Page 65 of The Icing on the Cake
“Someone missed you,” I note, as we reach the top of the stairs.
“He thinks I’m never coming back, every single time…” she says, fumbling with her keys as we stop in front of her door. “When I go to work, when I take out the trash…” She glances up at me, moonlight catching the cut of her cheekbones. “He’s a little insecure that way.”
“Smart dog,” I murmur. “I’d miss you too.”
Her smile makes my breath catch. After everything—the way she kept me at arm’s length and her arguments about dating an athlete—I never expected to feel so much hope about our future together.
“Thank you for tonight,” she says softly, turning to face me. “It was perfect. Just like you promised.”
“Even the freezing lake?”
“Especiallythe freezing lake,” she says with a laugh. We hold each other’s gaze, suspended in that moment that comes right before a kiss, when the tension feels like a rubber band about tosnap. I give her time to step back if she wants to, but instead, she rises on her tiptoes to meet me halfway, her hands sliding up my chest. I cradle her face in my hands, memorizing every detail so I can replay this moment when she’s gone. I can’t stand the thought of her leaving Maple Falls. Apparently, I have more in common with Henry than I’d like to admit.
“I see you two are out late tonight,” someone says below us.
We spring apart like startled animals at the sound of Mrs. Nelson’s voice. She’s standing outside in her slippers with her bathrobe cinched tight.
“Mrs. Nelson, hello,” Neesha says, her voice breathless. “We were just…” She looks up at me for help.
“Saying goodnight,” I finish.
Mrs. Nelson frowns. “In my day, we called it necking. But young people have different terms these days.” She adjusts her glasses and squints at us. “Your hair is wet. What happened?”
“We jumped into the lake,” Neesha answers, like this is the most normal thing in the world.
Mrs. Nelson’s eyes bulge. “In October?”
“Sometimes you just have to take the plunge,” I say, grinning at Neesha.
Mrs. Nelson looks at us as if we’ve lost our minds. “Well, maybe you should think twice about midnight swimming in October. What if you’d gotten hurt? Then what would I tell the book club ladies who are looking forward to the bachelor auction?”
I lean closer to Neesha and mutter, “I’m starting to think hypothermia might be preferable.”
“I know more than one of the ladies from the assisted living facility wants to bid on you,” Mrs. Nelson informs us.
Neesha bites back a laugh.
“One of them wouldn’t be Mimi Roberts, would it?” I ask.
“Perhaps. And Mimi won’t date a slouch.” With that parting shot, Mrs. Nelson shuffles into her house.
“Small town, zero privacy,” Neesha sighs.
“I don’t mind the whole world knowing how I feel about you,” I admit. “Though I am wondering how long she was lurking in the shadows before making her grand entrance.”
“Oh great, she’ll definitely tell everyone at book club.” Neesha covers her face with her hands.
“Perfect,” I say, gently pulling her hands away. “I want everyone to know I’m dating the incredible Neesha Gilmore.”
Her eyes widen in surprise. “Really? You’re not embarrassed to be seen with the town baker?”
“Embarrassed?” I brush a wet curl away from her face. “Neesha, I’d shout it from the rooftops if you’d let me. You’re mine, and I’m proud of that.”
The way she looks at me, like she’s afraid to believe it’s real, makes me wish I could prove it to her.
She takes a reluctant step back. “I should probably go.” Her smile is soft, almost shy. “But I can honestly say this was the most perfect fall date.”
“Just so you know, our date’s not over. I expect you at my place for waffles tomorrow morning. Seven a.m.”
