Page 52 of Coming Home

“I peeked a little when I was putting things back into your kit yesterday. It was pretty amazing. I noticed the dried flowers on many of the pages.” There was an apologetic yet impressed lilt to his voice.

“You know how Clayton brings her flowers every Friday? I’ve snagged one from every arrangement for the last few months. I’ve pressed them to use on each page. I’ve snagged other things…little tokens of them as a couple, to decorate the pages.”

“They’re going to love it. You’ve always been so creative. My mom gets excited about the homemade gifts you give at the holidays and birthdays.”

“Thanks.” Her smile grew bigger. Was that even possible at this point?

“So, after crafting any other plans for today?” he drawled with almost a searching tone, like a kid trying to figure out if there’d be chocolate cake for dessert.

“Nope.” Her mouth slanted into a knowing grin that there would, indeed, be chocolate cake tonight.

“Would you have dinner with me tonight?” That dimple-popping smile was almost boyish.

“Like dinner here and you’d cook or at your place and you’d also cook? The point being, you cook.”

Laughter rumbled in his chest. “We could do that, but I was thinking maybe a real date.”

“Like where you pick me up and take me out?”

“I could pick you up around six, and we could drive to Canandaigua. It’s close enough for us to get there in under an hour, but far enough away that it’s unlikely we’ll run into anyone. There’s this place with great views of the lake.”

“Okay.”

It was weird to think that after the last twenty-four hours of kissing, seeing each other naked, and having sex, that going to dinner with Noah would quicken her pulse, but there it was; Nat Owens was going on a date with Noah Wilson.

She’d wait until he left before she squealed as if Henry Cavill knocked on her door. Though, Henry had nothing on Noah.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“I’ve got the key to my castle in the air, but whether I can unlock the door remains to be seen.”~Louisa May Alcott,Little Women

For this date, the old oak wardrobe shimmered with possibility. Nat stood, hands on hips, debating which lovely outfit to select. Tonight, she didn’t want a little black dress. She didn’t need to call Elle in a panic for fashion advice, nor did she wish to be anyone but herself.

You look beautiful.You’re perfect.Noah’s words waltzed inside her.

It wasn’t his approval. It was simply him seeing her…all of her. His brilliant blue eyes were like mirrors, reflecting her back to herself, reminding her who she was. Something the self-doubt that had crept in over the last few months had attempted to snatch away.

A broad smile beamed as she reached for a blue gingham tulle skirt, white silk camisole, and white cropped cardigan. Dolled up, she stood before the gold-framed mirror, admiring her reflection. The youthful and flirty outfit melded perfectlywith the loose waves she styled her hair into. Grabbing a pair of white ballet flats, she headed downstairs.

A confident knock tapped at the door. She bounded down the remaining steps and skipped to the entryway.

“Hey, stranger,” she purred, opening the door.

Like a firework explosion, a big smile blasted across his face, bathing every feature in bright happiness. His dimple popped. Those eyes sparkled with tiny crinkles that kissed their edges.

“Hey, gorgeous.” He winked.

Not cute, but gorgeous.Smelling salts were needed, stat! The butterflies swooped in her belly.

“Look who’s talking.” Her eyes dragged down him in appraisal.

Tanned skin peeked out at the vee of his untucked, mint-green button-up shirt. His corded forearms on full display in his short-sleeves, reminding her of how those strong arms held her. Dark jeans wrapped themselves around his muscular legs in the exact same way she wanted to.

He closed the distance between them and kissed her. “I brought you something.” He held up a fluorescent pink gift bag.

“You brought me a gift?” Taking the bag, she stepped back and ushered him inside.

“I know it’s customary to bring flowers for a first date, but I thought this was more you.”

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