Just as the sun was setting, the phone rang.

  Myriam answered, recognizing the voice instantly.

  “Veronica,” she said, half-smiling. “You know, I usually know exactly who you want to talk to.”

  “It’s still the same,” Veronica replied. “I want to give Shoshana a heads up.”

  “What’s going on?” Myriam asked, curious now.

  “Thomas has fans.”

  “Fans?” Myriam raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean he has fans?”

  “The cricket game was a hit. I don’t mean it was just nice. My dad knew something was up when he and Eric were peppered with questions about when Thomas would be back.”

  “That does sound like good news. I’ll go get Shoshana.”

  Shoshana picked up the receiver, curious. “Hey, Veronica. What’s up?”

  “Did Thomas tell you about the cricket game he helped organize?”

  “Actually, no. I don’t even know what a cricket game is.”

  Veronica laughed. “Two weeks ago, a man came into the bookstore looking for a book on cricket. Said he wanted to teach his sons. Not only did Thomas find him the books, but he also worked with Jonathan to get the youth group involved—and got the lodge to support it. It turned into this whole event. The man was so grateful he gave us a traditional Hindu blessing.”

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  “Wow,” Shoshana said, genuinely surprised. “And he still came here to see me.” She paused. “Can I ask you something? When you and Mark were still together… would he have come to see you if he knew he wouldn’t even be allowed to hug you?”

  Veronica hesitated. “That’s a hard question. Mark and I were never in the kind of situation you and Tom are in. Are you telling me that in the last 24 hours, you two haven’t even touched once? Not even brushed up against each other?”

  “Not once,” Shoshana said with a soft smile. “And honestly? It’s been kind of exciting.”

  “Exciting?” Veronica repeated. “I really don’t think I get it.”

  “It’s like the opposite of what you’d expect,” Shoshana explained. “And with our condition, it actually works. It’s like… the proof is in the restraint.”

  “Keep that to yourself,” Veronica said. “I think that would be too hard for me.”

  “I didn’t say it was easy,” Shoshana replied. “I said in its own way, it was exciting. Lucky for us, that won’t be the case at Thanksgiving.”

  “So you’re looking forward to kissing and holding hands again?”

  “Oh yeeees,” Shoshana laughed.

  They both laughed together.

  “I was telling your mom—I think the cricket game gave Thomas fans.”

  “Keep an eye on him, will you?” Shoshana said, teasing.

  Veronica smirked. “The only one hugging and kissing him will be me… if I can help it. Does that make you jealous?”

  “In an odd way… no,” Shoshana said, then paused. “Let me explain. It was always going to be one of us. And in a strange way, I feel like I already have a commitment from him. But he didn’t exactly choose you—I brought you into his life. If I lose him to you, I won’t be happy, but I’ll understand. And honestly, I like what I see when he comes back from spending time with you. He seems more confident with me.”

  “So… can I give him a hug and kiss after this weekend?”

  “He’s been starved all weekend,” Shoshana grinned. “You better. You know how great he is. I know how great he is. Our advantage?” She lowered her voice conspiratorially. “He doesn’t.”