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“Sure,” she says, cutting her pancake in tiny pieces. “By the way, since I was the one who told him where you live, I technically also saved Mort.”

“About that.” I point my fork at her as I swallow a bite of my hash brown. “How about you don’t give my address out to strangers?”

“Oh, please.” She rolls her eyes. “He’s not a stranger. It’s just Hayden. And I gave him an earful about abandoning you, so you’re welcome.”

“Just Hayden my ass. You were the one who told me to stay away from him.”

“Yes, because he’s a fuckboy and former troublemaker, not because he’s a serial killer.” She laughs. “I didn’t want you to get romantically attached to him or anything, but I didn’t mean he was a threat to your safety.”

“Whatever,” I mumble, taking another sip of my water.

“What I don’t understand,” Kora continues with a smirk, “is why you got out of his car at ten in the morning. Does that mean you were with him all night?”

“Of course not. He left around midnight, but he said he’d give me a ride into town today since I’m without transportation.”

“Let me recap,” she says skeptically. “He left late at night, then came back in the morning to give you a ride?”

“Exactly.” I shake my head at her. “You have to get your mind out of the gutter.”

“Nah, it’s more fun when it’s in the gutter.” She shrugs and finally starts eating her pancake. “Clearly he harbors no feelings for you either.”

“Haha, very funny. He was just being nice after what happened. Can we change the topic now?”

My phone buzzes in my bag, and I reach for it, expecting an update from the vet. But I’m surprised to see a text message from Hayden. I open it, and I can’t help the warm feeling that spreads across my chest. He sent a picture of my car with the hood wide open, and it’s clear he’s been working on it. Probably ever since he dropped me off at the diner. I see the text bubble indicating that he’s still typing. A moment later, another text comes through.

Hayden: Can I buy you dinner again tonight?

I try to keep my expression neutral, but Kora knows me too well and snags the phone from me before I get a chance to hide it.

“Wait,” I protest, but it’s too late.

She’s already looking at the text threat with a devious gleam in her eyes. “Yes, honey, he doesn’t like you at all,” she mocks, handing the phone back to me.

I chickened out when I replied to Hayden. Although I didn’t turn down his offer, I made it clear I only agreed so we can finally talk details about Darlene’s funeral. The two of us haven’t had a real planning session yet, mainly because I’ve tried to keep him out of the loop up until now.

And although I keep telling myself it’s not a date, I put on a little bit more makeup than usual, and instead of my go-to oversized T-shirt, I pick out a more formfitting top from my closet. It’s black and shaped like a corset, but with two dainty straps. I’m not going to lie; my boobs look phenomenal in it.

Hayden asked if I wanted to meet at a restaurant, but since I’m keeping up the pretense that this is only for work, mainly to keep my sanity, I told him to come over again.

Ten minutes before he is supposed to arrive, I pace up and down the living room, fixing cushions on the couch, desperately trying to not overthink. He was here yesterday, so I’m not sure why I’m suddenly nervous.

I catch my reflection in the big antique mirror tucked in the corner and pause. I’m definitely too dressed up. This top is too much. But just when I decide to go change, I hear a knock on the door.

Fuck. He’s early.

I take a deep breath and walk toward the door. It’s just a dinner to discuss plans. That’s all. There’s no way this is a date. I shouldn’t be so anxious.

When I open the door, I’m temporarily blinded by the glow of the evening sun that’s about to disappear behind the mountains in the distance.

My eyes adjust as I take in Hayden in front of me. His brown hair is slightly damp, as if he just came out of the shower, and he’s wearing a band T-shirt that’s snug enough to show off his muscular body.

He looks me up and down, and I can tell he’s checking me out too. “Hey there,” he says softly, his gaze locking with mine.

I’m transfixed for a moment before I catch myself. “Hey,” I breathe out, returning his smile.

We linger in the doorway for an awkward moment until he chuckles. “Can I come in?”

“Yes, sorry.” I clear my throat and step to the side.