about earning capes and other goodies for meeting their reading goals. Plus we’re doing evening story times in the park this year.”

He paused, meeting my eyes with a slightly overwhelmed expression. “I need to transition my current duties. Plus I want to spend as much time with you as possible.”

“We can probably spend most evenings together, and most Sundays should be ours too.” I reached under the table to squeeze his knee since there was too much on the table to get to his hands. “And Seattle in the fall… well, that’s perfect timing, isn’t it?”

His eyebrows rose. “It is, yeah.”

“It’s going to make dating so much easier.” I broke off a piece of the croissant and washed it down with coffee.

“What’s your travel like during the season?” Andre asked.

I took an extra sip before answering. “Depending on the month, I could be away ten to fifteen days. The trips could be as short as a couple of days, but sometimes I can be gone for a week. And when I’m home, there’s practice and games. The team is great about issuing schedules so everyone knows exactly what to expect whether we’re in town or traveling. Any idea about your travel?”

“Not yet. Since the program’s new, they know there will be travel, but they don’t know what yet.” He took another bite of his bagel before he continued. “Do you think we could visit Seattle in the next couple of months if I accept? I want to see it through your eyes before I live there.”

“Absolutely.” Showing Andre around my second home would be so much fun. “I can figure out some time away from camp. Between reaching out to have more guest coaches here already and Ry and Bellamy being based here, it’ll work.”

He nodded enthusiastically. “Perfect. It can be part vacation, part fall planning.” He paused, a slight blush coloring his cheeks. “And see your place. Check to see if it’s big enough for two?”

My heart did a backflip. “You’d want that?”

“I know it’s fast,” he blurted out. “And we don’t have to decide right now. But the idea of coming home to each other…” He trailed off, uncertainty in his eyes. “If I’m honest, I’ve loved finishing the day with you on the deck, going to bed, and then starting the day together.”

“Yeah. It’s been great.” A shudder reverberated through me, and I wondered if Andre caught it. The happiness washing over me was nearly overwhelming. “We could take the summer to figure things out, see how we mesh together.”

“These next few weeks are going to be the best.” He raised his coffee in cheers before taking a long sip.

“Speaking of places to live.” I leaned forward. “Would you help me finish settling into the house?”

His face lit up. “I’d be thrilled to. I have some ideas already.”

“Of course you do.” I chuckled, remembering his comments on the small changes I’d already made. “What about having people over this week? Part housewarming, part festival celebration…”

“Part announcing us?” Andre finished with a grin.

“Exactly. Perfect time to celebrate with friends. How about Thursday night?”

“That sounds good, especially so we don’t have to give up our together time on Sunday.”

I glanced at my watch. “We should get going soon. I hadn’t realized the time. Liam’s probably wondering where his coffee is.”

We started putting our leftovers into the boxes. I’d be set for snacks later.