He took her hand and led her out to the truck, opened her door, and waited while she slid in. Thenhe climbed in, looked at her for a moment, and drove them into town.
****
As Cole drove along Main Street his gaze kept drifting to Aftyn’s profile, the late afternoon sun catching the highlights in her hair. She smiled at each shop they passed, the weathered brick storefronts and colorful awnings that gave Clifton its charm. He pulled around to the back of the diner and parked by her stairs.
“We could go to The Hartland one night,” he said, cutting the engine. “Nice restaurant over in Hartland. I’ll call ahead for a reservation.”
“I don’t have anything dressy with me.” She twisted a strand of hair around her finger.
“You don’t have to dress up.”
“I’d love to go.” She paused. “Wait. You need a reservation but it’s not fancy?”
“I didn’t say it wasn’t fancy. I said you don’t have to dress up. Most people dress up, but plenty show up in jeans.” He gestured to his own Wranglers.
“So, it is fancy.” Her voice dropped.
Cole heard the disappointment. “It’s entirely up to you. Jeans are fine. Trust me. Whatever you want.”
“My luck, the night we go everyone will be dressed up except me.”
“And me. I wear jeans and a dress shirt.”
“A nice dress shirt though, right?” She raised an eyebrow.
Cole sighed. “It will be fine. Ask Connie. She’ll tell you.”
“Okay. Let me take my case up first.”
“Leave it. We’ll get it when we come back.”
“Alright.” She reached for the door handle.
“I’ll get it.” He stepped out, walked around to her side, and opened the door, offering his hand palm up. She placed hers in it, her smooth skin against his roughened palm sending a shiver up his arm. He helped her down and kissed her lightly, surprised by how much he already wanted her again.
They walked along the sidewalk, the scent of her perfume mingling with the smell of burgers and fries drifting from the diner. Aftyn paused at every shop window until she stopped at Festive Finds, pressing close to the glass.
“The display is so pretty.” She smiled at the Santa surrounded by elves.
Cole opened the door. “Let’s go in.”
Inside she wandered through the shop without once looking at him. When he chuckled, she turned.
“What?” she whispered.
“Why can’t you look at me?” he teased.
She held his gaze for a beat before dropping her eyes. “I did. Happy now?”
He laughed. “You shouldn’t be embarrassed. Do you think they know we had sex—”
“Shhh.” She glanced around. The shop was busy with people browsing and teenagers scrolling their phones at the counter.
Cole folded his arms and tilted his head. “No one is paying us any attention, Aftyn.”
“I’m being paranoid,” she murmured, her shoulders loosening.
“Just a little,” he agreed.
