“Really? It would make me so happy.” She sighed. “Well, there’s one thing. . . .” “Please tell me.” Marie raised her eyes from the sink. “But you couldn’t let it slip to anyone. Mary and Lucy would never let me live it down.” I creased my forehead. “What do you mean?” “It’s . . . it’s very personal.” She started fidgeting with her hands, something she never did, and I knew this was important to her. “Okay, come talk to me about it,” I encouraged, wrapping my good arm around her shoulder and ushering her to the table to sit with me. She crossed her ankles and put her hands in her lap. “See, it’s just that you get along with him so well. He seems to think so highly of you.” “You mean Kaden?” “No,” she whispered, a wild blush filling her cheeks. “I don’t understand.” She took a dee

