Page 18 of One Sweet Day is Never Enough

He smiled.

“What about your old high school friends? Are you in touch with any of them? Some of them must still live here.”

Seth explained how only a few did and how their lives had just become too different from his.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll meet more people—maybe when things aren’t so busy on the farm?”

Seth nodded.

“You know, I’ve met a great group of girlsandguys here—you’d like them all. You could come out with us sometime if you’d like?” Gia ventured. “We usually go for a drink or two on the weekends, sometimes a meal first. We all went to the beach last weekend.”

“Oh yeah? That sounds like fun. Let me know next time, if you wouldn’t mind me tagging along.”

“Okay, for sure.” She shook her head. “And don’t feel like you’d be tagging along. Everyone’s always bringing other friends around. The more the merrier.”

He fixed his gaze on her. “Okay, cool, if you’re sure. Thanks.”

“Of course. We’ll probably be getting together this Friday night, actually. Are you busy?”

“Hmm, unfortunately, this is the one Friday night that I really can’t go out. We’re having our annual cherry festival this weekend at the orchard—all day Saturday— and I’ll be up with the rooster, as they say on the farm. It’s been keeping me very busy lately.”

She laughed. “Oh, that’s right. You mentioned it the other day when we were discussing your calendar for the rest of the summer. So what goes on at a cherry festival?”

He chuckled. “Oh, you know, a little of this, a little of that. You’d love it.”

She laughed. Was he flirting? It was hard to tell.

“I’m just kidding, but it’s a lot of fun. There’ll be carnival games and lots of good food, and cherries to pick if you like to climb ladders.” He grinned. “You should bring some of those friends and come on out for a few hours.”

“Really? That sounds like fun.” She would love to check it out. Maybe some of the girls would go with her? “And wow, a farm to run and now a festival? You really do have a lot on your plate.” She was impressed.

He nodded. “This is our biggest public event of the year. Kicks off the real harvest, which starts next week after the festival.”

“Exciting.” The sky was fading from a beautiful, hazy blue into a shade of purplish pink. A pair of gulls soared across the sky. “It’s beautiful out here, isn’t it?”

“It really is.” He turned his head and she felt his eyes on her. She smiled back then returned her attention to the lake, and they watched as the sun disappeared below the horizon.

“Well, I’d better get going. I’ll be up with the rooster tomorrow, too.” Seth grinned and stood up. “It’s a busy week.”

“Yeah, I’d better get home, too.”

They walked back to Gia’s car and Seth waited while she unlocked the door. “Hey, so thanks for hanging out. I’m looking forward to getting the advertising started.”

“So am I.” Gia climbed into the seat. “And I’ll send you links to those listing guides tomorrow.”

“Thanks! I’ll talk to you soon.” He nodded and she backed out of the parking spot. If she weren’t careful, she might start thinking about him as more than a business partner—maybe an actual friend.

She smiled and settled into the seat.

But that wouldn’t be so bad.

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