Page 70 of Just One Moment

Witha brisk wave and hello to my family, she skips over to me with an eagerness that makes me think she wants to see me first.

“Hey, you.”Shebeams up at me with no clue of what’s behind me, which sets my nerves on edge further.

“Hi, honey.”

Iwant to drag her away, scaredI’veoverdone it.It’stoo much.Toosoon.I’mnot even sure if she feels the same way.

“Whatare you doing over here?Oh!Graham, have you seen all these goodies?Theylook so goo—wait…”

Toolate now.

Shespins around and spots our friends and my family watching us and then pivots back around.Hereyes bounce around the table, taking in the homemade bannerLottiehelped me make, withJustBrewItmessily scrawled across the paper—Ican’t draw for shit andLottieis bad at keeping in the lines.Herfingers run across the tablecloth as she quietly recites each itemI’velaid out.

Somethingthick forms in my throat asIwatch her, keeping a safe distance away to allow her to take it all in.Whenshe’s done, she turns toward me.Somany emotions wash over her face—shock, gratitude, disbelief, joy—it’s hard to pinpoint one.

“Youdid this for me?”Hereyes shine bright.

Inod before silently handing over the bouquet.

Shelowers her face and inhales the floral scent before placing it on the table.

Whenshe takes a running jump into my arms,I’mready to catch her.

MaybeIdid do the right thing after all.

“I’mdreaming, right?” she gasps into my shoulder.

“Ifyou were, would it be a good dream?”Myhand runs in circles against her lower back.

Herarms tighten around my neck. “OneInever want to wake up from as long as you’re there.”

WatchingQuinnwork is quickly becoming my favorite pastime.

Theway she interacts with customers has the grumpiest of people leaving her table with a smile and a bag full of sugary treats they didn’t even know they needed.She’sa natural.It’sno wonder people gravitate toward her.

I’vebeen idly sitting on the sidelines for the last four hours, helping when things got busy.Everytime someone bought something, she would turn and flash me a stunning smile.Thetable is barren now, and even thoughIoffered to drive back to the bakery to grab some extra stock, she seemed happy to end the day.

Andif she’s happy,I’mon top of the fucking world.

Mymom left about an hour ago, andIdidn’t miss the way she whispered inQuinn’sear as they hugged goodbye.Shejust can’t help herself.

OurPlaceis stocked to serve customers until the end of the day, but a lot of the smaller businesses have started to pack up, likely wanting to make the most of the fall festivities.

Ittakes us half an hour to clean the stall, pack up myJeep, and hand over her takings for the day toBoothto lock up securely.Theentire timeQuinnchats excitedly to me about each and every single customer she interacted with, not once blanching at my silence asIsoak up her happiness.

I’mguiding her toward the pumpkin patch when she halts me. “HaveIsaid thank you?”

“Atleast a hundred times, honey.”

Herarms loop around my middle and she burrows her face into my sweater. “Notnearly enough then.”Sheprops her chin against my chest and stares up at me with golden eyes. “Seriously,Graham, what didIdo to deserve this?IpromiseI’llpay you bac?—”

Itcould be the way she fits so perfectly against me, or perhaps it’s the smile that hasn’t weakened since she spotted me hours ago.Ormaybe it’s just her.Yeah, that’s probably it.Whateverit is, has me silencing her with a kiss.

Thekiss is quick but enough to leave us panting.

Hereyes flick left and right, andIrealize she’s checking to see ifIdid it for show.

Ididn’t.

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