Page 136 of Pumpkin Spice Promises

“That is how time works.”

Meme stepped between us. “Take her before she changes her mind.”

“Meme.”

“She’s been ready for twenty minutes.”

Carson’s green eyes widened in surprise at her grandmother.

“I hate you.”

“Love you too.” Meme patted her arm affectionately as she walked past us and closed the front door with a wink.

Carson waited until we were several feet away before muttering, “She’s unbearable.”

“I like her.”

“That’s because you don’t live with her.”

We reached my truck and I opened the passenger door. She looked at me, biting her bottom lip as her eyes latched onto my hand holding the door open.

“What?”

“I can open a door.”

“I know.”

“Then why⁠—”

“It’s a date, sweetheart.”

She stopped blushing as her eyes found mine. I nodded toward the open door. “Let me have one thing.”

Her mouth curved with the smallest hint of a smile, and she climbed into the truck. I shut the door before she could argue further. By the time I got behind the wheel, she was adjusting the heat despite the outside temperature still being well into the seventies.

“You cold?”

“No.”

“You’re turning the heat up.”

“I like warm air.”

“So you’re cold then?”

“No, so where are we going?” she asked, leaving me confused about the heater being on as I started the engine.

“Dinner.”

“I figured as much, but where?”

“Rosie’s.”

Her head turned. “The tavern?”

“Yes.”

She stared for a second, then looked forward again. “That’s brave of you.”