“Thanks.” The coffee tasted sweeter for his consideration and thoughtfulness.
He handed over a white paper bag. “I picked you up a maple donut as well. They just brought in a fresh batch from the bakery.”
“Did you eat one yet?”
“Maybe.” He drew the word out on a long breath with a mischievous gleam in his eyes. “Maybe two.”
She laughed. “It’s hard to eat just one, but after two, your stomach will remind you that too much of a good thing does exist.”
“Speaking from experience?”
“Yes, and lots of it.” She placed the bag next to her purse, intending to eat the donut later once she could savor it. “I’ll never be one of those girls who pretends to eat healthy all the time. You can take away my bread and fried food, but don’t mess with my sugar.”
He lifted his Styrofoam cup to his mouth and took a drink. “If I ever make you mad, remind me to pick you up a box of chocolate instead of flowers.”
“Or…” She wiggled her brows. “You could do double duty with a bouquet of chocolate flowers.”
“I’ll remember that.”
AJ showed up to relieve her and insisted she leave now despite twenty-minutes remaining on her shift. “Enjoy the rest of the day.”
She grabbed her purse and tucked the donut bag inside. “Thanks. I owe you one.”
“He seems nice,” Landon said as they walked away.
“AJ? He’s the best.” She glanced back at the middle-aged, balding man. “He comes across very serious, but he’s a jokester. We can always count on him to make us laugh during our meetings when things get boring.”
He shook his head. “I can’t see it.”
She nudged his arm. “That’s because you’re judging the book by its cover. Trust me, spend ten minutes with him, and your ribs will hurt from laughing.”
“I believe you.”
“He’s generous as well. Several years ago, he and his wife started a food bank at their church and use personal funds to stock it when it runs low.”
His sly smile reappeared. “I’m glad you mentioned he had a wife. For a minute, I thought he might be competition.”
She snorted. “He could be my dad.”
He shrugged. “Some women like older men.”
“Not me. I prefer them within the same decade.” Her cheeks warmed with the sudden realization they’d been flirting.
“Someone, who is, say, twenty-eight right now?” His cheekbones became more pronounced with his high grin.
She tapped her fingers. “I’m twenty-seven, so I’d say that’s a good age.”
“Glad to hear.” In a fluid, unpretentious movement, he reached for her hand and laced their fingers. His gaze met hers, silently asking permission, giving her the option to pull away.
There would be questions later, curious glances from her friends and neighbors, but none of that mattered for now. She and Landon had been brought into each other’s lives for a reason, and she had a hint of what it could be. Time would tell, but she’d enjoy the present.
She squeezed his hand. “Where to next?”
He took a deep breath. Both knew the question had multiple layers, but he replied to the surface. “What all is there? You’re the expert.”
“I’d suggest starting outside and knocking that off the list before the sun goes down. We’ll have plenty of time.”
They waded through the crowd until they reached the side door. As Landon reached for it, the door opened from the outside and Drew and Amie Sullivan walked in.
