* * *
Twelve-thirty can’t come soon enough.I spend my morning searching for the perfect outfit before settling on a pair of jeans and a tank top. Connor's only seen me dressed like this, and since I have no clue where we stand or what he wants, I don't want to look like I'm trying toohard.
I run into the deli, shocked at how cold it is outside. I mean, it's July for christ’s sake. I shiver at the door, letting the wind protected area warm me before I can do anythingelse.
Connor laughs behind me, wrapping his suit coat around my shoulders and sending a second blast of heat throughme.
"Thank you." I hug it tome.
He tilts his head to a corner table. "I was able to sneak out early, so I texted Tracy and asked what I should order foryou."
"You told Tracy we were meeting for lunch?" I ask, kind of shocked by hisadmission.
"Well, yeah, it’s just lunch." He winks, but it’s so fast, I’d have missed it if I wasn’t payingattention.
I sit down to my favorite meal, an egg salad sandwich and an icedtea.
"I would have gotten you hot tea if I knew you were going to be socold."
"This is fine—perfect actually—but tell me, is it always this cold here? It's July. You know, July. One hundred degree plus days back home, only a few miles down theroad."
He laughs, covering his mouth with the napkin on his lap. "Summers here are brutal. Wait till the fog rollsin."
"It gets worse?" I ask,flabbergasted.
"At least it's sunny today. Enjoyit."
“How can you enjoy it when you're being blownaway?"
He laughs some more. "Keep the jacket then. I'll pick it up on my way hometonight."
I pull it tighter around me. "Thankyou."
"You didn't know about the noise, and you didn't know about the weather, so tell me, why did you movehere?"
I contemplate telling him the truth, but the impulse passes and I settle on the same story I telleveryone.
"I just want a year off, to do as I want before I hit the grind of the real world." It's a believable lie, and I've gotten really good at tellingit.
He nods, accepting my answer before moving on. "What's yourplan?"
"I have a job interview today. I have enough money saved up to pay rent and such, so I only need something small to cover the bills." I lie somemore.
"Good luck then. I'm sure you'll dogreat."
His support nearly melts my heart, and I almost feel bad lying to him. "Are you working on a big case?" I ask, happy to put the focus onhim.
Sitting back in his chair, he sighs. "A huge one. They have me running all over. That's why I only have time for a quick bite." He looks to his watch, keeping a close eye on the time, worry showing in hisbrow.
"Well, thank you for including me in yourplans."
He looks up, almost like realization just washed overhim.
He pauses for a moment then smiles, shrugging his comment off when he replies, "Just wanted to make sure you were settled on your first dayhere."
And there it is. He tells me he's having a busy day, yet he still thought about me, giving me hope we’re heading down the path I’ve always wanted to beon.
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