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“Oh really? Nosy about what?”
He looks at me for a beat and says, “He wanted to know if you were going to make him any more cookies before you skip town.”
I sit up straight in my chair and pack my things. “Oh, gosh. We don’t have much time. I’ll go make him cookies right now!”
Cash stills me with a hand on my knee. “Don’t you go fussing over Dad now. At this point, he’s just milking it.”
I wave him off. “Oh, he’s just a sweet old man who’s been through the wringer. If the man wants cookies, I’ll bring him cookies. I just have to run to the store in the Soo for a few things…”
Cash pinches the bridge of his nose. “Caroline, you’re supposed to be getting ready for our date.”
“In seven hours! That’s plenty of time to go to town for some groceries. How long do you think it takes to bake cookies?”
“I have no idea. Four hours.”
The chortle from me brings back that humorless stare from earlier in the week, and I only laugh harder.
“Suppose you come help me, and I’ll show you,” I say, sliding the arch of my foot up the outside of his calf.
“That sounds fun, but I’ve gotta mow the grass, and then Matthew and Josh are helping me put a fresh coat of exterior sealant on the place.”
I give a shoulder shimmy and say, “Ooh, you better not be one of those guys who cuts grass shirtless. How will I ever be able to concentrate on my word quota?”
Cash leans in and murmurs in my ear, “You just keep thinking about what you’re wearing under those leggings, and I’m sure you’ll find some inspiration.”
Before I can stop myself, I blurt, “Oops. I showered and changed. I’m not wearing them anymore.”
“You what?” Cash looks just as annoyed with me as when we first met.
Innocently, I pick up a spoon and take a bite of the coffee ice cream.
“I couldn’t face hanging out with your mother,” I hiss just loud enough for Cash to hear, “while I’m wearing…you know…”
His jaw ticking, Cash levels me with a stern gaze, making my pulse race and everything throb between my thighs. “Since you don’t know how to listen, you’ll have consequences tonight.”
Ooh. First payback and now consequences. He’s been reading my books.
“Looking forward to it,” I say.
He replies with a long, drugging kiss that makes me forget my name and what year it is.
I write a lot about kisses that make people stupid, but it’s a real thing.
And it’s the most fantastic sort of high.
ChapterThirteen
Cash
I arriveat Caroline’s cabin at 7 p.m. sharp.
She wears a long, flowing polka-dot sundress that makes me want to back her straight back into the cabin and throw her down on the bed.
But I don’t do that.
I want to date her and treat her right before things go any further. I want her to know that I’m serious about her. And I want her to have one last night here on Paradise Lane, a night to remember.
She takes the little gift bag I hold out to her with a wide grin.
