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“I’d like to see you again.” My heart thudded painfully under my rib cage at my admission. I’d left myself vulnerable, especially since we hadn’t discussed anything past last night.
His gaze was unwavering. “I live in Annapolis.”
I shook my head. “I know it’s crazy. And I have no right to ask, but I had fun this weekend. There’s something here.”
“I had fun too.” He ripped his gaze from mine, stubbing the ground with the toe of his shoe. “I don’t do this.”
“Relationships?” I wasn’t surprised. Detached was written all over him.
“Connections with other people. I hold myself apart.”
“I can see that. But do you think there’s something worth pursuing here?”
He nodded. “Today was unexpected. Last night was amazing.”
His words warmed me from the inside out.
“There’s something about you.” He lifted his head, slowly brushing a strand of hair that had blown in my face away.
“I want to get to know you.”
Finally, he said softly, “Me too.”
I smiled, and it was like everything had fallen away. There was just us and the possibility for more. The future dawned brighter than it had before. I wasn’t just a single mother running her own business. Maybe I’d found someone to share my days with. Even if our realities were working against us.
“You’re going back soon?” Logan moved closer to us.
It was probably his way of asking about Easton’s intentions.
“Actually, I’m in town to see about opening a second shop.”
With surprised, my gaze flew to his. “You are?”
He hadn’t mentioned anything about that. I wondered if I’d prompted him to pursue it finally.
“I’ve been thinking about opening a second location for a while, and Chestertown would be the perfect place for it.”
“Especially since you’re local. I think you’d have a lot of support in the community,” Ashley said.
Easton nodded solemnly. “This place is like a second home to me.”
I wondered if he had anyone to share his ideas with or if he was truly alone. Was there a possibility we could build something together? I wouldn’t get ahead of myself. We needed to get to know each other better. Relationships were more than compatibility in bed and one family outing.
“You’re sticking around then?” Logan asked.
“I have a manager I trust to run my Annapolis store. I have some time to explore possible locations. You know a good realtor?” With that last sentence, Easton looked at me expectedly.
“I do, actually,” Logan said, and I knew that was his endorsement of Easton.
He’d already seen Easton interact with Maddie, and he’d been a natural despite his lack of experience with kids.
“There’s a couple of possibilities in town if that’s what you’d like.”
“I’d love to see them.”
“I’ll arrange some visits this week.” I was looking forward to spending more time with him. I’d made assumptions in the past, mistakenly assuming the father of my child would want to co-parent, and I’d been dead wrong. I wouldn’t make the same mistake again. I needed to be cautious.
* * *
