He trailed his fingers up her arm. “Maggie. We were good together. There’s chemistry between us.”
Maggie chewed the inside of her cheek. She couldn’t deny him that, so she opted not to answer.
Cash stepped into her space, the toes of his work boots between her sneakers. “Come on. Let’s see what kind of fireworks we can set off.” He slid his hands along her sides and around to her back.
The temperature in the store went up a thousand degrees and a buzzing noise filled her ears, blocking out all the other sounds and the announcement over the loudspeaker. He dropped his chin, his breath warm on her neck and collarbone, making her bones melt.
“I just—um—excuse me?”
Someone pushed Maggie out of Cash’s embrace. Her eyes were still heavy with the expectation of his kiss, and she stumbled against the bread rack. “Ouch.”
“Sorry, hon. You two were blocking the gluten-free selection.” The millennial shrugged as if it was no big deal to push apart two people who were about to kiss.
Maggie locked eyes with Cash, and something hilarious sparked between them. He widened his eyes, asking if she could believe this girl, and she drew her lips into a flat line, responding that she was just as bewildered as he was by the behavior. They both stifled a laugh.
Maybe it wasn’t the fireworks he’d been looking for, but this silent conversation did something to Maggie. It showed her that maybe, with the time they’d been apart, the two of them had grown up.
For them, timing could be a thing.
The question was, what was she going to do about it? Should she let Cash back into her life? Or should she protect herself against possible future heartbreaks?
Their marriage had an expiration date, but that didn’t mean it had to spoil, did it? If Cash’s affections were real, then she could … maybe … give this a try.
Dang it all if admitting that much wasn’t hard for her.
If timing was a thing, then she’d take a little longer to get used to the idea of opening her heart to him. There had to be some sign, some truth that she could hold on to from Cash.
Or she could just ask him.
Chapter 12
Returning the convertible rental car didn’t take long compared to the shopping trip. “I think you cleared out the store.” Cash smiled over at Maggie in the passenger seat. The back of his pickup was full of white grocery bags containing who knew what. Good thing he had a big kitchen. “You bought enough to feed my old battalion.”
She smiled softly. “You guys eat a lot.”
He’d hoped she’d joke back with him. Ever since he’d tried to kiss her, she’d been quiet. He might have pushed too hard, too fast. Keeping away from her was difficult. “They like you, ya know. James can’t say enough good things, and he’s constantly dropping hints that he wants to come to dinner again.”
Maggie turned toward him. “Is that right?”
“Cross my heart.” He swiped his fingers over his chest in an X.
Maggie turned to stare out the window. She nibbled on her thumbnail.
Her fidgeting made him fidget. “Is there something on your mind?”
She snorted. “Yeah. You could say that.” Drawing in a breath as if summoning her courage, she blurted out, “What do you want out of all this?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean …” She swallowed. “Is it all about getting the house and your grandpa’s will, or do you want … more?” She said the last word so softly he had to lean across the space between their seats to hear her.
More …
Something clicked in his head, and he whipped the car off the road and threw it into park. Maggie grabbed the edge of her seat to hold on with one hand. The other flew against the door to brace herself.
Cash couldn’t seem to bring in a full breath. There was a tightness in his chest created by the most dangerous feeling he’d ever felt: hope. He jumped out of the car and ran around to her side, wrenching the door open and then cupping her face in his hands. “I know that was a question and all, but it also sounds like there’s an offer in there. Maggie Diamante, don’t play with me right now. Whatexactlyare you saying?”
Maggie’s eyes grew moist. “I have to hear you say it first, Cash. You were the one who walked away, so … I just …”
