As I waited in line for my order, I kept my gaze on the entrance of the restaurant. Which was probably the reason I didn’t see August until he stepped right into my line ofvision.
“Hey.”
I tipped my head up, my heart whipping into gear. “Hi.”
His gaze was soft and bright, devoid of the darkness and tension from two nights ago. For some reason, that stumped me. Not that August needed to pine for me or harbor resentment, but he seemed almost . . .happyto see me. I mean, I was happy to see him too, but if the tables were turned and he’d done the breaking up, I’d probably not have been all too glad to run intohim.
Which highlighted my lack ofmaturity.
Which highlighted his surplus ofit.
His lips moved, and I’m pretty sure he uttered words, but I was so lost in thought I failed to hearthem.
“What?” Iasked.
“I was asking what you weredoing?”
“Oh.Uh.”
The barista called out myname.
“Buying coffee,” I finallyanswered.
He smiled, and I swear it dimmed the noise level around me. “I can see you’re buying coffee. I guess I was wondering why you were in thisneighborhood.”
“Oh.” I really had a way with words today. “Um. I was—Shoot!” I peeked around him just as the door to the restaurant opened and Evelyn limpedout.
Shoot. Shoot.Shoot.
Not only was I not where I promised I would be, but I was with August. “I’m sorry, but I have togo.”
“Okay.” He frowned. “See you around,Dimples.”
The fact that he was calling me Dimples again made me feel like he didn’t detestme.
Right before pushing my back into the door of the shop, I asked him, “By the way, could I borrow some equipment from the warehouse? I wanted to sand down the floors of my oldhouse.”
He shook his head a little. “I’m offended you feel the need to ask me whether you can borrow stuff from me. What’s mine isyours.”
What was his wasn’t mine, even if once upon a time, it had been myfather’s.
“I’m headed back to the warehouse after I deliver coffee to the crew. Stop by whenever you want,” hesaid.
“Thanks?” I didn’t mean for it come out as a question, but his genial attitude stumped me. Had he already gotten overme?
I turned away before he could spot my anguish and joined Evelyn on the sidewalk where she was chatting with a man who looked to be around Jeb’s age. I pasted on my widest smile as I approachedthem.
“Sorry. Just went to grab us some coffees.” I extended her cup, then shot out my hand to the man and smiled. “Hi, I’m Ness. Evelyn’sgranddaughter.”
I didn’t usually introduce myself this way, but seeing the breadth of Evelyn’s smile, I decided I should start doing it moreoften.
“Nice to meet you, Ness. I’m Trent.” His grip was firm and his expression friendly. “Grams told me we have you to thank for getting in touch with Evelyn,” he said, letting go of myhand.
“Glad to have been at the right place at the right time. Is your wife feelingbetter?”
“She’s feeling fine, thank you for asking. Anyway, I should get back to my accounting. I’ll see you tomorrow,Evelyn.”
“Sí.Tomorrow.”
