And there’s that blush creeping up her neck again. I can’t help but find it oddly satisfying.
“She wasn’t. I sort of volunteered myself.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, a gesture that catches my attentionmore than it should. “I’ve always loved books, and I figured it would be a good way to meet people while I’m here.”
“And how long do you plan on being here exactly?” I ask, trying to sound casual, though I’m very invested in her answer.
She shrugs. “Not sure yet.”
I should leave it there. I know I should. She’s barely unpacked her suitcase, and here I am, mentally rolling out reasons for her to stay—good coffee, better whisky, my sister’s community events, me.
Jesus.
She’s not some local woman I’ll see again at the pub or passing by church on Sundays. I shouldn’t be letting anyone mess with the steady life I’ve carefully built over the past couple years. One I’ve spent too long convincing myself is enough.
I’ll back off and be polite. Be the reliable guy with a lighthearted tone and no emotional investment. That would be smart. That would be safe.
“Well,” I say, tapping a knuckle on the table, “I’m glad to see you again. I was hoping I would.”
There.
That was gentle. Friendly. No invitation, no ask, no reason for her to second-guess my intentions.
I offer her a nod before pushing myself up from my chair, but then, she smirks.
“Glad I got to see you, too,Captain.”
This was supposed to be easy. A quick hello, a polite retreat.
But simple doesn’t smirk like that. Simple doesn’t make my pulse kick up, doesn’t stir heat low over nothing more than a look and a few words.
Simple shouldn’t make me want to lean in just to watch her lips move when she speaks.
I steel myself and step away, refusing to glance back. Because if I look at her now, I might just forget why I ever stood up in the first place.
I’ve just kickedback on the couch for the night when my phone buzzes next to me. I shake my head. I knew this call was coming.
“Hiya, dear sister,” I answer, settling deeper into the cushions.
“Mm, hello, brother.”
I can practically hear the shit-eating grin in her voice.
“Ask away. I know it’s been gnawing at you since I left the café,” I taunt, propping my feet on the coffee table.
“Well, is there something specific I should be asking? You were looking very comfortable with Rose’s niece, aye?”
“Now you wouldn’t be getting nosy now, would you, Lou?”
“Me? Never,” she teases. “Just curious, is all. The few times I looked over it seemed you were having a grand time.”
“I was, for the most part. Rose invited her to the distillery earlier in the week, so I met her then.”
“She’s lovely.”
“That she is,” I agree, my voice lowering just a little, but not enough to reveal how much I’m actually enjoying the idea of seeing her more.
“Now that the questions are out of the way, yes. I was being nosy.”
“I’m well aware, Lou. You’re worse than Callan when it comes to sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.”
