Page 73 of Here & Now

Sixteen

Zane traded his Sanibel Outfitters T-shirt and cargo shorts for a collared polo shirt and pleated khaki shorts. Instead of flip-flops, he wore docksiders. This was about as dressy as he got. He plucked the bookstore bag off the counter and sailed out the door.

As he crossed her driveway, he thought how convenient it would be to date someone who lived right next door. He doubted that she considered this a date, but he did, or at least, he wished it were.

He went up to the front door and knocked.

“Just a second,” she called.

He smoothed down the front of his polo shirt and waited. When she opened the door, she was wearing a sundress with an apron over it and the same wedged sandals he’d seen her wear before. She looked beautiful.

“Hi,” he said.

“Hi. C’mon in.”

As he stepped inside, he detected the scent of her soft, flowery perfume and garlic and herbs from whatever she was cooking. “It smells great in here.”

“I hope it tastes as good as it smells.”

She seemed to have no idea he was referring to her too.

He pulled the bag out of his back pocket and held it out. “Instead of flowers, I brought you this.”

She smiled. “It’s from the bookstore.”

“Open it.”

She slid the bookmark out of the bag and read it aloud. “Enjoy the next chapter.” She looked up at him with misty eyes.

“Oh no. It wasn’t supposed to make you cry.”

She flapped a hand in front of her face. “Sorry. I don’t know why I’m so emotional.”

“It’s okay, as long as you like it.”

“I love it. Thank you. I have wine in the kitchen if you’d like some.”

“Sounds great.”

He followed her into the kitchen and, at her direction, sat at the table while she poured them each a glass of wine. Then she sat across from him.

“The lasagna has to cool for a few minutes, and then we can eat.”

“No rush.” He gazed at her as he drank his wine. She seemed different tonight, a little less guarded.

She took a sip and gazed back at him. “I met with Scott Duggan.”

“I know.”

She raised her eyebrows but didn’t look angry.

“I saw his car in your driveway.” He didn’t add that he’d overheard their conversation on the lanai.

“I haven’t decided if I’m going to hire him yet.”

“How come?”

“I might meet with a couple more agents first.”