Page 57 of Follow My Heart

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“Lately, I have Faith on the weekends. That puts a cramp in our dating life.”

That didn’t deter me. I looked at it as a way to slow down. “There’s still the weekdays.”

“I work longer hours on the weekdays so I can see Faith on the weekend.”

“Your daughter comes first.”

He reached over and touched my hand. “I want you to feel cherished too.”

Had anyone ever said that to me? The words wrapped around my heart like a warm blanket, and tears stung my eyes. “Walk me to my door?” If I stayed in the cab of his truck any longer, I’d be falling into old patterns, telling him how much I liked him and wanted to be with him. For once, I had to play it cool.

My heart couldn’t take any more breaks.

At the door, I felt like I’d made the walk of shame in this quiet neighborhood, wearing the clothes I had on yesterday.

But when Ryder stepped up to me, his hand tucking my hair behind my ear, his expression so tender, I forgot about everything else. It all fell away until it was just him and me.

“Thank you for an amazing day.”

My lips twitched. “It’s not over. I’ll see you tonight.”

“While you’re working, I hope you think of me.”

My cheeks flushed at the memory of his mouth between my legs. “You made sure of that last night.”

He smiled. “Good.”

Then he slowly lowered his head, touching his lips to mine. My hands curled around the lapels of his jacket. I could get used to this. He smelled so good, like evergreen and sandalwood. A combination I wouldn’t have thought I’d like.

He kept his touch light, but I felt it down to my toes. When he pulled back, he said gruffly. “Have a good day.”

“I will now.” He’d given me a spectacular orgasm last night and then a kiss to remember this morning.

At work, I messed up so many orders that I finally left the front to Morgan, and buried myself in spreadsheets in the office.

Profits were up, but not enough that I could breathe easier yet. There was still the possibility; sales could go down, and I’d be forced to close up shop. Then I’d have no choice but to move home. My heart constricted at the thought.

The competition in town was fierce, even though the number of customers wasn’t the issue. It was a busy tourist town with locals and out-of-towners flooding the streets in the evenings and weekends.

It was a matter of drawing them away from the chains and the frozen yogurt store.

I brainstormed ideas to bring in more customers, but short of spending more on advertising, I didn’t come up with anything viable.

Maybe I should’ve talked to that marketing consultant that the Calloways kept referring to. I thought she was Cole’s sister. Maybe she could’ve helped me.

At lunch, there was a delivery from Ryder of flowers and food from a restaurant down the street . I placed the bouquet with its array of sunflowers and orange and red flowers in the front where everyone could see them. When I sat down to eat in my office. I texted Ryder, figuring he was snow tubing by now.

Thank you for lunch and the flowers.

Then I dug into my shrimp-salad sub.

A few minutes later, he responded.

I didn’t want you to forget to eat lunch.

That was thoughtful of you.

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