“Hey, what if I wanted that cherry?”
“You did?” Her guard immediately went up again. “I’m sorry. I should have asked—”
“Riley, I’m teasing. I don’t even like cherries.”
She turned her head slightly and gave him a sidelong glance. “Is that true, or are you just being nice?”
He set down the spoon and put up his hands. “You caught me. I love any kind of cherries.”
“You’re a terrible liar too.” She grinned and crossed her hands on the table as he finished off the dessert. She was tempted to grab another bite but held her ground. He didn’t need help polishing off the ice cream anyway. The waitress dropped off the check as he was scraping the last bit of hot fudge from the bottom of the dish.
When Riley reached for her bag, Hayden shook his head. “It’s on me tonight.”
“I’m paying my share.”
He looked at her. “I suppose it’s useless to argue with you.”
“Correct.” Again, she couldn’t stop herself from smiling.
“All right. But I still get to open the car door for you, right?”
Her smile widened and she sighed dramatically. “If you insist.”
They paid the bill and made their way to the car, Riley letting Hayden open the door. As they went back to downtown Maple Falls, they continued talking about their future plans, Riley leaving out her determination to leave as soon as she could, and Hayden never bringing up the subject.
It was dark by the time he pulled into the parking space next to Erma’s car in the lot behind Knots and Tangles. She could see a few fireflies hovering around the two small bushes that edged the parking lot. She hadn’t been able to figure out if they were planted there as a beautification project that was never finished, or if they simply weren’t pulled out when the lot was poured. They had always seemed out of place to her.
Hayden left the car running as he turned to her. “I had a great time tonight. Thanks for helping me talk through my ideas and how to approach my parents. I feel more confident about that now.”
“You’re welcome.” The silver light from the single lamppost in the parking lot shone inside the car, lighting up his face. Her hand went to her necklace and she fiddled with the gold chain, her nerves spiking again. For a supper that had been friendly, the electric tension between them right now definitely wasn’t. She wouldn’t have to move much to kiss him. Just a few inches and she could experience another wave of bliss like their last kiss. More than anything she wanted to do just that.
“Riley—”
“I’ve gotta go.” She opened the car door, forgetting that she had agreed to let him do it. “Mimi has an early doctor’s appointment.” Which was true, but it wasn’t that early. She scrambled out of the seat. “Thanks. Bye.” She slammed the door and fumbled in her purse for her keys. She didn’t glance back as she got in the car and fled from Hayden—again.
Although this time she had to do everything in her power not to go back to him.
***
On Thursday morning, Hayden was ready to talk to his parents. That, however, was not what was on his mind after he’d gone for a quick run before breakfast. Riley was, particularly the way she ran off last night. He’d been serious about having a good time with her, especially when she relaxed while they were discussing business. Then she’d turned playful during dessert, and that was when he’d been a goner. Although she sped out of his car like a jackrabbit, he’d been sure she wanted to kiss him again, maybe as much as he wanted to kiss her.
Strangely enough, he was glad she hadn’t. That would have complicated things, and he’d rather be around Riley as friends than kissing her and destroying their fragile friendship. The best thing he could do right now was get her off his mind and focus on his meeting with his parents.
After returning from his run, he quickly showered and dressed, then went downstairs and into the kitchen where his mother was finishing breakfast. When they were all seated at the table and had started eating, he told them he wanted to talk.
“About what, dear?” Mom sipped her white coffee that was mostly milk and sugar with a splash of actual coffee.
“The store.”
Both parents gaped at him. “You want to talk about the hardware store?” his dad asked.
“Yes.” Hayden leaned forward. “I know you’re selling the business.”
His parents exchanged a glance, then his father spoke. “How did you find out?”
Hayden told them, apologizing for reading personal mail. “I called Henry and he confirmed it, but he didn’t give me any details.”
“I’m sorry, Hayden.” Mom grimaced. “We were going to tell you—”
