Page 20 of Sultry Nights

Her full lips turned down in a slight frown and she finally answered her pesky phone. "Hello, this is Hanna?"

He watched as her face changed to one of concern. Her pretty brows furrowed. "I'm not responsible for Isaac's finances. You'll need to take it up with him."

She ended the call and shut her phone off. Her hands dropped into her lap and he felt bad for her. "Some of the crap you're still dealing with?"

Her eyes landed on his. "Yes. It's been a particularly bad week."

He nodded. "I'm sorry."

"It isn't your responsibility to be sorry. My dad will help me with this stuff and I'm going to do my best to not worry about Isaac and his many, many issues."

He chuckled. "See? That's what I'm talking about. The past is simply something we had to endure to get to the present."

She smiled. "I love that. That's going to be my mantra from this point forward."

Rather than turn onto the square, he asked, "Do you have your car in the back?"

"Yes. Thank you."

He turned onto the alley, which was named, Alley, and swept around the corner, pulling in next to Hanna's car. He'd made the decision earlier today that this was simply a first date. A chance for them to get to know each other. He was going to walk her to her car and bid farewell. No awkward first kiss.

He stepped out of his truck and hustled around to the passenger side. He smiled as he held his hand out. Her blue eyes were captivating. Such a deep blue framed in thick dark lashes. She was stunning. Her hair flowed around her shoulders in waves, framing a face that could grace any magazine cover or billboard. He didn't think she even knew how attractive she was. Maybe that was part of the appeal.

He helped her down from his truck. She pulled her keys from her purse and clicked the button on the fob and her car doors unlocked with a click.

He opened her driver's door and grinned. "It was a pleasure spending time with you. I do hope you'll join me again soon."

She seemed genuinely happy there'd be no awkwardness and smiled one of the prettiest smiles he'd seen on any human ever. "I would be happy to do so and thank you very much for dinner and great conversation."

She hesitated only a millisecond, then slid into the driver's seat of her SUV. He closed her door, nodded, and walked around to the driver's side of his truck. His chest puffed with pride as he climbed into his truck. It was a wonderful date. He was the perfect gentleman and the dawning of his next thought slightly surprised him. He wanted to have another date with Hanna Valentine. He wanted to spend time talking to her. He'd give it a day or so and stop in the bakery and ask her out again.

Hanna pulled away from the bakery. He then did the same but decided to stop in at the Sandbar and have a drink. Maybe things would have settled a bit and Jace had a moment to chat with him.

As he pulled into Sarge's, he noted the parking lot was full. Chances were Jace was busy, but he'd have a drink and check on the footings for the stage that had been set today. As he marched across the sand, he saw the freshly dug sand in piles and inspected the job his crew had done today. It looked wonderful, and the stage was going to be fantastic. Jace would have this place hopping every single night. Not that it wasn't already, but he'd triple his income with nightly music.

"It looks good. I'm already booking entertainment." Jace's voice called out.

He turned to see his friend walking toward him with a huge smile on his face. "I'm happy to hear that. There's nothing sadder than an empty stage."

Jace laughed. "It won't be empty long. But your party is the first. We'll have a stage opening and having Hart & the Hurricanes as the first band to grace the stage is perfect. Hometown band gone big, right here to inaugurate my new stage."

Quinn nodded. "I can't wait for the day." He glanced to the side. "I'm glad the lumber arrived. We'll get this baby up as soon as the cement footings allow."

Jace nudged him. "How was your date?"

Quinn grinned. "It was a great date. Just getting to know each other. Delicious food, great company. A nice date."

Jace slapped him on the back. "Good to hear. Need a drink?"

"Yep. I'll buy."

11

Hanna sighed deeply as she drove from behind the bakery. It had been a nice date. It had been a long time since she'd been on a nice date. Deciding she needed to deal with this Isaac thing sooner rather than later, she glanced at her watch and noticed it was still only eight o'clock.

Turning toward her parents’ house, she navigated the darkening streets, streetlights beginning to flicker on as she drove. Her mind was all over the place. Don't get involved with Quinn, get involved with Quinn, don't get involved. He's too charming. Things are messy right now.

Her mind was all over the place and gosh she was just freshly new in town and was still trying to get her bearings at the bakery. It was a silly time to try to get involved with anyone. But she really liked him. He was, well, he was a gentleman.

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