The week passed with little to no drama. Life slid back into the norm for Rose and she pushed the encounter from her mind, trying to focus on just getting on as before. She began work on her new commission, which took most of her days lost in her imagination. Paint flowing onto paper and locked away from everyone. Abby came by and never mentioned anything about Rob or the dance again. Not that she needed too, and Rose quelled every urge to do so herself, in a bid to get her childish crush under control.

Rob had kept his distance and even in passing, a small polite smile, which...