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“Fancy bumping into you here,” Nate says from just a few feet away. He’s walking toward us, but I don’t see Rob.
Adjusting my grip on the pumpkin so it doesn’t fall, I look down at Noah next to me, and he looks at me in confusion. “Who’s that, Mom?”
“It’s just a friend of mine,” I say as we take a few steps away from the cashier, moving closer to Nate.
“Hi,” he says with an adorable grin on his face as Noah, my mom, and I all approach him.
“Hi.” My shaky voice betrays me, giving away my nervousness.
Nate looks at Noah and Mom. “Wow, you all picked out some great-looking pumpkins.”
“This one’s mine,” Noah says, pointing at the one in my hands. “It’s too heavy for me to carry.”
Nate’s eyebrows rise as he gives Noah his attention. “Well, you definitely have excellent taste in pumpkins. I have to say that’s probably one of the best-looking pumpkins I’ve ever seen.” Nate looks back at me and winks.
“How are you? I didn’t expect to see you here,” I ask.
His smile widens, and I can’t help but smile back. “I’m good. After you talked this place up yesterday, Rob and I decided to come check out all it had to offer.”
I nod. When I told him I hoped to see him this weekend, I didn’t think it was an actual possibility. After all, my only plans involve spending time with Noah and my mom. It was really just a polite thing for me to say … or perhaps, it was wishful thinking.
And now that wish has come true. In front of my son and mom.
Awkward.
Mom clears her throat. “Hi there,” she says, extending a hand for Nate to shake while holding her small pumpkin in the other. “I’m Shawna’s mom, Diane.”
Nate shakes her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Diane. I’m Nate. Can I hold that pumpkin for you?”
“Oh, no, I’m fine,” Mom replies. “It’s not heavy at all. But thanks for offering.”
“How do you know my mom?” Noah blurts, and we all turn and look at him.
“Oh, he comes into the bar sometimes,” I explain.
“Yeah, your mom’s restaurant serves the best lunch in the Pacific Northwest, so my partner and I like to eat there on our lunch break.”
Noah smiles and nods. “Yeah, they have good food there,” he agrees.
The pumpkin weighs heavy in my arms, and although I’m enjoying the fact that Nate is here, I want to speed things along. Not only do I want to set the pumpkin down but I also want to avoid an interrogation from Mom later about this new male friend of mine.
“Can I hold that pumpkin for you?” Nate asks me. “Yours is definitely heavier than your mom’s.”
As much as I’d love to set this heavy thing down, I’m also too stubborn to let Nate know it’s too heavy. I’m perfectly capable of holding it myself. “No. I’m fine, but thanks. We were just going to take these to the car and then come back to play some games.”
He nods. “Sounds fun.”
“Wanna play with us?” Noah asks, and I whip my head to look at him.
Nate chuckles, presumably at my reaction to Noah’s question. I’m shocked he asked Nate to join us. It usually takes him a while to warm up to someone he just met.
“I’d love to join you,” Nate replies, looking back at me. “I don’t want to impose, though.”
Before I can respond, Mom speaks up. I’m going to have whiplash from all this looking back and forth. “I think that would be nice. We’d love to have you join us.” Mom smiles sweetly at Nate.
What in the hell is happening right now?
Mom looks at me, still smiling. I give her a pointed look, then turn my attention back to Nate.
