He tried not to stare at her while she talked. Like the way her curls had escaped the silver clip in her hair, or the neutral shade of polish on her nails, or the fact her lipstick had worn off her lips and a bit of it clung to her beer glass.
Oblivious to his thoughts, she continued.“And I still keep adding to savings every paycheck I can. I’ve got to save for Emily’s college, too, though she’s hoping for some scholarships. She’s really smart and the top of her class. I’m hoping she gets scholarship money, too. That would really help. Though she’s worked hard and saved up all her work money toward college.”
“She seems like a really great kid.”
“She is…she’s…well, she’s the best. I’m lucky to be her mom.”
He wanted to ask about Emily’s father but didn’t. He looked across the table, half expecting Livy to say something about him. She just dunked another hushpuppy in the melted butter. The mind-reading connection must be broken.
They finished their meal and strolled along the wharf under the canopy of twinkling white lights and music spilling out from a music group in a large open area. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had such an enjoyable evening. She glanced up at him and smiled. His pulse quickened at the sight of her smile. He glanced down at her hand and wondered if he could take it in his. Too soon? Should he even be starting anything with her?
Jesse’s voice played over and over in his mind.Don’t mess with her. Just be…nice.
“Look at you two.”The Jenkins twins hurried up to them in purposeful strides.
“Hello, ladies.”He wasn’t sure which was which or who was who.
“I thought you two weren’t dating?”Twin One said.
He was fully willing to tell the ladies theyweredating, but he looked at Livy, wondering how she’d answer.
“We…we just had dinner at Jimmy’s.”
“Out to dinner qualifies as a date in my book,”Twin Two said.
“I agree with you one hundred percent.”He nodded soberly and turned to Livy.“So, I guess we should officially call this our first date. There’s no avoiding it.”
She quirked an eyebrow in surprise.“Really?”
“There you have it. Your first date.”Twin One…or was it Two…said.
“But we should go now. Nice seeing you two.”Livy tilted her head toward the long walkway.
He nodded.“Yes, we must run. Nice seeing you two ladies again.”He took Livy’s arm and her eyes widened.
They took a few steps, and she whispered,“What are you doing? You’re just feeding the gossip frenzy.”
“Ah, a little town gossip won’t hurt anything. They looked so pleased to be able to break the next big tidbit.”
She laughed.“You have no idea what you’ve started.”
No, he didn’t really have a clear idea of what he’d started. But he sure wanted to find out.
Chapter 9
Olivia walked arm in arm with Austin, with just one quick glance back at Jackie and Jillian. They were still watching, their heads close together, intent on talking to each other. Probably charting out the best way to spread the gossip.
Austin paused when they got to the beginning of the wharf.“So…can I walk you home?”
She considered her options. She didn’t mind walking home alone. She walked around alone at night all the time in Moonbeam. But she wouldn’t mind having the company, either. She glanced at her watch. She probably still had time before Emily came home.
“Uh…sure.”How was that for some resounding enthusiasm for his offer?She smiled to soften her weak response. Hopefully, Emily would still be out with her friends. Not that she cared if Emily knew she went to dinner with Austin, but she just wasn’t ready for the questions that were sure to be fired at her.
He shortened his stride to match hers as they slowly strolled toward her home, walking in and out of the lamplight. The night favored them with perfect weather with stars peeking out from the few clouds that drifted high above them.
“You know, you’re just going to have to walk all the way back across town to Jesse’s cottage.”She paused at a crossroad that would take Austin to Jesse’s.“This road is a shortcut to his house. I can make it home fine from here.”
“Nah, I don’t mind the extra walk to your house. It’s a nice night out.”He grinned and patted his stomach.“The exercise will do me good. I’ve been dining out on the town’s excellent cuisine ever since I got here.”
