Oh.
“Oh, that’s... that’s lovely, thank you! I’m not sure about Deacon, though I can ask him. We’re both short on time this week, between his work and mine here at the store, plus I have these two little monsters,” I said, trying to put Bright back in the pouch.
“I can look after them,” Ro said.
“I can’t expect you to,” I told her. “You already do enough for me.”
“Nonsense,” she said with a wave of her hand. “You need this, Win. Ask Deacon to go with you. Stop trying to limit yourself so considerably. You like him. He likes you. I know you’re worried about overwhelming him, but sometimes you just have to jump in with both feet. Have a little faith in the universe.”
“The universe?”
She sighed as if she was all out of patience and I knew a truth bomb was about to drop. “If you’re already trying to censor yourself and what you want—like having dinner with friends—because of a guy, then he’s not the one foryou. It’s okay if he doesn’t want to join you, that’s perfectly fine. But it’s also perfectly fine for you to go without him and not feel bad about it. You’re still at the getting-to-know-him stage which means he needs to learn what to expect from you, too. All this walking around on eggshells and overthinking everything when it comes to him isn’t fair to either of you. Be honest with him and ask him; his answer might surprise you.Hemight surprise you. He’s a grown man. He can make his own decisions.”
Right, then.
I looked at Gunter. He was trying not to smile. “So there you have it,” I said. “Reality check 101. I’m seeing Deacon today, hopefully. I’ll ask him then.”
Gunter clapped my shoulder. “Good. I’ll let you know details. It won’t be all of us. Maybe six or so? It could be a good icebreaker for Deacon.” Just then, customers came in, and Gunter gave me a nod. “I better let you go. Have a good day.”
“Same to you,” I said, and he went on his way. I turned my attention to the customers, to the store, to the inventory, to the ringing phone, to more customers who were all absolutely besotted with my baby carrier and the world’s two cutest kittens.
It was a good distraction. It kept me focused and busy. Pretty much for the rest of the morning, it kept my mind off Deacon.
Ro was right. She always was.
My idea of micro-dating until Deacon was more comfortable might have been well-intended, but perhaps entirely misguided. Because what if I wanted more than that? What if he did?
In my attempt to be over-considerate toward him, I hadn’t considered him at all.
The truth was, if things with Deacon and me wereheading in the direction I hoped they were, then we needed to talk about expectations and boundaries.
Yep. We needed to talk.
Time got away from me,as it did when busy, but I was stopped in my tracks when the bell above the door chimed at 11:50 a.m., and when I turned to greet the customer, I saw who it was.
Deacon, holding two white paper bags and a takeout tray with two cups. He was wearing jeans and a winter coat and beanie, his cheeks and nose pink in the cutest way ever. He was smiling and a little breathless.
“Oh hi,” I said, my voice quieter and breathier than I’d intended.
“Hello. I’m early. I was, according to my father, insufferable and not entirely useful this morning, so he sent me on my lunch break early.” He swallowed hard, his gaze lasered to mine, intense, and it made my heart stutter. “If that’s okay... I should have messaged beforehand.”
“No, it’s fine,” I said, walking over to him. I put my hand out, wanting so badly to touch him, but stopped myself, pulling back just shy of contact. “Come in. Are you warm? It’s cold out today.”
“I’m okay. I walked fast from the diner. I bought you a toasted sandwich and a hot chocolate. I took a guess. I should have asked. But I ordered a ham and cheese, and a chicken and cheese. I’ll have whichever one you don’t want.” He licked his lips, frowning. “Or I can go back and get you something else.”
“I eat either of those,” I said, smiling at just how stinking cute he was. “Thank you so much. It’s very thoughtful.”
He gave a nod, his cheeks pinker now. So, not from the cold?
Ro came over holding my jacket and gloves. “Go, have lunch. The boys are asleep. I’ll hold the fort here.” She shooed me off. “Go on. Go.” Then she looked at Deacon. “Thank you for looking after him.”
He gave her a nod and looked away nervously. “It’s my pleasure,” he mumbled.
Oh my god.
His manners. So freaking polite. I just wanted to squeeze him. Which, of course, I couldn’t.
Ro gave me a look that told me she thought he was adorable, and I wanted to let out a squeeeeee but didn’t do that either. I’d totally freak out with her later...
