Page 76 of The Grumpy Side of Paradise

Evie

Florence looks different. It’s bigger than I remember. Or maybe I compared it to New York the first time I came through. A month in Paradise makes everything look bigger. Not necessarily better, just bigger.

We drop the wood off at the mill first, then Adam asks, “Are there other places you want to go before we pick up the tile?” Adam asks as we exit the canyon and drive past a large university. “Probably should get that last.”

“Maybe some antique shops. I think I’ve found everything worth finding in the Valley.” My words are rushed with a false cheeriness.

Not that I don’t feel happy. I do. I really,reallydo. How couldn’t I feel happy after Adam told me I’m beautiful? I mean, he might have been talking about the scenery, but he said it right to me in a voice rasping with longing. He either really,reallylikes nature or he’s feeling something close to what I’m feeling for him.

And that has me all disconcerted.

It’s getting harder and harder to resist Adam. I have no idea how to look at old stuff in musty stores when I’d rather be learning more about his family, talking about everything but my own family, or, let’s be honest, fogging up his truck windows. Because, baby, it’s cold outside, but it’s plenty warm in here.

“If there’s one thing this town has an abundance of, it’santique shops.” Adam takes both hands off the wheel to make air quotes. Luckily, we’re at a stoplight—something I haven’t seen since going to Paradise. “Most of them are nothing more than junk stores, but I know a couple of places that might have some good stuff.”

“Perfect.”

My stomach lets out a loud growl that draws Adam’s eyes to my midsection.

“Lunch first?” he asks.

I nod. “Good idea.”

“What sounds good?” He pulls over to a side street and parks. There’s a lopsided snowman in the yard we’ve parked in front of.

“I’d say Indian, but I doubt there’s anything like that within a hundred miles, so Subway?” I don’t really want a fast-food sandwich, but I saw a sign for the store before we pulled over.

“What makes you think there’s no Indian food here? Florence has one of the best Indian restaurants I’ve ever eaten at.” He shifts the truck out of park and turns around.

“Really?” I’m giving him my best side-eye when I remember he not only lived in New York for at least as long as I did, but he’s also a chef. A damn good one.

“Why is that surprising?”

“Uh, maybe because we’re in Idaho.”

“It’s in Utah, actually. In a few miles, we’ll cross the state border”

I roll my eyes. “Either way. Neither state is known for their thriving Indian population, and if you’re taking me to an Indian restaurant that isn’t owned and operated by an Indian, I will doubt everything I know about your chef skills.” I have very strong opinions about Indian food. Starting with, white people don’t know how to cook it. We can’t handle the spice.

We roll to a stop at a light, and he narrows his eyes at me long enough for me to squirm in my seat. “Do you really think I’d take you to an Indian place that wasn’t Indian?”

“I mean, you have to admit that it’s not easy to find good ethnic food in a small town.” My words don’t sound as good coming out of my mouth as they did in my head.

Adam’s mouth curves into a slow smile. No, wait, it’s a smirk. “This ‘small town’ has over a hundred thousand people from one end of the valley to the other. Fifty thousand of them live within thecitylimits. So, it’s not New York, but it’s definitely not a small town.”

“Fine. Impress me with the best Indian restaurants outside of New York.” I cross my arms and press my back into the seat.

“Oh, it’s better than anything I ever had in New York. I meant outside of India.” Adam’s smirk gets even smirkier when my mouth drops open.

“You’ve been to India?” I finally sputter.

“I’ve been to a lot of places,” he says and turns onto an adorable Main Street with brick buildings and window displays in the storefronts. “Just because I want to spend my life in Paradise doesn’t mean I never want to go anywhere else.”

“Good to know,” I say slowly.

“Do you like to travel?”

“I don’t know. I’ve only moved to new places, never really traveled.”

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