Which was ridiculous, right? She’d literally just met him.
“Anyone who treated you like a side gig is a fucking idiot.” Cade said seriously.
Lucy smiled, appreciating the colorful language on her behalf, feeling some of her nervous energy fade. She undid her seat belt, bending one knee up on the seat as she turned to face Cade.
“You said you wanted to tell me something? I think I sidetracked us.”
“Yes.” Cade nodded, his gaze boring into her and making her blush.
There it was again, that heat they’d shared at the coffee shop.
Lucy fought back a deluge of naughty thoughts involving Cade’s pillowy lips and her body as she gazed right back into those brilliant blues.
A phone rang, and Cade cursed.
“I’m going to have to take this,” he said apologetically, pulling a phone from his pocket. “I’m sure it’s about work.”
“It’s okay.” She gave him what she hoped was an encouraging smile as she shifted in her seat again. “Take it. I’ll just get started on the shopping.”
“I’m sorry, Lucy.” And he truly seemed disappointed that something had interrupted them.
She gave Cade a sweet smile before leaving him in the car with his call. She was part-way through her shopping when she realized how irresponsible that had been.
What the heck was wrong with her?
Sure, Cade didn’t feel like a stranger, but the truth was, they barely knew each other. And she’d not only let him drive her Rogue, she’d just left him in there to take his call like they did it all the time. Maybe she was losing it.
At least there were witnesses.
Not that she thought Cade would actually steal her car, he was a Sheriff for crying out loud.
Lucy flipped her braid over her shoulder, focusing on picking out the best bunches of arugula and parsley, while willing herself to calm down. This thing with Cade, this attraction, while a bit confusing, was also pretty awesome. She’d focus on that.
She chose some rosemary and handed her selections to the vendor, who smiled at her knowingly.
“You’ve got a good one there, sweetie.” The merchant’s smile made her look ten years younger.
Lucy felt her skin flush at the older woman’s comment. She couldn’t tell if the woman was talking about Cade or the herbs.
“Um, thanks.” She pulled some cash from her pocket.
“None of that,” the woman tutted. “It’s on the house, my dear.”
Lucy focused on the woman’s face. Kind eyes, and an even kinder smile. Though she had white hair, there was a youthful vibrancy about her, a playful air that was balanced with a calm elegance.
That woman was aging goals, right there.
“What’s your name?” Lucy asked.
“Call me Jorie,” she smiled. “Is there anything else you need?”
“Actually, do you have any fennel? And I plan to pay for all of that.”
“I do.” Jorie gave her a mischievous grin. “And you can plan to pay, but I choose not to accept.”
Lucy could only stare as Jorie put her items into a reusable grocery bag and turned to a crate on the ground, pulling out a fat bulb of fennel with its feathery leaves.
“Making your grandfather’s famous trout then, hm?” Jorie smiled.
