Page 6 of Tangled with the Tight End

He grins. “Good. I’m glad you came out here. This place is great. You’re going to love it.”

Right. I’m a city guy, not a nestled-in-the-mountains kind of guy. This is Marco’s life. Not mine. But for a visit? It has its charms. “The suite is amazing.”

“Yes, it is.” He relaxes back into his chair. “Eden wants you to come over for dinner. She’s cooking.”

“Sure. When?” Marco’s wife is a gorgeous woman with the sweetest soul. Talking with Eden is a great idea. She’s a first-grade teacher, who knows how to keep 15 7-year-olds alive, plus a baby.

“Tomorrow night at 7 o’clock?”

“We’ll be there.”

three

NORAH

The Next Day

The chimesabove the bistro door sound, alerting me to a new customer. I glance up from the computer and wave at Sawyer. For a previous glue eater, he’s not a bad-looking guy. He’s almost 6’ tall with brown hair and green eyes. “Hey, Sawyer, how’s work?”

“You know….” He shrugs and unzips the top of his jacket. We’ve been friends for years, despite the glue episode. “Same as usual, which is why I’m here for a pick-me-up.”

“I’ve got just the thing for you.” I slip on a pair of plastic gloves, open the back of the display case, and snatch out a frosted cookie decorated with a lake and a dock.

“Perfect.” He grins. “Now I can spend today wishing I was fishing while stuffing my face with the best cookie in town–”

“Best in town?” I arch an eyebrow while adding the cookie and two others into a small box.

“Best in the state.” He leans his hip against the counter.

“I’ll settle for that, but I’d prefer the best cookie this side of the Mississippi.”

“You know everything you cook is the best.” He snatches up the box as some regulars step into the bistro and grab two chairs at a table near the door. Men like to pretend they aren’t gossiping. That’s the farthest thing from the truth. These two will sit by the window and talk about everyone who walks by for the next hour.

“Usual?” I step over to the industrial-sized espresso machine. Sawyer works for his father at his car dealership. We’re a small town but the three closest towns come to Evergreen Lake to get their vehicles–unless they want to drive to the city.

“Yes, please. If I must work through another vehicle loan without caffeine I’m going to go face-first into a pile of paperwork.”

After I grab Sawyer’s drink, a vanilla latte, and snap on the to-go lid, I study him as I tug off the gloves and toss them into the trash. The short beard he’s grown over the last few months is attractive. And he has a decent sense of humor. But there are no sparks. Even when our hands touch while passing his purchases or accepting his money. Nothing happens.

He reaches for the cup, which I expertly hand to him, but at the last second, I lightly brush one of his fingers. Nope. Nothing. Nothing at all.

“Guess what.”

“What?” I cross my arms over my chest as the holiday music plays in the background. Thanksgiving isn’t until this weekend, but we’re big on the Christmas holiday season here in Evergreen Lake, so most of us have already broken out the decorations or started playing the cheerful tunes.

“My mom–”

My phone rings before he can get the rest of what he’s going to say out. “Hold that thought.” I snatch the white corded phone off the wall and press the receiver to my ear. “Lips & Hips, this is Norah speaking.”

“Hey girl, I’m sorry to call you at work,” Eden says in a rushed voice as she speeds on without taking a breath, “But I only have a second between classes. I forgot to tell you that Marco’s brother was coming to town for Thanksgiving. He’s made it, and we want to introduce the two of you.”

“Of course. When?” I shut the door to the glass case.

Sawyer sits at one of the circular tables and scoots the black chair forward while chatting on his cell phone. Few of the tables and chairs in the café match. I enjoy the eclectic vibe of mismatched furniture, which gives it a quaint and homey feel.

“Is tonight at 7 o’clock too soon?”

“Tonight?’ I click on the mouse to save the program I was on before Sawyer came in and shut down the screen. I’m nearly done with my supply order, and I don’t want to lose my progress.

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