“It smells amazing.” We find a few seats and start to take coats off. “Is it okay that you’re not a single at the festival?” I nod to Charlotte trying to unzip her puffer coat.
“First,” he goes to help Charlotte with her coat, “I’m single. And secondly, it’s one of the kid friendly events they have for the festival. Besides, all the firefighters are friends.”
“Can I sit by you?” Charlotte asks me and Jake’s demeanor teeters between amusement and concern.
“Of course,” I help her into the seat between Jake and myself. Now it feels less like a somewhat blind date and more of a casual family outing.
A family I don’t belong to.
“How about I grab us a few plates then? Sausage or bacon?”
Both Charlotte and I reply with bacon at the same time and we giggle. Jake smiles and heads off to grab food. My eyes are glued to his ass as he walks away.
Thank God for tight jeans.
Although I bet that he’s fit from all the biking he does for his job. I look down at my sweater and jean combo. I’m not really a sports person. I probably own one workout outfit and it’s for when Lucy or Selena drag me to yoga. Which is almost always followed by a boozy brunch. I wonder what Jake and I have in common. I watch as he gets stopped by multiple people and ends up chatting with a few.
“Do you make pancakes?” Charlotte asks me and I pull my attention back to her.
“Sometimes. I prefer waffles with strawberries and whipped cream.”
“You can make waffles?” she squeals. “Can you make me waffles tomorrow?”
“I can’t tomorrow.” Her smile fades and I quickly add, “but maybe another time. We’ll ask your dad.”
I didn’t expect to bond with a child during this trip meant for relaxing and getting back into the swing of dating. But Charlotte is too cute.
“Alright ladies,” Jake returns with a tray of food. “Two pancake plates with bacon.” He sets them down and adds, “and some hot chocolate.” Jake cuts one of the pancakes up and then Charlotte starts to dig in.
“So, Jake,” I sip the hot cocoa. “What do you do when you’re not working?”
“Besides the usual tea parties and princess movies?” his eyebrows raise.
“Of course,” I munch on the bacon. “Do you bake? Or hike?” I scrunch my face, “I’m not actually sure what there is to do in Montana. I only came for this festival and the spa services.”
“I love to cook actually,” he cuts another pancake for Charlotte. I realize he hasn’t really eaten anything on his plate yet. He’s been making sure Charlotte has her food then he takes a small bite or drink.
“I’m a terrible cook. The stories my kitchen would tell,” I laugh.
Before he comments we get interrupted by another small child. The girl is clearly friends with Charlotte because they both shriek when they see each other. Charlotte asks if she can go play and Jake tells her yes but that she needs to stay in the fire station. She nods a million times before running off.
“Sorry about that,” he grimaces. “I’m sure this isn’t what you were expecting on a thank you dinner date.” He gestures to the paper plates with syrup covered pancakes and the busy fire station around us.
“In a way it’s nicer than a steak house.” His face twists in confusion so I continue, “it lets me see more of Valentine as a regular person would, not just a tourist.”
“Ahh,” he nods. “Well, you already know my job and that I have a daughter. Since I’m terrible at small talk, and I’m used to everyone in town already knowing each other’s business, how about we share a little bit more about ourselves upfront. Get those first date bits out of the way. Besides, I know you’re here for the festival so you can think of it as practice.”
“Sure, you first.” I continue to eat my pancakes. I’m intrigued by what all he wants to share.
“I’ve never been married and I served in the army. It was a stint right out of high school so that I could pay for college. I’m not close to my family, they didn’t like the army decision. And I followed a girl out here, which is how I ended up in Montana despite being an East Coaster all my life. What about you?”
“Not much to tell. I’m from Québec, born and raised. My parents retired and we don’t see each other much. They travel a lot. I’m a clothing designer. Or I was, I got laid off. One day I want to run my own business and have a clothing line. I like to read thrillers. I’m not super outdoorsy though I love a picnic in the park if that counts. Hmmm,” I shove a piece of pancake in my mouth. “I think that’s it. Oh wait, I know your last name from the card you gave me. My last name is Morin.”
“That is a lot of information Mallory Morin.” He stresses my last name.
I scoot a chair over, taking Charlotte’s empty spot. Now our arms are touching as we sit side by side. I lean in to whisper, in my best flirty tone as possible, “your accent is cute.”
“I can say the same about yours.” He laughs before he takes my hand once more. The action surprises me, a warmth seems to blossom in my chest and spread through my limbs.
