Page 76 of All That Glitters

“That would be great.”

“Don’t let me forget to get my agenda book out before you leave, and we’ll put something on the schedule,” she says, then lets me go and wraps Jameson in a hug next.

Anxiety pricks at the back of my mind. Rose likes to spend the entire day together when we do these things. Can I afford to lose a whole day? I start to wring my hands, then stop when Jameson and Rose break apart. I don’t want to offend Rose by turning her down after being away for so long, but most days it feels like I don’t even have my head above water. It’s like I’m breathing out of a straw, and the waves are threatening to undo even that.

Dating Jameson hasn’t added too much to my plate, because we see each other in class, at the paper, at his games, and more. Our dates so far have involved studying. There’s kissing too, of course … but still. I doubt his mom is going to be okay with me breaking out my literature anthology at lunch.

“Rosie, how long are you going to fuss over them on the porch?” Jameson’s dad, Stan, calls out. “I’m hungry.”

Rose rolls her eyes. “I guess we should get inside. Your dad skipped lunch to have extra room for dinner. Ridiculous man.”

Jameson grabs my hand as we start to head inside. Rose’s smile somehow grows even bigger.

“Oh, my heart might burst at the sight of you two together. I knew the Lord was listening!”

My brows shoot up. This whole time she was praying for us to get together? We follow her inside and I glance up at Jameson. He shrugs.

“Don’t look at me. I’ve never heard one of those prayers. I didn’t mention feelings for you until I told her we were dating yesterday.”

I shake my head in disbelief. I’ve been worried about this changing everything, and it has in a way, but maybe that change is good.

Chapter thirty-six

Headstrong Girl

Jameson Sinclair

I catch Marigold’s eyes across the dinner table. She beams at me, and it sends a jolt of warmth through my chest. This is the most relaxed she’s been since I forced her to rest. And I’m not sure that she was so much relaxed then as she was just exhausted. Throughout the course of my life I’ve been hit with waves of gratitude for my parents, and tonight is one of those times. They’ve welcomed Marigold in with open arms. She’s eaten two plates of food, and if I know my mom, dessert is on the way. There’s been almost nonstop laughter as we walked down memory lane together.

My mom wipes a stray tear from beneath her eyes. Dad just got done reminding everyone of the time Marigold and I climbed a tree in the park as kids and got stuck. Well, Marigold was stuck. I was there for moral support.

“You were like little kittens mewing from the treetops,” Mom says with a happy sigh.

My dad shakes his head. “More like feral squirrels. I only found them because they were throwing acorns at everyone who passed by.”

That sends us all laughing again. I’m not even sure what’s funny anymore. I think most of our laughter has come from simply being happy.

“Jameson, will you come help me get the dessert?” my mom asks after we calm down.

Marigold starts to stand. “I can help.”

Mom shakes her head. “No, little flower, you stay put. We’ll be right back.”

Marigold shrugs and sits back down. I follow my mom into the kitchen. She uncovers a pan of brownies on the kitchen island.

“Will you cut those for me while I get out the ice cream?” she asks, and I nod.

I pull a knife out of the same drawer it’s been in since I was a kid. As soon as I make the first slice, my mom speaks.

“What’s going on with Marigold?”

I frown. “What do you mean?”

“Her dark circles are showing through her makeup, and she looks much thinner than the last time I saw her.” Mom raises her hands. “Now, if she decided to lose weight, that’s her business, but I’m just a little worried about her.”

“She’s been a little … overwhelmed with school,” I say quietly.

Mom sets the ice cream carton on the counter beside a stack of bowls.