Page 5 of From This Moment (After We Fall 4)
Hannah had beamed. “Which pie?”
“Uh, the pecan one maybe?” From where I sat at the counter, I glanced over at the display case.
“The Salted Caramel Pecan? Sure, I can make one of those for you.”
“You make them?”
Her cheeks colored and she dropped her eyes to her hands as she refilled my coffee cup, her lashes fanning over her cheeks. She had the longest, prettiest eyelashes I’d ever seen. “Yes. And the ice cream too.”
“Are you serious?”
Her grin was wide and a little sheepish, but I could tell she was proud. “Yes. And the muffins and cinnamon rolls and cake pops.”
“You should have your own bakery or something.”
She set the
cup down in front of me and shrugged. “I don’t have much of a head for business. I just like the baking part. The creative part.”
“Well, my mother is going to go crazy. She’s from the South and claims you can’t find a decent pecan pie north of the Mason Dixon line.”
Hannah’s smile faded fast. “She doesn’t bake her own, does she? Because if she does, you can’t bring my pie home. She’ll be insulted.”
“Really?”
She nodded solemnly, her eyes wide.
“Huh. Okay. I guess I won’t then.”
“Sorry. I’m just trying to protect you. My mother is that way about her meat sauce.” She brightened. “But I’d be happy to bake something at your request any time. How was everything tonight?”
“Great.” I think you’re beautiful.
“How’s the studying going?”
“Fine.” Go out with me.
“You’ll be done soon, huh?”
“A few more weeks.” So we don’t have much time.
“And then what?” She leaned on her elbows across the counter in front of me, and I tried not to stare at her mouth.
“Then residency. I’m heading to Texas.” And if I leave without kissing you, I’ll always wonder.
“Will you stay in Texas when you’re done?”
“Probably not. I’d like to work for Doctors Without Borders.”
“Wow.” She straightened, picking up my plate and setting it down behind the counter, and sighed. “I really admire that. If I was smart enough to become a doctor like you, I’d do something like that.”
“You’re smart enough to do anything you want.”
“You’re sweet to say that, but I’m really not book smart. I had to work really hard to get B’s in school, and I didn’t do very well in college. I didn’t even finish.”
“But you’re…” Fuck, now what do I say? My heart was thumping so hard. What I wanted to say was, You’re people smart. You make everyone who comes in here feel good just by talking to them. And you have a beautiful voice. And you make the best pies known to man. Fuck book smarts. You’re amazing.
But the words wouldn’t come.
