“Yes.”
“Turn there and make your first right. Follow that road to the end, and I’ll be the only cabin on the right.”
“Perfect.” He shoved the napkin back, not needing it after all. “I’ll see you then. If anything changes, you have my number.”
***
Wes drew a long breath when the entrance for Hopkins’ Farms came into view. This wasn’t a date, not exactly, so why did his stomach turn inside out as though it were one. He second-guessed everything from what he wore, to his decision to not splash on cologne.
He’d kept his outfit lowkey—a comfortable pair of jeans and a jade button-down shirt. The perfect combination that said he wasn’t sloppy, but neither was he trying to impress.
Aren’t you?
Maybe he was. His first impression stunk, his second one not much better. The third time had to be the charm, and he was determined to prove his true self. And in those moments that he was completely honest with himself, he’d admit something about Paige attracted him. He barely knew her, so he didn’t know why, but he’d like to know her better. It could be only that he saw her as a challenge because she didn’t like him. At least not initially. Their phone call, added to the fact they were about to have dinner together, said otherwise.
Even so, that’s not how you operate.
Which circled him back to his original thought—he was attracted to her. And that added a new dimension to tonight.
Don’t think of it as a date. It’s not. Take it as a night out with a possible new friend.
For all he knew, they had nothing in common. What would they talk about?
He turned onto the unnamed road—driveway—and followed Paige’s instructions to her home. A small log cabin appeared just before the road ended. It was a quaint, one-story structure with a front porch that had two roughhewn chairs on it. No seasonal decorations adorned the outside, which surprised him. He’d assumed her home would be decorated since every facet of the main farm was decked out in fall décor.
Flexing his fingers, he prepared himself for the evening ahead. He’d made the invitation in haste, and while he didn’t regret it whatsoever, he couldn’t deny the dance his stomach currently performed. He left the phone in the car and walked to the door. Leftover snow from last night crunched under his feet. He didn’t see a doorbell so he knocked.
Paige opened the door. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Not rocking on his feet took a conscious effort.Get a grip, Wes. Where’s your confidence, poise, and maturity?
“Did you find the place okay?” She stepped out of the doorway, onto the porch.
“Yes. No problems at all.” With the porchlight on, and the lights coming from inside, he could see her as clearly as he could in the daylight. She wore a pair of skinny jeans tucked into a pair of burgundy leather ankle boots.How many pairs of boots did she own? Her cream shirt came down to her hips, and she wore a cardigan-style sweater over it that matched her boots. “You look nice.”
Not the smoothest line, but it’s what came out. Apparently, he’d have to think about every word he said before speaking to her.
She glanced down at her outfit in a fluid movement. “Thanks. You too.”
“I should have asked yesterday, but do you have any special diet you stick to?” He cringed at how stiff he sounded.
“No. I’m an equal opportunity eater. Most days I eat at the restaurant here, which is delicious, but any changeup is good with me.”
He laughed at her quip. “Do you like Dublin’s?”
“Are you kidding? It’s one of my favorites.”
“Whew. At least I got one thing right.” He winked, letting her know he hadn’t taken it that seriously. Not that he would admit he’d obsessed over a choice of restaurant all day.
Her arms shook in a shiver. “Let me grab my coat, and I’ll be ready.”
She went inside and came back out within a minute, wearing a knee-length wool coat and a scarf wrapped around her neck.
He supported her elbow, assisting her down the steps. He’d noticed a few patches of ice on his way in, and he wouldn’t risk her falling and getting hurt before their night even began. That wouldn’t do at all.
When they reached his car, he opened the passenger door for her and closed it after she’d sat down and buckled.
“Did the weather affect business this weekend?” he asked once he’d turned onto the main road.
