‘We could make it official. Go out on a date with me.’
‘That’s how all this crazy business started,’ she told him, throwing her hands in the air. ‘No more messing about with the gossips. I’m done.’
‘I wasn’t talking about messing with them. I mean it. For real. Let me take you out on a date.’
‘Why?’
‘Why does anyone take someone out on a date?’
‘It was just to show off to Austin.’
‘Was it?’ he asked lightly, although the seriousness she could read in his eyes belied the offhand tone.
‘I don’t think so. I mean, there’s the whole age thing. It wouldn’t work.’
‘There’s not that much of an age difference.’
‘Twelve years,’ she shot back. ‘That’s over a decade.’
‘It’s only four thousand, three hundred and eighty-three days, though. If you say it like that, it doesn’t sound as big.’
‘You didnotjust work that out in your head.’
‘Maybe I’ve been giving it some thought,’ he said, with a slow smile that began melting some of her resistance.
‘When were you going to tell me you were the owner of the pub and not just the barman?’ she asked.
‘I was wondering when you’d figure it out.’
‘I didn’t. I was told. Why didn’t you say anything?’ she asked. ‘I’m sorry. I certainly never meant to come across as though I thought a barman was anything … well … lesser.’
His grin tilted, setting off yet another avalanche of unexpected tingles inside her. ‘I didn’t take any offence.’
‘But you probably should have. Anyway, I’ll fix things,’ she said, beginning to back away.
‘Dinner, Tuesday night,’ he said, leaning against the post office wall and crossing his arms, which drew her attention to his chest and made her swallow hard before she dragged her eyes away.
‘No,’ she said.
‘I’ll pick you up at seven,’ he continued, unfazed.
Jenny shook her head and stared at him, exasperated. ‘No.’
‘See you then, Jenny.’
‘I’m not going out with you.’
‘Seven,’ he repeated, sending her a wink.
‘I won’t be waiting,’ she called as she swung around to leave, then clamped her mouth shut impatiently as two men walking past turned to look at her.I won’t, she added silently as she reached her car.
Jenny paced her bedroom and swore under her breath. It was six o’clock and she wasn’t sure if she was angry or nauseous—maybe both. A ding distracted her and she crossed the room to pick up her phone from the desk.
Caffeine_Addict
How’s your day been?
Her nerves dissolved and something close to happiness seeped in.
