“Sounds great.” She sat up straighter in her seat and as he walked up to the counter, she turned in her seat. She noticed how great he looked in those jeans.
Sean walked to the counter and placed their order. As he was waiting, he looked at the bakery case. Banana bread was his favorite, so he got a slice of that as well as a pumpkin muffin, because well, it was fall, and he knew Common Grounds used local pumpkins.
He balanced the baked goods and their drinks in his arms and made his way back to the table. He let out a sigh of relief when he saw Nicole wasn’t on her phone. He hadn’t been on a ton of dates in the last couple of years, but he’d been on enough to know when someone was on their phones during the date, it wasn’t going well. With a little pep in his step, he returned to their table. He had a good feeling about this date.
***
NICOLE
Nicole stood up to help Sean put down the food and drinks.
“I thought I’d get us a snack to go with our drinks. I hope you like banana bread or pumpkin muffins.”
Nicole nodded vigorously. “Love them, and to be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever met a baked good I didn’t like.”
Sean chuckled, “My kind of girl.”
Nicole warmed at the thought of being his girl. Maybe Zaina was right; maybe it was time for her to live, or at least let someone new into her small life. She smiled as Sean sliced each of the treats in equal halves, then plated them and served her first, then himself.
“I feel so pampered," she said and then realized no date, no boyfriend, not even her ex-fiancé had plated food for her. Sure, it was a recycled paper plate and a compostable spork; nevertheless, she felt cared for in a way she hasn’t felt since she was a kid at her Grandma’s house. For a change, she allowed herself to feel the good feeling, being comfortable in this man’s presence.
His dimples popped as he smiled and raised his mug to hers, “To second chances.”
“To amazing charcuterie,” she said with mock seriousness.
“I’m so happy you enjoyed it,” he said, his chest puffed a little bit. She looked at his open collar, noticing a dusting of dark hair and the way the shirt accented his biceps. Either he did a lot of lifting at Jesse’s Pub—which she didn’t doubt—or he found time to go to the gym. She’d like to slide her hand up under his shirt and feel the muscles of his chest, and then move her hands slowly down, lightly brush one of his nipples —
“Well, what do you think?” He asked, drawing her out of her head and back into their conversation.
She panicked for a moment, unsure what he was talking about. He took a spork full of banana bread and placed it in his mouth.
“I think it’s pretty good, but I’d like it better if it had walnuts.” She held her breath, hoping she’d answered the right question.
He chewed, “I think you’re right." He hesitated then added, "Now that we’re here, I realize that for the last few years I’ve only gone on dates with people I’ve been messaging for a while before the date. I think I’ve forgotten how to do this whole,” he waved his spork, “first date thing. You're a totally blank canvas. I know nothing about you!"
Nicole smiled a little sadly. She thought to herself,What should I share? What will scare him away? Should I even be here?In her mind she could hear Devin say she doesn’t owe him anything at this point, and she is worthy of happiness.
“Here’s the thing,” she said, “It’s been a long time since I’ve gone on any dates.”
“No worries. We can figure this out together.”
Relief flooded Nicole; maybe she didn’t have to tell Sean all about Duncan leaving and the cancer. Not today, at least. It would be nice for one date to feel normal and not have to explain how she was broken.
“Wonderful,” said Nicole. “So we know where each of us works. I guess we can talk about family, or where are you from? You pick.”
Sean rubbed his scruff, “I moved to Marley Creek three years ago. I’m originally from Michigan, a few hours away from here in a town called Kalamazoo.
“How did you wind up here in Marley Creek?”
“I met Jasper Kane from Hop’s Heaven at a conference for concept taverns and pubs and we hit it off. He invited me to come out to Marley Creek and intern with him for the summer while he was opening Hop’s Heaven.” He leaned in, “Not to brag, but it was my idea to repurpose a railroad car for the outdoor space to house a second bar that was easy to open and close without being dependent on the weather.”
“Well done you!” Nicole leaned in and patted his shoulder. As she did, she noticed Sean’s eyes dip down to get a closer look at her cleavage. Normally, any guy looking at her chest made her self-conscious but in Sean’s case, it sent a thrill down her spine.
“After I’d been in Marley Creek for a few weeks, I knew I’d found my home. We’ve got the lake and the train, plus a downtown that is just one gazebo short of a Hallmark movie town.”
Nicole gasped. “You watch the Hallmark Channel?”
Sean raised his glass. “Is it even the holiday season without Hallmark?”
