Page 49 of Three Rules I'd Never Break

“Yes, ma’am. Will I see you in the morning?”

“Unless I oversleep.” I’d have to set an alarm.

“I hope that doesn’t happen. Sweet dreams.”

I said what I knew he was thinking. “You’ll be in them.”

“I hope so.”

I smiled at the phone after hanging up. Talking to Eli at the end of my day became my new routine.

* * *

After seeingEli every morning for several days, on Thursday morning, I slept in. Eli wasn’t working, and I didn’t think he’d be up early to get doughnuts. And as late as we’d talked last night, I needed a little extra shuteye.

Intending to sleep for only a few minutes, I panicked when I opened my eyes and saw the time. The shop opened in thirty minutes.

I yanked on jeans and a blouse. I had just enough time to run next door for coffee and a something to eat. I didn’t want to try to run the store on an empty stomach.

Eli’s knock echoed in the hall, and I ran to the back door. “Hi!”

He held up a bag and a cup. “You never showed up, so I figured you needed breakfast delivered.”

I hugged him.

He kept his arms out to his sides. “Um, Delaney, please don’t make me spill anything on you today.”

“Sorry. Come in. I overslept.” I gathered my hair into a messy bun. For today, that would have to do.

He handed me the coffee. “Someone keep you up late?”

“Way too late.”

Leaning against the wall, he crossed his arms. I loved how it stretched the sleeves on his t-shirt. “If you’re free tonight, I’d like to take you to dinner.”

“It’s a date.” I bit into the doughnut. “You got my favorite.”

His smile made me want to close the shop and spend all day with him, but that was no way to run a business.

“I pay attention.”

“Are you going to work on the car today?”

“I have other stuff I need to get done today.” He blew me a kiss. “Have a great day, and I’ll be here when the shop closes.”

“See you then.”

It was too soon to be thinking of words like love and future. And way too soon to be naming our children, but dang. Eli made me want to think all those things.

Clearly, I still needed a dose of patience.

Chapter 17

Ichanged three times before settling on a summery dress and a pair of wedges. Eli hadn’t said where we were going to dinner, but I wanted to be prepared for anything.

After freshening my makeup, I dabbed perfume on my pulse points. The butterflies migrating across my midsection weren’t caused by nerves, just excitement and anticipation.

When Eli knocked, I hurried to the door. “I’m ready.”

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