“Yes, ma’am.” He smiled.
“It smells amazing in here.” Her voice dropped to barely a whisper.
“You don’t have to whisper.”
She laughed, soft and melodic. “I feel like I do for some reason.”
“Hi, Cole.”
“Hi, Mallory. This is Aftyn Hutchins. Aftyn, Mallory Nichols. She owns the shop.”
“So nice to meet you.” Mallory extended her hand. “Please look around and let us know if you need anything.”
“Thank you. This place is amazing.”
Cole followed behind Aftyn as she moved through the shop, shaking his head each time she picked something up and carefully set it back down. A delicate glass snowflake, a carved wooden bear. She lifted candle lids and sniffed them, her nose crinkling with delight. Then she spotted the candy case behind the polished glass counter and made a beeline for it, eyes widening.
“Look at that chocolate fudge.” She sighed with longing, then glanced at Mallory. “Do you make this yourself?”
“My mother and I do. Family recipe from the thirties.”
“I have to have some.” She was already reaching for her wallet. “Half a pound, please. I love it straight from the freezer.”
Mallory wrapped it in wax paper and tied it with twine while Aftyn paid cash.
“So, you like fudge,” Cole said.
She turned with a mischievous smile. “Chocolate. I will do just about anything for chocolate.”
“I’ll remember that.” He grunted when she elbowed him in the ribs.
****
Aftyn walked out while Cole held the door, the paper bag crinkling in her hand. She sighed.
“What was that for?” He fell into step beside her.
“I shouldn’t have bought this. I need to save every dollar I can.” She clutched the bag tighter.
“That fudge isn’t going to break you. You’ve barely spent anything on yourself since you got here.” He shrugged. “No harm done.”
“I suppose.”
“Now where?”
“Home. I want to relax for the rest of the day.”
He moved to the outside of the sidewalk and took her hand as they walked back through the parking lot and up the stairs. At the door she turned the key and looked at him.
“You’re coming in, right? We could watch a movie.”
“I can stay awhile. I need to leave around five for dinner at my parents’ house. I have a couple of hours.” He smiled. “I won’t overstay my welcome.”
“You could never.” She tugged on his belt loops,pulling him inside. He kicked the door shut, picked her up, and looked at her.
“Point the way.”
She put her head on his shoulder and pointed down the hall. Who wanted to watch a movie anyway?
