Page 16 of We Can Forever

“No, don’t do that.” She touches my upper arm, then seems to realize what she’s doing and pulls back, her face pink. “You’re both doing so much for me already. I can wait, and coffee sounds good.”

My stomach swoops with excitement. I meant what I said about driving her home, but I sure am glad she declined the offer. There’s nothing I would rather do more right now than cozy up with her somewhere.

We head out of the garage, Nathan winking at me behind Hannah’s back, and across the street to Tall Order. The afternoon sun kisses our faces, and dried leaves blow down the street. Hannah casts a shy look my way, and I grin back at her.

“After you.” I open the door to the coffee shop and bakery, the delicious smells of fresh bread and roasting beans wafting out of it.

About half of the seats are taken, most of them by Pine Island’s retired population and people working remotely on their laptops. The best spot is available, though, and I lead Hannah to the little table next to the fireplace.

A few logs crackle in the hearth, creating a cozy ambiance. Hannah takes off her jacket and slips into a seat.

“It’s so cute in here,” she comments, looking around at the plants and macramé art.

“You’ve never been in?” That’s hard to believe.

“A few times. I never stayed, though. I just grabbed a drink and left. Plus, I don’t really drink coffee.”

“In that case, I feel like an idiot bringing you here.”

“No!” She laughs, her face lighting up. “I would go anywhere with you.”

Her eyebrows rise in shock, and she bites her lip. Obviously, that last part just slipped out, but I don’t mind it at all.

“I like hearing that.” I let my gaze linger on hers for a moment longer, feeling confident in a new way—a way that has nothing to do with piecing together a deck or putting out a vehicle fire in record time.

Hannah makes me feel like a man who is important in other ways. Ways that I ache to explore.

Licking my lips, I push those thoughts away for the time being. “If you don’t drink coffee, how about a hot chocolate?”

“Sounds perfect. Thank you.” The blush is fading from her face, but the way that she fusses with her clothes suggests she’s still embarrassed. I want to tell her not to be, that everything she does and says is undeniably cute, even if she feels like she’s being awkward. I have to hold back, though, yet again. I’m all too aware that if I say too much, especially about delicate things, I could scare her away.

I need to keep doing my best playing it cool.

Whatever the hell that means.

Basically, I’m making this whole thing up as I go, hoping that I’m at least doing some things right and leaving a positive impression on her.

“Be right back,” I say, eager to stop thinking and just do something. I always was better with my hands.

At the counter, it’s the same deal it always is when I go out in town. Cade Rignola, one of my firefighters, skips back a few spots in line to talk to me.

“Is that who you were on a date with the other day?” He nods subtly at Hannah.

“Oh, mind your own business, Cade,” Summer, who owns Tall Order, says from behind the espresso machine. “Or you aren’t getting that extra chocolate on top of your cappuccino.”

“Hey, I’m asking what everyone wants to know.” Cade raises his hands in surrender.

“How was your shift?” I ask Cade, eager to talk about something that isn’t my personal life.

He gives me the general rundown as I place my order and wait. By the time I have a hot chocolate and an americano in hand, though, I’m eager to head back to Hannah and what precious time we have together.

“See you later,” I tell Cade, walking back to the table as fast as I can without looking frantic.

“Thank you.” Hannah takes a sip from the huge mug. A fleck of whipped cream lingers on her lips, and she dots it away with a napkin.

Heat rolls through me like a thundercloud across a summer prairie. Good God, what is wrong with me? We’ve barely touched, and yet I feel like a complete horndog around this woman.

“Was your class everything you wanted it to be?” I ask, half because I want to know and half because I need to distract myself from…other thoughts.

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