Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 111400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
“Why’s that?”
“My mother was singing her favorite tune. It’s called All the Reasons You’re Still Single. I swear to God, I might strangle her in her sleep one night. Or smother her with a pillow. Is that more humane?”
He laughed. “I’m not sure I can recommend homicide, but would a beer help? Or a glass of wine?”
“It might.”
“Why don’t you come in? Or better yet, let’s avoid both our mothers. Why don’t we escape our houses and go out for a drink?”
For a few seconds, I couldn’t breathe. Had Cole just asked me out?
“That sounds like fun,” I said, attempting to sound casual while inside I lost my shit completely.
“Have you eaten yet?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“Me neither. Let’s grab a bite in town.”
I glanced at my clothes. “Do you mind if I clean up a little first?”
“Not at all, but I actually dig the Queen sweatshirt.”
I burst out laughing. “Thank you. My mother just insulted it.”
“Don’t listen to her. But I have to change too. Why don’t you text me when you’re ready?”
“Okay. I might need like half an hour. Is that okay?”
“Sure. See you in a bit.”
“See you in a bit.” I hopped off the porch and headed down the driveway, crunching over the inch or two of snow that had accumulated today, although what I really felt like doing was cartwheeling through it. Dancing on it. Scooping up giant armfuls of it and tossing it over my head like glitter.
Cole and I were going out for dinner! Alone! Together! And he’d done the asking!
Not that this was an official first date or anything, but it was something.
It was something.
Five
Cole
For a moment, I stood on the back porch watching her walk away. It struck me then what I’d done—I’d asked her on a date.
Part of me wanted to call out to her, tell her to forget it, apologize for suggesting we go out tonight and explain that I couldn’t go through with it because I didn’t really date. Another part of me thought that was ridiculous. This didn’t have to be a date. It could be two friends going to grab a bite to eat and a beer. Totally casual.
Not that such a thing was possible in this town. If I so much as chatted with a woman at the deli counter at noon, by five o’clock the rumor would be circulating that I was about to propose. Bellamy Creek was a wonderful place, full of old-fashioned traditions and good-hearted people, but the only thing those people loved more than helping their neighbors was spreading rumors about them.
And one of those people was washing dishes at the kitchen sink as I entered the kitchen.
“How was your day?” asked my mother.
“Good.” I took my boots off at the back door as my brother and I had been trained to do our whole lives, so we wouldn’t track snow through the kitchen.
“I made beef barley soup for dinner. Can I get you a bowl?”
“No, thanks. I’m going to go grab a bite in town if that’s okay.”
“Of course, dear. With the boys?” She still referred to my friends as the boys even though we were thirty-three years old.
I cleared my throat. “No, with Cheyenne, actually.”
“Oh.” A pause as she digested this. “She was just here.”
“I know. I saw her outside.” I made my way across the kitchen quickly, hoping to get out of the room without having to discuss it further.
No such luck.
“So is this a date?” she asked.
“Nope, it’s just dinner. She’s been so great with Mariah lately,” I added. “I thought I’d treat her to say thanks.”
“Oh. Well, that’s nice of you.”
I could hear from her tone of voice that she thought there was more to it, but I left the kitchen before she could prod any further.
Before heading upstairs, I poked my head into the living room, where Mariah was watching television. “Hey, you.”
She looked up at me and smiled. “Hi, Daddy.”
“How was school?”
“Good. Did you hear back from Uncle Enzo? Can we go see the new houses?”
“Yep. We have three appointments on Friday.”
Her face lit up. “Really?”
“Really.”
“Are we seeing the one with the doghouse?”
“We sure are.”
“Yay! I’m excited,” she said.
“Me too.” I started up the stairs, then paused. “Hey, is it okay with you if I go out for a little bit tonight?”
“Sure. Where are you going?”
“Just to get something to eat with Miss Cheyenne.”
“Can I come too?” she asked hopefully.
“Not this time, kiddo.”
“Why not?”
I felt guilty trying to come up with a reason. “We just need a little grown-up time.”
“Oh. Okay.” Her disappointment was obvious.
“But we still have our movie date Friday night, don’t we?”
She brightened again. “Yes. Hey, maybe we can invite Miss Cheyenne to come to the movies with us!”
“Maybe,” I said, continuing up the stairs, careful not to commit. People would really start to talk if they saw the three of us at the movies.