Page 39 of A Cup of Autumn
He came up to her, making the galley kitchen seem even smaller. “Can I help with anything?”
Raine wanted him to move away from her. The woody scent of his soap or aftershave swirled around her head. She liked the smell, something she hadn’t noticed at the coffee shop.
“Do you mind getting glasses from the cabinet next to the sink?” She pointed to the one she meant. “There’s iced tea in the fridge and ice in the freezer if you want some.”
“Do you?”
“No, thanks. It’ll be cold enough for me.”
For two people who didn’t know each other, they worked well in the space they had, staying out of each other’s way and setting the table without any issues. The silence wasn’t awkward. She appreciated Keaton for not having to fill every second with words like Emmett did.
It was also weird to have a man in her house. The last time had been July when Emmett picked up his boxes. She wasn’t an introvert or a recluse, but she’d become that when not working.
How had that happened?
Going out alone isn’t much fun.
Come November, Raine needed to do something about that. Not date. The idea of joining a dating app made her nauseous, but maybe she would arrange a girls’ night with her friends. They used to have those. Callie and Taryn had their husbands now, but Anna and Pippa were single too.
“I’m ready,” he said finally.
Raine added Parmesan cheese and chili flakes to the table. “Same.”
Keaton pulled out her chair.
Okay, Raine could get used to this. As she sat, she grinned. “Such manners.”
“I try.” He sat in front of the other plate. “The pizza smells delicious.”
“It’s from the pizzeria on First Avenue. Convenient and good. Dig in.”
He took a slice of each kind. “Not sure who else you’re expecting tonight.”
“I got the largest size in case you had a big appetite. If not, I’ll have leftovers.”
“A good plan.”
“Timmy’s been on me about skipping meals.”
“Someone should be.” Keaton took a bite. “Delicious.”
A little bit of cheese hung on the side of his mouth, but she wasn’t sure which appeared tastier. That or his full, kissable lips.
Huh? Where had that come from?
As Raine gulped her iced tea, Keaton wiped his mouth. The cheese was gone, but those lips…
She took another sip, wishing the glass was full of ice.
“Callie mentioned you were from Seattle. Is that where your family lives?”
Raine picked up her glass and took a long sip of iced tea. She hated this question. Few knew the truth. “They did. I’m an only child. My parents are dead.”
His face fell. “Oh, Raine. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have—”
“It’s fine. Okay, not fine, but it happened five years ago. I miss them, and I still cry sometimes, but it’s not like it was.”
“I can’t imagine. My parents might annoy me at times, but—”
