“You look beautiful. But I want you to be comfortable.” He folds his arms, leaning against thesofa. “I’ll wait.”
I edge backward, wondering if he’s being kind or truthful. I go with the former and disappear into my bedroom to run a brush through my hair and peel off the patches. My outfit is comfy, one of the few things that fits me these days, which is why I bought five, all in different colors.
Why should I care what Warren thinks?
After a spritz of deodorant and a swipe of lip balm, I find Warren exactly where I left him. His studious gaze and handsome face remind me why I care. Gosh darn suspenders.
“Okay, I’m ready,” I chirp and grab my coat.
He smiles and plucks at the thick strap of my olive green overalls. “I like this.”
It’s suddenly too hot for another layer. We head outside, lock up, and once we’ve climbed into his truck, I turn to him. “Where are we headed?”
With a hand behind my headrest, he expertly reverses out of the drive. “A friend’s house. It’s not far. A little on the outskirts.”
Sensing an air of secrecy wafting from him, I zip my lips and get comfortable. We drive north, leaving Talia’s more affluent neighborhood, and pass through downtown. Bungalows and farm houses come into view, with various colored paneling and white-picket fences. I haven’t ventured to this side of town a lot. It’s a quieter, where kids can race their bikes through the streets or run wild in the surrounding meadow fields.
We park outside a two-story cottage, with a steep gabled roof and brick exterior. A large black cherry tree looms over it, its spindly branches corkscrewing up to the sky.
It’s cozy, as if pulled right out of a fairytale.
“This is adorable,” I exclaim, my nose pressing against the cool window. “It has a name. The Little Hearth. How precious.”
Warren steps from the truck, and I follow. “Do youlike it?”
“Yeah. This neighborhood is lovely.” I turn to him as we pause outside the front gate. “You never told me you had a friend in town.”
He shrugs, my comment sliding off his shoulders. “Let’s go inside. See what you think.”
I narrow my eyes at the back of his head as he casually wanders up the cobbled path. His mysterious personality isn’t abnormal, but something is off. “What’s your friend’s name?”
A beat passes. “Michael.”
“Michael what?”
He peers at me over his shoulder. “You’re awful nosy today.”
“And you’re terrible at acting casual.” I fold my arms, raising my chin haughtily. “What gives?”
“Nothing.” He avoids my pensive gaze while fishing a set of keys out of his pocket and then opening the front door.
The air is toasty inside, the smell of burning wood fire lingering. If the outside was cozy, the inside is the epitome. It’s quaint, with an open-plan living and kitchen. A mix of hickory and exposed brick covers the walls, while polished hardwood lines the floors. It’s not too modern or traditional, more of an in between. Orange embers glow in the cast-iron fireplace, the perfect touch to the little cottage.
A large hand falls to the bottom of my spine, guiding me farther inside.
“I’m gonna need the name of Michael’s interior designer, because this is delightful.” I glance at Warren. “Are a family of deer going to pop out and serenade us?”
He chuckles. “I’ve heard the meadow is quite the animal pen in the summer. You never know.”
I’m speechless as Warren gives me a brief tour. We peek inside the kitchen, and each room after gets better. We finish in the main bedroom, and I almost forget why we’re here.
Almost.
Warren jolts backward when I spin on my heels. “Okay, spill.”
His slightly overgrown beard tickles his full lips as they purse in contemplation. “What did you think about the smaller bedroom?”
I frown. “Perfect. The view overlooking the backyard was my favorite.”
