Katelyn and Tessa exchange glances.
“You guys. Come on. You’re making me nervous.”
“But I thought it wasn’t a date?” Tessa asks sweetly.
“It’s not,” I insist. But the butterflies in my stomach say otherwise. The truth is, even though we agreed to be just friends for now, things have shifted. Lunch today proved that. Sawyer’s grins are different, and when we were cleaning up after lunch, I couldn’t help but notice how he watched me as if I were his sole focal point.
“You can’t pretend you didn’t notice how I looked at you.” Is it possible he’s been like this the entire time, and I just brushed it off because I wasn’t ready to see it?
“I’ll be here bright and early tomorrow for details,” Tessa says.
“Me, too. Garrison has already agreed to take Thomas to school,” Katelyn adds.
“You guys are ridiculous.” But the smile on my face only grows. Is this kind of a date? Or am I reading way too much into it?
“Ridiculous or not, we will be here.” Katelyn gets off my bed and stretches.
“Bright and early,” Tessa reminds me.
With a laugh, I leave my room and head out into the living room where the container of popcorn sits, ready to be popped. Of course, I’ll wait until he’s here, but just seeing it on the counter brings me such joy.
Sawyer is coming here.
Six months of not having my friend with me, and he’s going to be sitting right next to me on the couch, watching a silly TV show and eating dinner just like old times.
“Call us,” Tessa says as she pulls open the door. “You know, if there’s anything to call about.” As she’s leaving, she makes a kissy face at me. I roll my eyes and laugh, then continue wiping down my counters and making sure any dirty dishes are washed and set in the dryer rack.
My dryer beeps, signifying the end of the current load, so I move into the laundry room and make the switch. As I’m carrying the basket into my bedroom, the doorbell to my shop rings.
After checking the time, I see that Sawyer’s not due here for another ten minutes, and he has a key.
I leave the basket on my bed beside Axel, then head down the steps. A man is standing at the front door, wearing a brown courier’s uniform. He smiles at me through the window and waves, a small package in his hand.
Did I order something? My typical delivery isn’t for another few days. Still, I pull the door open. “Hi, can I help you?”
“That depends,” he replies, then checks the label on the package in his hand. “Are you Anastasia Knox?”
“I am.”
“Then here you go.” He smiles widely and offers me the package. “I hope you have a great day.”
“Thanks. You, too.” I smile at him, then close and lock the door. The package is small, maybe the size of the box one of my coffee mugs comes in. Curious, I set it on the counter and slice the tape open with a pair of scissors.
Inside, there’s a small stuffed animal. An orange cat with bright green eyes and a red collar.
Axel.
It looks just like him. Weird. I dump the box upside down to look for a note, but when none falls out, I set the box aside and study the cat. Who could have sent it? Anyone local would have just brought it over themselves. And I don’t have any friends outside of Stormwatch Landing.
Except for…Jack.
Did he send it?
The alarm system lets out a quick beep to let me know someone came in through the back door. Excitement shoves the questions aside, and I leave the gift on the counter to cross over toward where Sawyer is coming in, a takeout bag in his hands.
He’s showered, the day’s labor washed off of him, and is looking far too handsome for my own good in a pair of grey sweats and a black t-shirt, a pair of tennis shoes on his feet.
Oh, boy. My pulse picks up the pace, and I have to remind myself to breathe.
