AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He paused on the landing, which opened to one large room. “This is perfect for an office.”
The windows provided a view of the street and the water beyond.
I didn’t ask if he planned to run the store or if he’d hire a manager. I didn’t want to get my hopes up.
“What do you think?”
He turned to face me. “I’ll take it.”
I moved closer to him. “I thought you’d love it.”
He stepped closer. “This is the first time we’ve been alone since that night.”
I tipped my head slightly to the side, a hint of a challenge in the raise of my brow as if to say, “What are you going to do about it?”
“Since you walked into my life, you’ve turned it upside down. I never thought I’d want to come back here and stay.”
“Even though Chestertown is good for your soul?” I knew it without him even needing to tell me.
“I think it might be you that’s good for my soul.” He cupped my cheeks and kissed me softly.
I braced my hands on his chest as heat bloomed in my chest. No one had ever said anything so beautiful to me before.
“I want this space. I want to open a store. But I want to spend more time with you. Can I take you to lunch?”
“Let’s get the offer to the sellers, and then I’m free for lunch. Do you want to go to the pub or the restaurant on the water?” I asked as I led the way down the stairs.
“Which do you prefer?”
“I like the pub.” I wondered if he had more expensive tastes. It wasn’t a deal breaker, but I liked a down-to-earth guy.
“Let’s get the paperwork done. I want to lock this place down.”
I naively hoped he’d want to lock me down, too. When the paperwork was done, we went to the pub, which was busy with locals eating and watching TVs on the walls showing sports highlights. “The crab cakes here are the best I’ve ever had.”
Easton raised a brow. “That’s a high endorsement.”
We both got the crab cakes that were essentially balls of lump crab meat. There was so much it kept falling off my plate. There was none of the filler that other restaurants used in their sandwiches.
When Easton was done, he leaned back and placed a hand over his stomach. “That was the best crab cake I’ve ever eaten.”
“I told you.” I smiled, pleased that I could impress him with my small town when Annapolis boasted mostly seafood restaurants that offered the same fare.
He looked around the dining area appreciatively. “I could see myself settling down here.”
“Your house has a perfect water view yet privacy with the trees. The front has a cozy cottage feel with a dirt lane, the foliage, and the leaves that always dot the ground. Sorry, I’m forever a realtor.”
His knowing gaze met mine. “Are you selling your grandfather’s place?”
I shrugged like it didn’t matter. “Logan and I inherited it, so probably. We’ll split the proceeds.”
Maybe I’d finally buy my dream home on the water. I’d been saving for something more to my taste for a long time.
“You should rent it out.”
“I don’t know if I could do that.” It would spoil my plans.
“In the long run, you’ll earn more money.”
