“It’s like four dollars for a dollar fifty bottle of water. Tap water most likely.”

“Life’s full of little tragedies.”

He snorted and gave her a grumpy face when she started to pull out money. “What? Let me pay for the snacks. You paid for dinner and the tickets.”

“We talked about this already.” He paid and she allowed it so they could move away from the counter, and when they finally got settled and she helped herself to some popcorn, she was back on the topic.

“The thing is, we didn’t talk about this at all. You went all he-man and declared the person inviting pays, but you won’t let me pay then either. It’s silly not to let me pay for stuff.”

“You just relocated and gave up a way better paying job to move here. I didn’t.”

“Well that’s dumb. Not even credibly connected to this situation. This isn’t a vacation to a luxury resort in the Bahamas.”

He sighed. “If I agree will you let it go?”

“If by letting it go you mean will I win graciously and not crow about it? Yes I’ll let it go that way.”

He kissed her quick and hard.

“It’s a good thing I find independence sexy.”

“Only because I also have a really good sense of humor.”

She leaned her head against his shoulder as they shared popcorn. Then a bunch of people came in, including Beth Murphy and her fiancé, Joe, and a woman Caroline bet was Lily Murphy holding hands with Nathan Murphy.

They saw him and waved, making their way over.

“I should have asked you first. Sorry about that,” he said quietly.

“I’m just going to say I’m not the source of that particular problem, Royal. You know who is though, so take it up with her.”

“You’re right. Okay? You’re right.”

She smiled at everyone as they approached before she said to Royal, “Of course I’m right.”

They had to stop at her place for a few minutes after the movie and were on the road back to his place shortly after that.

“I have flourless chocolate cake, chocolate, chocolate chip ice cream and those salted caramels you love.”

“Wow. You should step on it. I may have to eat it when you’re having your way with me.”

Laughing, he pulled into the garage and they went into the house that way. She put her stuff down and allowed him to pull her into the bedroom.

He flipped on the light. “Goddamn, I need to see you naked.”

That’s when Caroline realized they weren’t alone.

Anne Murphy was in Royal’s bed.

Naked.

“What the f**k are you doing, Anne?” Royal asked.

A very good question and one Caroline intended to ask. Caroline turned to face Royal, placing her hand on his chest. “You need to go.”

He started and then shook his head. “Let—”

“Get out, Royal.” Caroline cut him off before he could say anything else. Firmly, she pushed him from the room and into the hallway.

“Sweetheart,” Royal said in that sweet cajoling tone he often used to get her naked.

Caroline held up a hand for a moment to stay him. “Don’t. Right here and right now, what’s it going to be? Is this a Royal and Caroline type thing or are you going back to her? I need to know.”

“You. Fuck. I choose you. Over and over. She’ll get dressed, and I’ll walk her to her car and get this straightened out.”

Caroline stepped back into the bedroom. “Oh, yes, this will get straightened out. But I’ll be doing the straightening. If you come into this room before I say come in, I will walk out of here and out on you. This has gone on too long. It needs to be clear.”

He nodded. “All right.”

She turned back, kicking the door closed and taking in Anne, who was quickly getting dressed.

Anne kept her head down, her hair covering her face. “I’m sorry. Jesus. I knew this was a mistake. I knew it before I came over here.”

Caroline leaned back, blocking Anne’s only exit from the room.

“If you knew it was a mistake, why are you in my boyfriend’s bed naked?”

“I was here long before you were.”

“Yeah, and you were gone long before I was here too. Don’t you have any pride?”

“What the heck are you talking about?”

“You’ve been a dreadful bitch the whole time I’ve been back in town and dating Royal. I get it. He’s awesome. Smart and handsome. Funny. Sexy. He opens doors and uses his manners and brings me coffee in the morning because he wants to take care of me. I get it. You don’t have that in your life and it sucks. I got it. It sucks because you had him. He loved you and wanted forever from you, and you didn’t want that back. To your credit though, you were finally honest and put your foot down and let go so he could find what he wanted and needed with someone who wanted those things too. Not you, if you recall.”

Anne zipped her pants up and sat to put her socks on. “You’re mad and you should be. He’s with you. I knew it was a bad idea before I even came over here.”

“So why did you? He’s gone. You let him go. You can’t undo that.”

“Why not?”

Caroline huffed. “A few reasons. To start with, because I’m not going to let you, silly. Royal is a fantastic catch. But he’s mine. You know it too. He’s moved on. Which is another big one. Like before I’d even come to town.” Caroline raised a shoulder. “Lastly, you don’t even want him.