Page 70 of The Calendar of New Beginnings
“Seems so,” he said, smiling softly against her hair. “Would you go to dinner with me sometime soon? After all this kissing, the least I can do is take you out and show you a good time.”
“So wearedating,” she said, making a face. “This is so weird! We’ve hung out a million times, but this feels different.”
“You didn’t answer my question. Will you go?”
“If we go out together, people are going to know. Are you ready for that to happen? Maybe we should wait a while? Until we’re more sure.”
He shook his head. “People are already talking because that’s what this town does. I would like to take you out and have some fun. What do you say?”
“Okay,” she said softly. “Sounds like a plan. But you don’t need to fuss and bring me flowers. I’m low-maintenance.”
He was going to go the extra mile because she didn’t expect it. Because he deserved it. They both did.
“What are we going to do about our families?” she asked, her mouth twisting. “They’re going to know something is up.”
“I’ll tell them we’re starting to date, but it’s early so they need to leave us alone.” Yeah, that would work. His mind flashed back to his earlier Sibling Sharing Time, as Matt had called it.
“Our mothers are going to be thrilled,” she said, laying her head against his shoulder. “What are you going to tell Danny?”
He took a moment to gather his thoughts. “I’ll tell him you’re really special to me and that I like having you around a lot. And that his mom really liked you too.”
Her eyes gleamed with unshed tears.
“You mentioned it before. Kinda. But you like kids, right?”
“I love them.” She leaned back, smiling. “And I would never do anything to hurt him.”
“That’s not what I was asking,” he said, his voice gruff.
“Yes, it was.” Her voice was whisper-soft as she traced his brow. “It’s okay. Kim will always be his mother, but I’d like to be his friend.”
Okay, so it hadn’t gotten easier after the kiss and showing her the letter. His ribcage felt like it was inside a trash compactor. He didn’t think Danny would fully understand what it meant for him tolikea woman other than his mother. But it still worried him.
“It will be fine,” he told her, making himself smile.
“We have a lot of things to talk about,” she said, crossing her arms behind his neck.
“Good thing we’ve had all that practice talking,” hereplied, sliding his hands down her back to her hips. “There are a few areas where we still need some practice.”
“Like I haven’t heard that before.”
“I don’t mean it to be a cliché.” He tugged her closer against his body again. “I’m glad you kissed me back this time, Lucy.”
“Thank God for the subconscious mind,” she said, laughing under her breath.
“Shut up,” he replied and kissed her senseless.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Moira was nervous about her meeting with Chase Parker. Evan had shown her around the center’s temporary location at Emmits Merriam University a couple days ago. The tour had made her more excited about the opportunity, but there hadn’t been a single butterfly in her stomach from start to finish. Of course, she’d been on cloud nine from the happy news that her brother and Lucy were dating—the whole family was elated. Plus, Evan was funny and approachable and kind of geeky, it had turned out, once you got over the whole billionaire genius inventor thing.
Then there was Chase. Totally different ball of wax.
He was coming to town for meetings, and he’d asked to meet her at High Stakes, Chef T’s fancy restaurant in the Grand Mountain Hotel, on Friday afternoon.
Moira arrived in a navy business suit, one she’d made a special trip to her apartment in Denver to pick up. The hostess immediately ushered her into a private dining room and closed the door behind her.
The man she’d researched thoroughly rose from the end of the long table where he’d been checking his phone. Hewas tall and ruggedly handsome—the kind of man who still wore his Wyoming rancher heritage in his broad shoulders but who’d found a way to wear the sophistication of an Italian suit with total ease.
