Page 87 of Love By The Falls

“Debbie, that was uncalled for,” says Charlotte. “You should apologize.” She says it in the most teacher-like voice and Debbie, unsurprisingly, rolls her eyes and mutters a ‘Sorry’ between her pursed lips.

“He’ll have a Jack Daniels, neat, and I’ll have sparkling water.”

Debbie leaves without so much as a backward glance in our direction.

Impressed that she remembered my drink, I nod my approval. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” she says, tilting her head and looking down at my clothes. “And you better pack some T-shirts and jeans and leave those suits at your apartment in Queens. You’ll need more casual outfits if you plan on spending any time in this town.”

“Yeah. I’ll need to pack some denim and flannel.”

“It’s not all like that. We can be fashionable too, on special occasions, just not daily. We pride ourselves in comfort over consumerism.”

“Wool and linen are quite comfortable. I’ll stick with those.”

Her eyes smile at me, despite her tight mouth. I know she wants to laugh or smack me, or both, so I grab her hand and rub my thumb over it.

She stares at our joined hands, and I stop. It felt natural to hold her that way, but maybe she’s not comfortable with that anymore. I pull my hand away.

Debbie returns with my drink and Charlotte’s water, sets it on the table and leaves.

“Did I say something to offend her?”

Charlotte takes a long deep breath. “No. But I guess she suspects you’re the father and being the city type, won’t be taking any responsibility for it.”

“Well, that’s quite the assumption.”

“We do a lot of that around here.”

I lean back. “So, other than warning me about my clothes and judgmental waitresses,” I say with a smile. “Is there anything else I should know about Cedar Brook Falls?”

“Yes. A lot. But you’ll have to experience it, otherwise, you won’t understand the fabric of the town.”

I take a sip of my drink and so does she. “Oh, I’m pretty sure we established it’s denim and flannel.”

She smacks my thigh and my body tightens.

Fuck.

“Sorry,” she whispers. “I shouldn’t have done that. ‘Keep your hands to yourself’, I tell my students.”

“Yeah.” Except, I don’t want her to keep her hands to herself. I imagine those fingers running up my thigh and tightening around my—

“Sunset Ridge.”

“Pardon?”

Did she say ridge?

She finishes her water in one large swig, and swallows.Why is that so erotic?

“That’s where you’ll find some nice places to rent. Usually, they’re booked by late summer because they’re by the falls, but you shouldn’t have a problem this time of year.”

“Will you take me to see them?”

“We can go tomorrow.”

“Where’s Charlie?”

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