Page 76 of Tangled Up In You

"I know he's not here for very long. My mom and my grandmother aren't thrilled with me seeing someone who isn't local, but he's so cool, and it's not like I'm going to stay here forever. I want to go away to school next fall. Maybe California. What do you think?"

She was surprised by the question. "Well, I'm nowhere close to being an expert on relationships, but I think sometimes we worry too much about the future that we miss enjoying right where we are."

Cassie nodded in agreement. "I like that."

"What do you like?" Drew asked, as he returned.

"Molly is going to give me free yoga classes for the rest of the year," Cassie said.

"That's nice." He looked back at her. "Do you want me to help you with this last table?"

"No, you two go and have fun. I can manage."

"I'll see you Monday."

"Actually, I'll probably see you tomorrow. Are you coming to Adam's birthday barbecue?"

"Oh, right, that thing at the lake. I'll probably stop by."

"You should. Bring Cassie."

"I'm up for that," Cassie said, throwing Drew another bright smile.

"We'll see you tomorrow."

She smiled as they walked down the sidewalk and Cassie slipped her hand into Drew's. They were cute together. She hoped they'd make it, but long distance was hard, and they were both very young.Who knew where their lives would go?

Grabbing an empty carboard box from under the table, she packed the last few remaining products. She was just about done when she saw a man walking toward her, and she stiffened. It was Neil Loeffler.

His steps slowed when he saw her, his eyes darkening with some emotion she couldn't decipher.

"Hello, Molly."

"Neil," she said shortly.

"How was your sale?"

"Very successful."

"I heard."

"From who?"

"One of my firefighters stopped by earlier, Shelley Dearborn."

"Oh, I didn't realize she was a firefighter."

"She's just about to come back from maternity leave."

"I met her baby. He was very cute."

As their pointless conversation came to end, she shifted her feet. "Don't let me keep you."

"How's your mother?"

She drew in a quick breath. "She's great. She's in New York. She's really happy."

"That's good. I'm glad she found what she was looking for. I wasn't sure she ever would."

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