Page 13 of The World She Never Knew Existed

“I like him, too,” Clara said.

“Do you think that he’ll take us hiking again?” Zeke asked.

“I don’t know. He does have that store to run,” Clara said. “We’ll just have to wait and see.”

An hour later, Zeke was at his customary table, reading a book, and nursing a chocolate milk when Dillon came in for his morning coffee. Zeke hopped down from his table and rushed over to say hello.

“Hello, young man,” Dillon said.

He thanked Jamie for the coffee and said to Zeke, “Thank you for going hiking with me yesterday. I had great time hanging out with you and your mom.”

“I had a lot of fun, too. I had never gone hiking before,” Zeke said.

“We’ll definitely have to go again sometime,” Dillon said.

Clara noticed that her son was looking up at Dillon as though he thought that Dillon was some kind of superhero.

She thought about the dream that she had and felt herself start to blush. She wondered what it would really feel like if he wrapped his arms around her and held her close to his body. She licked her lips as she envisioned his lips capturing hers in a passionate kiss. Her reverie was broken by the sound of his voice.

“I hope that you enjoyed yourself, as well,” Dillon said, smiling at Clara.

“I really did. We both would love to go on another hiking trip in the future,” Clara said.

They chatted for a few more minutes and then Dillon said, “I guess I had better get back to the store.”

He gave Zeke a high five and left.

Zeke went back to his table and book. Jamie smiled slyly at Clara.

“You guys had a lot of fun yesterday, huh?” Jamie asked.

“We did. The hike was really nice. It was so beautiful on the mountain. Dillon made sure that he didn’t walk too fast for Zeke. He was kind to Zeke. As you can see, Zeke is starting to adore Dillon,” Clara said.

“I can see that. Dillon does seem to have a way with your son,” Jamie said.

Clara smiled and nodded.

“You know, there have been a lot of women who have hit on Dillon since he bought that store not too long ago,” Jamie said. “He has either ignored them or politely turned each one of them down.”

“Interesting,” Clara said.

“You show up and he offers to take you on a hike,” she said.

“I’m sure that he is just being friendly,” Clara said.

“I think that there might be a little more to it than just being friendly,” Jamie replied. “I think that he might have a thing for you.”

“I think that you have an overactive imagination.” Clara laughed.

“I don’t think so,” Jamie said. “I think that you might have a thing for him, too.”

“Now I know that you are crazy,” Clara replied.

“I’ve seen the way that you look at him. I recognize that dreamy look in your eyes,” Jamie teased. “It’s just like in the movies where the woman looks into the eyes of true love right before he kisses her.”

Clara felt the heat creeping into her cheeks again as she blushed. She couldn’t deny that she felt something for the man.

“I don’t blame you, one little bit,” Jamie said. “He is super hot. Not only is he extremely good looking, but his body is incredible. I see the way that he fills out his t-shirts.”

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