Page 80 of A Cup of Autumn
“That look you two shared?” Timmy touched his chest. “A thousand heart-eye emojis rose to the ceiling. More than the Boo Bash is happening.”
“We’ve hung out.”
Timmy’s eyes narrowed. “Define hang out.”
“Dessert at Lawson’s and hiking to Silver Falls.”
“He mentioned dinner.”
“Hasn’t happened yet.”
“But it will. Are you sure this is a good idea? You said you would never do long distance again.”
“Don’t worry. It’s not like that with Keaton. He’s been upfront about looking for jobs and leaving Silver Falls. But this is good practice for when I’m ready to date again.”
“Practice, okay.” Timmy didn’t sound like he believed her. “Just be careful. I remember when you met Emmett, and you two came together fast. But I never saw you look at him the way you look at Keaton.”
“Gratitude,” she blurted. She was grateful for his help. That was all it could be, right?
Chapter Fifteen
On Sunday night,Keaton knocked on Raine’s front door. Pippa’s flower shop was closed, so he’d grabbed a bouquet of mixed flowers from the market. The vibrant flowers reminded him of Raine. She wore black or blue jeans and dark T-shirts to work, but her house was light and bright.
The door opened.
Raine wore a brown lace dress, topped with a black shawl, and brown ankle boots. He liked the look. This was the first time he’d seen her not in leggings or pants. Several long necklaces, all different, draped around her neck. Long dangling earrings graced her earlobes and the size of the other earrings got smaller as they went up her ears. Her hair was fluffier, almost curly. But her easy smile and warm eyes were his favorites.
“You’re stunning.” He remembered the bouquet and handed it to her. “These are for you.”
Her lips parted, and then a wide grin spread across her face. She sniffed the flowers. “They’re beautiful. Do I have time to put them in water?”
He nodded. “I’m early.”
“I planned for that.”
Huh? What did she mean by that?
“Come in.” She headed toward the kitchen where she removed a vase from the cabinet above the stove. She filled the vase with water, added the plant food that had come with the bouquet, clipped each stem using scissors, and placed the flowers in the vase. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.”
She was the beautiful one. “Is your dress vintage?”
“Sort of. It’s made from vintage pieces. I found an online store who makes dresses like these and fell in love. I don’t dress up much, but when I do I wear stuff like this.”
It sure beat a boring sweater set and skirt. Was it getting warm in here?
“Ready to go?” she asked.
He nodded. Maybe he’d feel more like himself when they arrived at the café.
Raine locked the door and then they headed toward his car. As he walked behind her, his gaze zeroed in on a vine tattoo that rose from her boot, wrapped around her calf, and snaked up beneath the hem of her dress. Initially he’d noticed her tattoos, but over the past month, he no longer saw them. They’d just been a part of her. But now that he saw this new one, he wondered how high it went or if there was a meaning behind it. That surprised him. He wasn’t into tattoos himself, but Raine’s intrigued him.
Okay, distracted him. And he had to admit her tattoos and jewelry appealed to him more than pearls.
*
The Falls Caféwas Raine’s favorite place to eat in Silver Falls. A bud vase with a single red rose and a flickering votive sat on the linen-covered tablecloth. The food had been mouthwateringly delicious, as usual. The service impeccable. But she’d never had a more enjoyable time than tonight.
The difference?
