She hesitated for a moment. There would always be more work to do. She didn’t want working from home to mean she spent even more time working than if she was there in person. She closed her computer and stood.
“What are we going for?” she asked.
“You’ll see.”
She returned his smile. “Well, come on inside. I need to get dressed. I really took advantage of this whole working from home thing.”
“You look great the way you are,” he commented as he followed her inside.
“I’m not going out in public wearing sweatpants and a tank top. You must be crazy,” she said before she went upstairs to get dressed.
She figured since he was in his usual jeans and a t-shirt, wherever they were headed was casual, so she selected her favorite pair of jeans and a white blouse. The blouse would dress up her outfit if they ended up somewhere a little less casual. After taking a quick look in the mirror, she headed downstairs. She didn’t want to keep Andy waiting.
Andy’s lips curved into a smile when she came down the stairs. “You looked good before, but you look great now.”
“Flattery will get you nowhere. Where are we going anyway?”
“Antiquing,” he said with that one-dimpled smirk that won her over every time.
“Really? You just happened to be on your way to an antique store and thought I might want to tag along?”
“Well, I wouldn’t say I happened to be going. My mom bought a table and asked me to pick it up for her. And I know you wanted to add some things to the house…”
Samira closed and locked the door behind them. She was excited to be getting out of the house for something other than necessities. Hopefully, she could find some furniture for the deck while they were out. She could also use some decorations to make the house seem lived in.
“I’m excited,” she said once they were both in his truck.
“I thought you might be. The antique store isn’t my favorite place, but good company might help.”
They were quiet for most of the drive. Music was playing, and Samira was more than happy to sit back and enjoy the ride. She wasn’t sure which antique store they were going to, but it didn’t matter. She was happy to get some time away and have a chance to spend the afternoon with Andy.
She sat up straight when Andy pulled into the parking lot of an antique mall. She was expecting some small store where they would pick up his mother’s table and then be on their way after the short amount of time it took to look around. She looked at Andy to find him already smiling at her.
“Surprise,” he said before climbing out of the truck and walking around to open her door.
“I was expecting a small little store.”
“When my mother said the table was at the antique mall, I had to bring you along. I knew you would appreciate it more than Iwould,” he explained before taking her hand and leading her to the entrance.
Samira felt content once she walked inside. Shopping almost always helped her mood. Looking to her left and then to her right, she couldn’t decide which direction to go first. She wanted to see everything.
“So, what exactly do you need?” Andy asked.
“I’ll know it when I see it.”
She was surprised to hear him laugh. It was rare to get more than a chuckle out of him.
“That philosophy is great for the sellers, but probably not so great for your bank account.”
“The one thing I definitely need, I probably won’t find here. I need furniture for the deck. I’m sure most people know the house has been empty for a while, but I don’t want it to look empty. As far as antiques go, I would like a few pieces for the kitchen. Maybe an old pitcher for flowers. Some things to hang on the walls. Whatever calls out to me.”
“Whatever calls to you?” he repeated with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes. Sometimes you just don’t know what you need until you see it.”
“If you say so,” he teased. “Sounds like maybe you’re thinking of staying.”
She studied him for a moment before responding. He looked hopeful. She didn’t want to disappoint him, but she wouldn’t lie to him. The one thing she had been since returning to her hometown was honest.
