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“I didn’t think you were prying, Marlowe. But it would have been fine if you were. I’ve learned that in this town, butting into everyone else’s business is kind of the norm.”

I giggled. Shit, when was the last time I actually giggled?

“You’re right about that. I’ve only been living here for three weeks, and I swear that half the town knows my name and has read my resume.”

He frowned. “Read your resume?”

“I applied to be the new high school math teacher. The school board had to vote. Apparently, the vote was during a public meeting and they read my resume out loud. The way Lettie tells it, there were a lot of opinions.”

I watched as Beau’s brother almost smiled.

“There were? What was the consensus?”

“Well, I got the job, but a lot of people wanted to see a picture of me. They were worried that a pretty, single female might be too distracting for their boys.”

“They must not have had a picture handy, since you’re not pretty, you’re beautiful.”

I rolled my eyes. “Geesh, let’s not go overboard. And anyway, none of the boys in my classes ever found me to be a distraction in the past.”

“Sure, they haven’t,” he teased. “Instead, they’ve all been lining up for extra credit and extra tutoring.”

Damn. He was right. “Umm, I think I need to go in and check-in with Gretchen. Lettie told me that there were some great running trails around here that I could take my dog on.”

This time Beau actually did smile, and what a smile it was. He had laugh lines that fanned out at his eyes, and his teeth gleamed white like he was some kind of model.

“Enjoy your run.”

“What about you? It looks like you’re suited up for a run.”

“Cycling. My running days are over. These days I road ride, less impact. My bike’s over there.” He pointed to a bright green gravel bike leaning up against the stairs.

“Injury?”

He nodded.

“Damn, that’s a tough break. I’m sorry, but at least you can ride.”

“That’s how I see it.”

“Enjoy your day.”

He didn’t move, instead he continued to stare at me.

Please ask me out. Please ask me out.

“I don’t suppose you’d like to grab lunch sometime?”

I stopped myself from doing a fist pump.

“I would absolutely love to grab lunch sometime.” I grinned.

“I don’t have my phone with me.”

I turned around and opened the driver’s side door and fished my phone out of my purse. “Give me your number, and I’ll call it, then you’ll have mine.” He gave me his number and I dialed it.

“You free tomorrow?” he asked.

Oh boy was I.