Page 34 of The Birchwood House

“What do you mean, a date?” Harper asked, leaning forward gleefully. “Like he asked you out on a date?”

“I need details,” Penelope said, grinning impishly. “This is the best enemies-to-lovers plot twist I’ve ever heard in my life.”

Audrey shook her head, blushing. “Slow down, it was just a little date. Yes, he asked me out, but it’s not like—I mean, don’t act like we’re the next local romance or something.”

“So you don’t think you’re the next local romance?” Harper asked, nibbling her muffin. “The date didn’t go well?”

“No, it’s not that the date didn’t go well,” Audrey said slowly. “I mean, it did and it didn’t, but?—”

“What went well?” Penelope prompted, her eyes twinkling.

“Well, he—he bought me lemonade and fudge, both of which tasted amazing. And we played a few games. He’s actually really fun to be around. He’s got this amazing smile?—”

“Oh, he does, does he?” Harper squealed, clapping her hands together. “You’re blushing, Audrey.”

“Oh my gosh.” Audrey unfolded her napkin and held it in front of her face like a mini curtain. “I mean, it wasn’t that great of a date.”

“But he’s got a great smile,” Penelope prompted, clearly trying to nudge more juicy details out of her friend. “And he was fun?”

“Yeah, he made me laugh. He was goofy, which I wasn’t expecting. But the flea market itself was fun,” Audrey added, wanting to backpedal and stop making such a fuss about her date with Evan, despite how excited her friends were. “It was just the kind of thing that would have been enjoyable with anyone.”

“Hmm. Sounds like you like him.” Penelope popped another piece of her lemon-filled doughnut into her mouth.

“It sounds like you’re anxious, actually,” Harper said softly, her perceptive green eyes glinting with sympathy. “How come?”

Audrey smiled at her, grateful for how insightful she was. “I’m not necessarily anxious, but I am—well, not worried exactly, but just kind of unsure. I mean, the ashes of my marriage are still smoking. Am I really ready to start dating again?”

Penelope nodded appreciatively at her metaphor. “I think that’s the kind of thing where you become ready little by little. Sure, you’re not ready to get married again right now, but I think you are ready to go out on a date. After all, you said yes, didn’t you? I don’t think you’re the type of person who would go on a date unless you actually wanted to.”

Audrey nodded. “That’s true. But you can want something and not want it at the same time. Emotions are complicated. So is dating.”

“True, but I think Penelope’s got a good point.” Harper took a thoughtful sip of her latte. “You don’t need to feel all kinds of pressure about this date. All relationships can move at different paces, and if you want to start something with Evan but take things slow, just communicate that to him.”

“I second that,” Penelope said, smiling warmly at Audrey. “There’s nothing wrong with enjoying this experience. You don’t need to know all the answers yet. You don’t need to know anything at all yet! It’s okay to just have fun and let yourself be attracted to him and see where it goes.” She made a goofy face, but Audrey detected a trace of actual bitterness in her eyes. “Sometimes you never know where a relationship will lead. Half the time I don’t even know what the future of my marriage holds.”

Despite Penelope’s playful attitude, Audrey could sense that her friend was truly upset deep down. She took Penelope’s hand and squeezed it.

“I don’t want to talk about me too much,” she said. “I don’t want to be insensitive, chatting on about something that isn’t even really a thing yet.”

Penelope shook her head. “Don’t feel like that. We always love to talk about whatever’s going on in each other’s lives, and you have the floor right now. Besides, it’s actually fun to live vicariously through you and remember more care-free times.”

Audrey smiled and nodded, understanding what her friend meant and wanting to be supportive. Inside, however, she was shaking her head.

I guess in a lot of ways my predicament is easier than wading through the murky waters of marriage problems,she thought,but this feels anything but carefree. I don’t know what to do moving forward. I’m not even sure how I feel about him—and I’m definitely not sure how I feel about dating anyone right now.

She took a sip of her caramel macchiato, finding that she enjoyed it a great deal more now that she’d shared her news with her friends. She found herself hoping that she would get a chance to see Evan again, feeling that would be helpful. She would probably know what she wanted better if she had the man standing in front of her.

She crossed her fingers under the table, hoping that another interaction with Evan would happen organically, and she wouldn’t have to seek him out. Seeking him out felt like a decision, and she didn’t feel ready to make any decisions connected with Evan McBride yet.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Evan straightened the papers on his desk and stood up. He’d lingered in the office for an extra hour, but he’d been unable to concentrate on work, and for the first time since he’d had the stomach flu, he was leaving the office before six o’clock in the evening.

He glanced back at the stack of papers before leaving the office. He had more than enough time to deal with them the next day but leaving work unfinished on his desk was something he simply didn’t do. He took a half-step toward the papers, telling himself he was going to just do the work quickly and then leave, but he stopped himself.

I can do it tomorrow,he told himself firmly.Right now, I need to deal with the problem that’s been making noise inside my brain all day.

The problem was Audrey. Her beautiful eyes and her lusciously curly hair and the way she made him feel as though having fun was actually something worth his time. Ever since their date at the flea market, he’d been thinking about her.