“You figured that out after a movie and coffee?”
“Well, there was something else that clued me in.” When he saw her cheeks flush, he smiled. She wasn’t as cold as she appeared. “You felt it, too, didn’t you?”
“I...,” she whispered, not looking at him.
He brushed away a stray lock of hair that had loosened from her updo. “Maybe we should give this . . . give us . . . another try?”
She looked up at him, and what he saw in her eyes was far from emotionless. It was passion, pure and simple. And quite unexpected from her typical staid demeanor. Pleasantly unexpected, and it made him want to hold her again. But he didn’t dare. He’d already been a cad, and he wasn’t about to make things worse by taking advantage of her again.
He was lucky she wasn’t furious with him for kissing her in the Sunset parking lot. He had never kissed on the first date, and they hadn’t even officially had that. But he’d had so much fun with her at the café, and the undeniable connection he’d felt made him lose his marbles. He’d only meant to give her a quick peck on the cheek.
Next thing he knew, she’d been in his arms, kissing him, and he was in heaven.
“Are you serious?” she said, her voice featherlight and tentative. “About us?”
He couldn’t stop himself from moving closer. “Yes. I am. And I promise this time, Olivia Farnsworth, I won’t let you down.”
“You used my last name.” A smile played on her lips. “That must mean you’re serious.”
He chuckled. Touched a lock of hair, then rubbed it between his thumb and forefinger before letting it go again. This intelligent, serious, cute woman with a subtle sense of humor and the softest hair imaginable was knocking him off his feet.
Who would have thunk it?
Her fingers touched his teal necktie. “How do I know you’ll keep your word?” She lifted her gaze, a miniscule twinkle in her eye.
He swallowed. “Maybe we should shake on it?”
“Hmm.” She placed her palms on his chest. “I’m not sure that will be enough.”
His arms circled her waist. “Have any suggestions?”
She stood on her tiptoes and whispered, “A kiss will do.”
She didn’t have to ask twice. He bent down and kissed her, holding back as much as he could. She’d given him a second chance, and he didn’t want to blow it. “Believe me now?”
Olivia nodded. “Yes,” she said. “I do.”
“Good. Because I’m going to call you tonight after the wedding, and we’ll set up a date. And I promise you, OliviaFarnsworth, it will be the best one you’ve ever had.”
***
He never called.
Chapter2
One year later
“Beau’s thinking about coming for a visit.”
Olivia glanced up from her computer behind the library checkout counter. She, Flo, and her other assistant, RaeAnne, were closing for the evening. “Who’s Beau?”
“My grandnephew.” Flo straightened the stack of bookmarks Olivia had ordered for the after-school students who hung out in the library until their parents picked them up. School was starting in a week, and there was still so much to do.
“He’s the one you’ve been trying to fix Olivia up with, right?” RaeAnne said. She was straightening the New Arrivals display a few feet from the desk. “Is he still living in his mother’s basement?”
Flo scowled. “He’s still—”
“Finding himself,” Olivia and RaeAnne said at the same time.
