“Ten points.” Becca acknowledged her word choice. “I’ve been really immature about this. I hate that. I’m just not good at conflict.”
“Bullshit. You’re fine when it comes to managing the store and customers. You handle Linda and her cronies with a kind of quiet defiance.”
Becca gave a small grin. “As opposed to your mouthy rebellion.”
“Yes, I’m straight-up small town mafia.”
“Huh. I must have picked up the mafia references from you.” She remembered saying something to Mitch about football mafia. And yes, it sounded just as silly coming from Nora.
“What?”
“Never mind. I appreciate the tough love. Now I need to go home, make sure I have another ‘where babies come from’ talk with Simon after Jenna leaves, and invite Mitch over for dinner. Do you mind missing out on chicken night?”
“No problem. I’m on a seafood kick anyway. But I’ll bring dinner over Tuesday night, okay?”
“Sounds good.” She hugged Nora goodbye, finished cleaning up, then walked home. Only to find Mitch waiting for her in the driveway.
******
Mitch had half expected Becca to pull away from him after Friday night. He wished he hadn’t been surprised, but having sprung the L-word on the poor woman so soon, what had he really thought she might do?
“Mitch, hi.” She smiled at him.
Hmm. She seemed pleased to see him.Thathe hadn’t expected. “Hey.”
She took two steps forward and kissed him full on the lips.
Well, hell. He hadn’t expected that either.
Before he could speak, she put a finger over his lips. “Sorry, but we need to talk out here. Simon and Jenna are in the house.”
He nodded.
She took her finger away. “I’m sorry I’ve been avoiding you. It was childish, and I won’t do it again.”
“Ah, okay.”
“It’s just… You’re wonderful, and it doesn’t seem real. You’re the first man after Neal that I—I mean, I feel so much for you, Mitch.” She cupped his cheek, and the cold no longer bothered him.
“I moved too fast.”
“Yes, you did. But I’m glad.” Her smile took his breath away.
“You are?”
“I won’t lie. You scare me. You’re sexy and smart. What’s to keep you from being with any of the other fine ladies in Hope’s Turn? I don’t know. I can only hope we’ll be together for a long time.”
Forever.Wisely, he kept that to himself. He’d have time to work up to that, he hoped.
“And then there’s Simon.”
“Yes, we’ve met.”
She sighed. “You know what I mean. I have a teenage boy to raise. He’s a handful.”
“He’s fine. You’re amazing. I’m the one who’s not all together.”
“You’ve got ideas, and you’re making things happen.”
