Page 68 of Sweet Somethings

"All right—if you're sure." He took off his apron and hat and set them on the counter.

"I do want to follow up on the information you got from the county on the previous homeowners. Hopefully, I can find some time to get online."

"I'll leave the paperwork with you. We can touch base tomorrow night."

"That would be good. It's going to be crazy until then. Should I come over to the house, and we can go on the Internet together? Wait, do you have Internet there?"

"I have a hot spot on my phone."

"That will work."

"But actually tomorrow night isn't good. How about Thursday?"

"Sure. What's going on tomorrow? Or would you rather not say?" She paused, frowning a little. "Do you have a date?"

"No, it's not a date."

"Then what are you doing?"

"I'm playing guitar at Mickelson's Bar. John Mickelson is a friend of my grandfather, and he persuaded me to sit in with one of the bands tomorrow night."

Surprise ran through her eyes. "Wait. What? You play the guitar well enough to play in a band?"

"We'll find that out tomorrow night," he said lightly. "I'm a little rusty."

"I have to admit, I'm surprised. You are a man of many layers."

He shrugged. "Not that many. Do you want to walk me out?"

She hesitated, then shook her head. "I'm going to stay right where I am, because I really do need to go to bed, and you really do need to leave, and if we end up at the door together, who knows what will happen?"

He smiled. "I'd like to find out."

"That's not going to happen tonight."

"Fair enough. Good luck with the baking tomorrow."

"Thanks. Good luck with the playing. Are you going to sing, too?"

"I don't think he'll be able to talk me into that."

"I bet you have a good voice."

"I don't know what you're basing that bet on."

"Gut instinct."

"You were shocked I played. Now your instinct tells you I'm a singer?"

She laughed. "Fine, I'll wait and see for myself."

His pulse sped up. "You're going to come?"

"Of course I'm going to come. You singing and playing the guitar—I wouldn't miss it for the world."

---