Page 22 of Finding Forever

“You don’t need it in writing,” Dave replied with an equally lighthearted grin. “You’ve taken photos of every lighting system we’ll need. Just show me one of those, next time I doubt you.”

Beth slipped her cell phone into her pocket. “I’ll do that. Would you like to have a cup of coffee and something to eat while we’re here? I haven’t had lunch yet, and I’m starving.”

Dave checked his watch. “I only have half an hour. I need to be at Finley Point in an hour. Does that work for you?”

“It’s perfect. I need to be at my desk by two o’clock, anyway.”

The coffee shop was just as colorful and whimsical as the Fairy Forest. After they’d found a mushroom-shaped table and placed their order, Dave watched Beth update her notebook.

“You’re different here,” he said to her. “You’re more relaxed.”

Beth looked up and frowned. “Am I?”

“You laugh more.” Dave tilted his head to one side. “You stand differently and you’re more confident.”

Beth’s cheeks turned pink. “Maybe it’s because I feel happy here. Daniella employed my daughter as a part-time assistant when Kayla was in high school. She had so much fun that I automatically feel at ease. Although, I did help at a children’s birthday party one time when they didn’t have enough staff. Let’s just say that it made me appreciate how hard it is working with large groups of children and their parents.”

The waitress left their coffees on the table, and Dave slid one across to Beth. “I’d like to hear that story sometime.”

“No, you wouldn’t. It’s not flattering.” Beth smiled at him in an easy, unguarded way.

For a moment neither of them said anything. The silence wasn’t awkward. It simply felt comfortable.

Dave couldn’t remember the last time silence had felt like company instead of emptiness. His hand tightened around the coffee cup. He was enjoying Beth’s company more with each passing day. When the arts center was finished, he’d feel the loss of not working with her more deeply than he had a right to.

“Thank you for coming to the Fairy Forest,” Beth said. “I know it isn’t your kind of place.”

“It’s growing on me,” Dave said, and he meant it in more ways than one. “And you were right. It has lots of ideas we can try.”

After their sandwiches arrived, they talked about the arts center, the work they still had to do, and the schedule that Beth was keeping a close eye on.

Dave smiled as she chewed the end of her pencil. Beth was worried about two classes she’d booked for the week of the opening. If they were even a couple of days behind, one of the classes would have to be postponed. And knowing some of the councilors, that would give them ammunition to halt any future funding for the center’s programs.

After reassuring Beth that everything was going to plan, Dave ordered two slices of cake and listened to Beth talk about some furniture she’d ordered.

After she’d shown him some photos on her cell phone, Beth smiled. “You’re a good man, Dave.”

His eyes widened. “Because I like the color of the chairs you’ve chosen?”

Beth laughed. “No, it isn’t that. It’s because you’re a good listener.”

Dave fiddled with the handle of his cup, aware of exactly how much rested on what he said next. “I think you’re a good person, too, Beth. Would you like to have dinner with me sometime? I’d understand if you’re too busy. It must be difficult balancing the arts center with all the other⁠—”

“Okay,” Beth said quickly, interrupting all the reasons she might want to turn him down. “But just as friends.”

Friends he could do. Friends meant he wasn’t throwing himself headfirst into a relationship he knew could be important. “How does tomorrow night sound? I’m not much of a cook, but I could make homemade burgers on my grill.”

“That sounds perfect,” Beth assured him. “I’ll bring dessert. Is six o’clock okay?”

Dave nodded and smiled. “I’m looking forward to it already.”

Beth looked down at her watch and frowned. “I didn’t realize we’d been here so long. I’m sorry, Dave. I have to go. I’ve got a meeting with the historical society in ten minutes.”

Dave stood and helped her with her jacket. “It doesn’t matter. It’s time I headed back to work, too. I’ll give you my address tomorrow.”

Beth nodded and hurried out of the Fairy Forest.

Dave sat at the table for a few more minutes before leaving. He turned the last hour over in his mind the way he turned over a difficult piece of framing. He looked for the load-bearing part, the piece that was holding the rest of it up.