“Tomorrow night?”
She shakes her head. “I can’t. We’re training a new waitress.”
“Lunch?” I suggest.
“At the diner?”
“No, but just be ready to go at noon.”
Penny beams at me. “All right. It’s a date.”
She turns to walk up the sidewalk, but my hand shoots out of my pocket and wraps around her wrist.
Penny glances back at me, eyebrows raised in question.
“I know you didn’t forget about our conversation regarding my intentions. I gave you fair warning.”
She gives me a cocky grin and I can tell she didn’t forget about my promise at all. “The part where you warned me you were absolutely going to kiss me tonight?”
“That’s the one.”
“Well,” she murmurs, stepping closer, “I appreciate a man who keeps his promises.”
“And I appreciate a woman who doesn’t hang back shyly but steps into what she wants.”
My hands move to frame her face, and the kiss starts slow and careful. But when her lips move against mine, the world narrows to nothing but us. Her hand comes up to my chest, a soft press that sends heat straight through me. I angle in closer, my palm finding the curve of her jaw, thumb brushing along her skin. She sighs into it, and the sound goes straight to my head.
Her mouth is warm, a little unsure at first, then steady and sure as we find a rhythm. I taste wine and pecan pie, and it makes me want to pull her closer, forgetwe’re standing under a streetlight in front of half the town.
For a few long seconds, I do.
When we finally break apart, she’s breathing fast, lips slightly swollen, looking at me wildly, like she’s trying to figure out what just happened. Truth is, I’m doing the same.
“Guess there’s something to be said about a man following through on his promises,” she says with a smile that could undo me.
I laugh softly, resting my forehead against hers. “You’re dangerous, Penny Pritchard.”
“Only if you’re smart enough to notice.”
“Oh, I’ve noticed.”
She pulls back, still smiling. “Good night, Sam.”
“Good night.”
I watch her walk up the porch, unlock the door, and before slipping inside, she waves to me. I hold up my hand in acknowledgment and then she’s gone. I just stand there for a few beats and think about how the entire evening played out. I should head home, but I don’t. I stay rooted to the sidewalk, recalling the sound of her laugh, the way her hand felt against mine, and consider that I’ve never liked someone as much as her.
Sure, I’ve dated, but I’ve never been interested in anything serious.
With Penny, I could see a future with her. She’samazing in all ways and I’d be a fool not to recognize that.
The only problem is that her future is in DC and mine’s here in Whynot.
CHAPTER 12
Sam
To bibliophiles, thesmell of new books is supposed to be calming. Right now, it’s making me slightly nauseated. The indie bookstore in downtown Raleigh is small but charming—exposed brick walls, a creaky hardwood floor, strings of Edison bulbs draped across the ceiling to create a magical atmosphere.
