Page 75 of The Birthday List (Maysen Jar 1)

“What? That’s it?”

I nodded and reached into my pocket for a twenty. “That’s it. Thank you.”

Handing him the cash, I got out of the cab and walked back inside the restaurant, where Molly was waiting.

“So?” she asked. “How was it?”

“My one-minute cab ride? Expensive.”

She laughed. “Well, at least that one was easy. Now you can cross it off the list.”

Through the windows, I kept my eyes on the cab as he pulled back onto the street. “Jamie would have thought that was hysterical. He probably would have videoed the entire thing to post on Facebook.”

“And he probably would have dressed up in a suit or something, pretending to be a secret agent.”

I nodded. “Yep. He would have mapped out this entire route for me to drive so he could follow me all over town and end up at this sketchy place. He would have planned this epic chase.”

“I think you’re right.”

Molly and I shared a sad smile. Our little adventure had been tame compared to what my husband would have planned, but I was still glad that we’d done it together.

“Okay. Back to work.” She turned and walked toward the counter.

“Yes, boss.” I’d taken three steps away from the door when it opened behind us. I glanced over my shoulder and stopped when I saw Cole.

“Hi.” My smile got bigger as my breath hitched.

It felt freeing to enjoy the hitch. To enjoy the acceleration of my heartbeat and the jitters I got when he was near. Because now that I’d laid it out there—now that I’d admitted to Cole my feelings—I’d given myself permission to enjoy it all.

What I’d told him was true. I’d thought a lot about him in the weeks after my trip to Kyle and Debbie’s ranch. And though a part of me had thought life would be easier if I just cut him out, I couldn’t do it.

During those two weeks, I’d found myself typing texts that I’d never sent. I’d made him special dinners that he’d never come to eat. And I’d realized life was too short to miss out on something . . . anything.

Because that was the point of Jamie’s list. Not missing out.

So I wasn’t going to miss this with Cole.

“Hi.” He studied my face as he caught up to my side.

“What?” I stopped smiling so I could run my tongue over my teeth. I couldn’t feel anything, but I kept my lips tight when I asked, “Do I have something stuck in my teeth?”

He smiled and shook his

head. “No. It’s just nice to see that smile. I haven’t gotten to see it much lately.”

My cheeks flushed as my smile came back. “That’s sweet.”

He nodded. “Sweet on you.”

“Aww!” Molly swooned as she appeared at my side. “Say something else like that. I’m living vicariously through your romance.”

“Ignore her,” I told Cole, grabbing Molly’s hand before she could start petting him. “Weren’t you just saying we needed to get back to work?”

“Slave driver,” she grumbled as I dragged her to the counter.

Behind us, Cole chuckled as he followed.

The restaurant was empty—hence our cab ride—but soon the takeout crowd would be coming in to pick up meals on their way home from work and the dinner rush would be in full swing. But for now, Molly, Helen and I were enjoying the lull and getting caught up on prep work.