Page 23 of Finding Happily Ever After

“Another time, then?”

She smiled and nodded. “I’d really like that. But you know…” Her smile dipped a little at the corner. “I don’t know if I’m ready for our evening to end, either.”

Heat flared deep in Aiden’s groin.Was she suggesting what he hoped she was suggesting?Damn. He wasn’t usually one to fool around on a first date. But he also wasn’t one to be so insanely attracted to a woman on a first date and if she wanted to—

“Would you be up for grabbing a coffee somewhere?”

Coffee.Yes. If she wanted a coffee, he’d have coffee with her. For sure. Hell, he’d even make her the best coffee she’d ever had.

“I would love that. But on one condition.”

She tilted her head so that her silky blonde hair slipped from her shoulders.

“Let me make it for you. I have a very fancy espresso machine. I know you take it black, but if I can talk you into a latte or a cappuccino, it will change your life.”

She laughed, but he didn’t miss the hesitation in her eyes. “Change my life, huh?”

“You know it. Will you give me a chance?”

She’d give him a chance. Of course she would. Buthishouse? Coffee?

It sounded innocent enough. Natalie might be totally and completely inexperienced, but she wasn’t stupid. She knew whatcoffee at his placemeant.

And she also knew she wasn’t ready.

Was she?

To be fair, she had no idea what she was ready for or not. She liked Aiden, a lot, and their dinner date had just made that even clearer. He was funny and a great storyteller. More than once, he’d branched off into stories abouthis kids. They clearly mattered a lot to him, and the passion he had for teaching was incredibly sexy.

It was just one of the many things about Aiden that was sexy, of course. But it was definitely another thing for an already growing list.

But back to his house? Alone?

She…found herself nodding and then heard her voice say, “Sounds great.”

And it did. Sound great.But also…

She put a smile on her face and, not for the first time since things had started heating up with Aiden, she wished she had someone she could talk to about it. Someone who might be able to give her some advice. A friend. Agirlfriend.

“Would you excuse me for a second?” Natalie grabbed her purse from the back of her chair as Aiden stood. “I just need to use the restroom. I’ll be back in a moment.”

“Of course.” He smiled.

And just as it always did, his smile caused a flash of electricity to flow through her. Only this time, the flash settled low in her belly and pulsed with need.

She moved quickly through the restaurant toward the restrooms. She didn’t even see Sarah until she almost ran directly into her. “Oh, I’m sorry.”

“Natalie. Hi.” Sarah caught her with her hands on Natalie’s forearms. “You look like you’re in a hurry.” Her eyes flicked over Natalie’s shoulder. “Is everything okay? You’re…”

“I’m fine. I’m just…”

Natalie barely knew Sarah. She’d only really had the chance to talk to her once, the night before. But it wasn’t as if they were able to talk about anything that really mattered. Still, just like all the other women of Glacier Falls, Sarah was so different than the female friends she’d had before. It was as though she actually cared about her friends, and maybe that included Natalie, too? Ultimately, Natalie had nothing to lose by trying.

“You know what?” Natalie changed tack quickly. “Can I ask you a question? In private?”

“Of course.” Sarah didn’t even hesitate. “Let me just make sure Rory is okay in the kitchen. I don’t want her getting in the way.” She nodded toward the ladies’ room. “Give me five minutes.”

It only took her two, and Sarah joined her in what could only be described as a cozy ladies’ room. There was a sitting area off to the side of the sinks, with a tiny couch and a chair, potted plants and a table. Sarah walked in and handed Natalie a glass of wine, keeping one for herself. “I thought maybe you could use this.”

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