“Me too.” She squeezed Anita’s shoulders.
As her friend walked way, she packed up her laptop and headed out of the café.
Don’t look. Don’t look.
But she slowed her steps and did exactly that, and all she saw was the empty front window of the dance studio. Not Kingston and Sunny dancing beautifully for Maple Falls to see. Her imagination took over anyway. She visualizedhim dipping Sunny, their eyes locking as he cradled her slim waist. She’d seen enough old movies to know that classic move, which was usually followed by a kiss. Or, in comedies, a drop to the floor.
She shook her head at her own ridiculousness. So what if Kingston and Sunny were dancing, or embracing, or even became an item? Good for them. It wouldn’t affect her one way or another.
She started to walk again. She would just ignore—
“Oof!”
Olivia felt a hand on the side of her shoulder. She looked up and found herself inches from Pastor Jared. “Sorry about that.” He gave her a sheepish grin. “I was trying to dodge you, but I guess you didn’t see me.”
“No, it’s my fault. I wasn’t paying attention.”
“Well, it’s nice bumping into you.” He smiled. “Just came from the diner. Tanner’s got a new special this week—grits and shrimp. Have you tried them?”
“Not yet.”
“I highly recommend them.” He glanced across the street. “Oh, hey, there’s Kingston. He’s leaving the dance studio.”
Against her will she turned and looked at him. This time, their eyes met. Locked. And for a moment, she couldn’t breathe.
“Will you be there on Monday?”
Jared’s question buzzed in her ear like a pesky fly. “What?” she asked.
Kingston turned and walked toward Price’s Hardware. As if he hadn’t even seen her.
“The dance studio. Are you going to continue taking lessons?”
She turned back to Jared. For a split second she thought about going back on her word to herself to be more adventurous. It would be easier than seeing Kingston every week. But she remembered her vow not to let Kingston affect her life. “Yes,” she said, giving Jared a smile. “I’ll be there.”
“Great. If we’re partnered up again, I promise I won’t step on your feet.” He grinned and moved past her. “I’ve got a meeting at the café in a few minutes. See you Sunday.”
“See you then.”
She watched him walk away. He was a nice guy. Always friendly. Good-looking too. If she was interested in dating, Jared would be a good choice.
And risk getting hurt again? No thank you.
She got into her car and drove back to the library, putting both Kingston and Jared out of her mind.
***
“Whatcha lookin’ at?”
Kingston glanced at Jasper as the old man sidled up to him near the glass door of the hardware store. Ducking into Price’s had been an impulsive decision after he’d seen Olivia standing outside the café... talking to Jared. When she’d turned away from the pastor and looked straight at him, he’d almost dashed across the street to talk to her. But she’d made it clear she didn’t want to have anything to do with him, so he chickened out. Now he was watching her smile at Jared. He felt a muscle jerk in his jaw.
“Cat got your tongue?”
He looked at Jasper and moved away from the door. “Where do you keep your wrenches?” He couldn’t come up with a good excuse for staring out the door, but at least he could pretend he needed a tool or something.
“Depends.” Jasper ran his stubby thumb over the edge of the counter where an old-fashioned register sat, a smaller modern one next to it.
“On what?”
