“To keep kids off drugs. It was a campaign thing back then.” She paused. “I don’t know how well it worked. I know it didn’t for—” She quickly shoved a bite of cake in her mouth. “Mmm. Good!”
Her muffled exclamation seemed a little exaggerated. Then again, perhaps not. It was fantastic cake. He took another bite, his jitters completely disappearing. “I feel like I’m at a tea party.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“I’ve never been to one before. Only seen them in movies. But I’m up for an adventure.”
She smirked. “I wouldn’t call Earl Grey and orange dream cake an adventure.”
“Adventures are what you make them.”
Maude glided into the room, holding a feather duster the size of her head. “Don’t mind me,” she sang, waving the duster around in a weak attempt to clean. “Just tidying up in here.”
Britt looked at Hunter and rolled her eyes.
He grinned. “This cake is delicious,” he said to Maude, almost finished with his slice.
She turned, her eyes twinkling with delight. “Why, thank you,” she said, punctuating her words with flourishes of the duster. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” Her gaze darted from Hunter to Britt, then back again, her smile growing even wider.
Britt leaned forward. “Sorry,” she whispered as Maude turned around and started faux dusting again.
He scooted closer to her and lowered his voice. “About what?”
Maude started to hum a tune that sounded vaguely familiar. Then she softly sang, “Take a chance on me...”
Britt sat up. “Really, Maude? ABBA?”
“Oh... sorry.” She looked over her shoulder with feigned surprise. “I didn’t realize I was singing out loud.”
Hunter burst out in laughter. “I thought I’d heard that song before. Been a long time, though.”
But Britt wasn’t laughing. She pulled out her phone and started typing on it.
“What are you doing?” Maude asked, fully facing them now.
“Telling X to come get you.” Britt peered up at her.
She held up the feather duster. “No need, I’m leaving.” She breezed toward the door. “You two have fun—”
“Bye, Maude!” But Britt was smiling now. After Maude left, she leaned back against the chair.
“She’s something else,” Hunter said, still chuckling.
“That she is.” Britt giggled. “That feather duster was hilarious.”
“Yep.” He picked up his small teacup. It felt like a toy in his hand. He took a sip and promptly set it down.
“Still don’t like tea?” she asked.
“Affirmative. But I do like coffee.” He hesitated before saying his next words. He didn’t want to push her before she was ready, but since she wasn’t tense, she might be willing to agree. “It’s time for your lesson now,” he said. “What do you think about going to a café with me?”
***
Britt felt her shoulders scrunch up. Unbelievable. Here she was having a great time with Hunter, and she was only slightly annoyed with Maude’s obvious attempt to spy on them. That haddisappeared when she realized Hunter wasn’t bothered at all. He had the best laugh too.Did this man have any flaws?
But one mention of going out in public, and she was back where she started—anxious, nervous, and on the verge of perspiring.How attractive.
He was sitting close to her now, and he surprised her by moving toward her a few inches more, his gaze holding hers. “You can say no. I won’t mind, and I won’t judge. But I think it would be a good thing for you. I know this small café that’s off the beaten path. There isn’t room for a lot of people.” He glanced at her teacup, then back at her. “I’m sure they’ll have Earl Grey.”
