Page 6 of Mountain Man's Pumpkin Spice
That seemed to surprise her. “Oh.”
“Yeah. Oh.” I picked up my empty coffee cup and started backing away before I could do something stupid like ask her to have lunch with me or tell her she looked beautiful in the morning light. “I’ll see you around.”
“I hope so,” she said softly.
I was halfway back to my booth before the full meaning of her words hit me. She hoped so. Not just a polite response, but genuine hope that our paths would cross again.
Well, hell. If that wasn’t an invitation, I didn’t know what was.
I spent the next hour setting up my own display, but my mind kept wandering to the woman three rows over. The way she’d blushed when she mentioned looking at my hands. The passion in her voice when she talked about her bakery dreams. The way she’d said she hoped to see me around.
By the time the market officially opened and customers started filtering in, I’d already decided I was going to find an excuse to visit her booth before the day was through. Maybe I’dbuy some spices. God knew my pantry could use the upgrade. Maybe I’d just walk by and see how she was doing.
Or maybe, if I was feeling particularly brave, I’d ask her to dinner.
The thought of getting Marissa somewhere private, somewhere we could talk without interruption, somewhere I could find out if the chemistry I felt between us was real or just wishful thinking on my part, sent heat racing through my veins.
Yeah. I was definitely going to find a reason to see her again.
And maybe, just maybe, I’d find a way to get her into my bed.
3
MARISSA
Imissed Ashe.
Was it possible to miss a man you just met? Maybe not, but that was how I felt.
Most of my longing to see him came at lunchtime, when they brought the boxed lunch. It reminded me of yesterday—the way we sat together and ate.
But I didn’t have much time to think about it. I had to sneak in bites between customers approaching. Before I knew it, the crowd was dwindling and vendors were starting to pack up. Where had the day gone? And why did I have a sick feeling in my stomach? A feeling that I was about to be disappointed.
The answer was clear. I was afraid. I had a massive crush on this guy, and if he didn’t try to see me again tonight, it would suck. Beyond suck. I’d be hurt. Devastated. And I’d be stuck sitting at the inn, wondering if that meant he wouldn’t talk to me tomorrow, either.
Crap, this is what all my friends went through. I sat back and watched as, one by one, they found love and got their hearts stomped on. I was determined not to be one of them. I was independent. I didn’t need a man to be happy.
But now I got it. Now I’d met a man who made it worth the risk.
I was rearranging spices in the last box I needed to take to my vehicle when I saw him out of the corner of my eye. My heart practically leapt right out of my body, it started beating so hard.
It was him. And he was walking this way.
“Hey,” Ashe said, that easy smile spreading across his face as he approached my booth. “Looks like you’re packing up.”
“Yeah, just finished for the day.” I tried to sound casual, but my voice came out a little breathless. “How was your day?”
“Better now.” His eyes held mine for a moment longer than necessary. “I was wondering if you’d eaten dinner yet.”
My stomach chose that moment to growl audibly, and I felt heat creep up my neck. “Actually, no. I got so caught up with customers, I barely ate lunch.”
“Perfect. There’s this little diner just down the street. Nothing fancy, but they make the best burgers in town.” He gestured toward the street. “What do you say?”
Twenty minutes later, we were seated across from each other in a red vinyl booth at the diner. It featured a fifties-style decor that made it impossible not to feel at home.
“This is really good,” I said between bites of my burger. “You weren’t kidding.”
“Told you.” Ashe grinned, then grew more serious. “I have to admit, I was hoping I’d run into you today. Yesterday felt too short.”
