Page 16 of Sultry Nights

Sid laughed. "No."

Quinn nodded and rocked back on his heels. "So, I have a date tonight."

Sid's eyes rounded. He stared at his friend for a long time. Quinn squirmed a little bit under the scrutiny.

"You have a date?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I have a date. Hanna Valentine from the bakery."

Sid chuckled. "Yeah, the cinnamon roll woman. Damn, she knows how to make an excellent cinnamon roll. Grace has been feeding me those for a couple weeks now."

He patted his stomach. "I'm gonna be fat before the wedding. Hope she knows what she's getting into with this."

Quinn laughed. "Yeah, Jared's pretty hooked on those cinnamon rolls, too. I have to admit they are good."

Sid nodded. "They sure as hell are. So you got a date with her. I can't believe it. How long has it been?"

"Yeah. I have a date. It kind of came about by accident. She was bringing fresh bread into Jace's this morning when I was there, and I don't know." He shrugged and looked at the blacktop beneath his feet. "It just kind of came out of my mouth."

Sid laughed. "Yeah, I remember that. When I met Grace, it was like my mouth had a mind of its own. Things came out of my mouth. I didn't expect to come out."

Quinn nodded. "Yeah, that's kind of what I mean."

"So, what are you gonna do? Where are you gonna take her?"

Quinn shrugged. "Shit, I haven't even thought of that. I suppose I’ll just take her to the Sandbar."

Sid shook his head. "That's lame. Don't take her there. Not that there's anything wrong with the Sandbar, and don't tell Jace I said that. But you won't be able to talk while you're there. Everybody in town knows you. They'll be stopping to talk. Unless that's what you're looking for."

Quinn shrugged. "I don't know what I'm looking for. I guess not that, though. I'd like to spend time talking to get to know her."

"That's what I'm saying. So take her out to the Supper Club."

"Oh, that's a good idea. Okay." He thought a moment, then nodded. "Yep." Inhaling a deep breath, he let it out in a whoosh. "I'm nervous. Can you tell?"

Sid laughed. "Yes, I can tell. But I remember it well. I was where you were not long ago. But that first date with Grace, that was the best thing that ever happened to me."

"Well, I'm not looking to get married or anything. I just kind of miss the female company, you know?"

Sid laughed. "I do know. I do know exactly. Enjoy it. She's a good girl. I don't know much about her.”

“From what I understand, she had moved out of town after high school, went to college, and never came back until recently, I guess about a month ago or something. Her mom ran the bakery all this time. But I think what I heard was she can't handle it anymore, Mom I mean. So Hanna came back and is running the bakery now."

"That sounds about right, I guess, from the little things I've been hearing. Okay. Well, let me know what I have to wear for the wedding. And I'll let you know how the date goes."

Sid chuckled. "It'll go fine. Be yourself. You're a great guy, Quinn. One of my best friends. I want only the best for you. If Hanna is as smart as I'm hearing, she'll see that and know it too."

9

Hanna finished up the dishes in the bakery, and ran to grab her little floral overnight bag that she'd packed clean clothes in. Hurrying to the bathroom, she freshened up, added a little bit of lip gloss and some mascara, and nervously inspected herself in the mirror. It's good. She's good. It's all good.

She brushed her hair out, letting it fall over her shoulders, and headed into the kitchen to dry the dishes she'd just washed.

After putting everything away, she wiped down the counter and held her stomach one more time as nerves made her a little queasy.

Hearing a truck outside, she twisted her fingers together as she stepped to the front door.

Opening the door for Quinn, she smiled as he stepped inside. "You look beautiful."

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