She batted her eyelashes. “Yup, and I’m also cute.”
“That’s true, but now my hair’s a mess.”
“I can help with that.” She threaded her fingers through his soft hair, doing her best to arrange it. “There you go.”
His baby-blue eyes assessed her, and her stomach fluttered.
Oh boy.
She settled back in her seat and folded her arms. “You’re not getting this hat back.”
“Typical,” he muttered, but the corners of his mouth lifted in a ghost of a smile. He turned onto Main Street, which ran through downtown Splendid Lake, driving past the town hall and the library. When he came to the line of stores, he chose a spot in front of Scoops.
“What are we doing here?”
He shifted into Park and plucked his keys from the ignition. “Getting ice cream,” he said, his brow furrowing. “What else is there to do at Scoops?”
“Oh, okay.” She pushed open the door and met him at the front of the truck.
Jake held the parlor door open and made a sweeping gesture for her to walk in. The little shop was decorated in a 1950s theme with a black-and-white checkerboard tiled floor, red vinyl booths, chrome high-top tables, and red vinyl stools. Photos of ice cream sundaes, banana splits, and cones dotted the walls.
The shop buzzed with conversations as people enjoyed their sweet treats, and Emily nodded and waved to acquaintances as she stood in line beside Jake.
“Are you going to get your usual?” he asked her.
She tipped her head to the side. “What’s my usual?” she asked, quizzing him.
He rolled his eyes. “Chocolate chip cookie dough in a waffle cone with chocolate sprinkles.”
“Very good.” She poked his impressive bicep. “And I know you’re getting chocolate peanut butter in a waffle cone. You never deviate.”
They made their way to the counter and placed their orders before Emily retrieved her wallet.
When Jake started to protest, she held up a hand. “My treat. I insist.” She swiped her card and took the receipt.
“Emily?”
She spun just as Andi Wingate rushed over and hugged her. “It’s been forever.”
“Andi!” Emily squealed. “How are you?”
“I’m great.” Andi looked up at Jake. “Hey, Jake.” Then she focused on Emily. “I was across the street at Morningside Bakery, and I thought I saw you two walk in here. Are you back for good?”
Emily shook her head. “No, but I’m here for a while.” She could feel Jake watching her while she spoke. “How’s your hubby?”
“Seth’s great.” Andi pushed her hand through her short brown bob. Her brown eyes sparkled while she talked about her husband, who was their high school classmate and one of Jake’s good friends. “His landscaping company has really taken off. He has three crews working for him now and pretty much makes his own hours floating from jobsite to jobsite. He’s doing more managing and less landscaping.”
“Good for him. Want some ice cream?” Jake asked.
“Sure,” Andi said. She gave him her order before she and Emily found a booth and sat.
“Are you and Jake...?” Andi asked once they were seated in a booth.
“Together?” Emily asked.
Andi nodded.
Emily gave her a nervous laugh. “No, no, no. He asked me to come home to help him plan a celebration for the orchard. What have you been up to?”
