“She has her ways,” I say, thinking back to some of the seemingly innocuous questions she’s asked me in the last few days. I’ve been played, and there will be words, even if I’ll also be thanking her. I wished I’d thought of champagne myself.
We order and talk easily until our food arrives—blackened catfish for myself and crab cakes for Holden.
“To us and our first date,” Holden says, raising his glass, and I join him.
“You think there’ll be others?” I tease.
“Well, I’m asking next, are you going to refuse?” He raises his chin in challenge.
“I couldn’t refuse anything you ask of me,” I reply, meaning every word.
He smiles and drops his eyes to his food. I watch him for a second and decide to tell him my news.
“I was due to return home next Friday, but I’ve cancelled my flight and I’m going to stay longer.”
“H-how much longer?” His tone is wary and I reach across the table for his hand.
“I don’t know yet. But let’s enjoy what time we have and see what happens?” I squeeze his hand.
“Yes, alright then.” He nods but still looks downcast. I guess he didn’t like the reminder that I don’t live here, but it’s far too early to talk about the future.
“I promise you we’ll have as much time as we need.” It’s vague but it brings his smile back. “So, this next date? When are you going to ask me?”
“How about now? W-will you go on a date with me?”
I pretend to think about it until he nudges me with his foot under the table.
“I’d love to go on a date with you. When and where?”
“Tuesday and my house. I want to cook for you.”
“I like the sound of that, apart from the waiting until Tuesday. That seems like a long time to me.”
“You’ll just have to exercise some patience.” He gives me a grin, as if he’s taking delight in making me wait, and I mock groan. The giggle he gives sounds like a freshwater stream and clears the air between us. We finish up our meal and I drive us back to his house.
“Would your neighbors mind if I kissed you here?”
“They wouldn’t care, and neither do I,” he replies and I lean over.
“Good,” I murmur against his lips. It’s a chaste kiss by our standards, but it’s not comfortable in the car.
“Is that it?” he says with a grin.
“Oh, there’ll be a lot more on Tuesday, you’ll just have to be patient until then,” I quip, though the real reason is that if I don’t stop now, then I won’t be able to.
“Okay, goodnight.” He gives me a lingering kiss as if he knows what effect it will have, and I almost cave in. Damn, I can’t not see him until Tuesday.
“I’ll bring you breakfast at work tomorrow,” I call as he climbs out of the car.
“I’d like that,” he says before turning toward his house. I watch until he’s gone inside, hovering in indecision. I told him I want us to get to know each other properly before being physical, and I mean it. Even so, it’s still several minutes before I manage to drive away.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Holden
I arrive at the store early on Saturday morning, mostly because I didn’t sleep well and at five a.m. I gave up completely. It started well, and the magic of the evening with Reece left me with a warm glow. I’ve had a few dates over the years, but that was easily the most romantic, even if his mom also had a hand in it. I don’t know how I feel about what Reece said his mom thinks of me. I’ve always just been polite to her and kept her at arms length because of Reece, so it’s surprising, but also, what she did was really touching. But in the deep of the night, the worries and the fears that hide in the darkest shadows managed to seep in through my restless thoughts. Mostly questioning what a gorgeous, successful, and super-smart guy like Reece could see in me, a shabby store owner who knits his own sweaters and never moved out of his home town.
My eyes are gritty, my head is full of cotton balls, and I feel rumpled when I open up the store. The strong coffee I choke down first helps a small amount, but nothing can quite shake theresidual uneasiness that’s settled in my stomach. Still, I manage to get several tasks completed before I open the store, and I’m busy with a flurry of early customers so I don’t notice the time passing. I know as soon as Reece enters the store, though. It’s as if I have an inner compass and he’s my north. All my senses orient toward him, including the building apprehension. I’m soon finished with my customer and then the store is empty.
