Page 25 of Peach Blossom Hollow

How long could a man live like that?

Maybe that was why he was so eager to find someone, even someone who wasn’t quite the right fit.

She shifted, getting more comfy. “So, Christine Lagrée? You know what she likes and wants?”

“Jewelry, chocolate, flowers?”

“Some women enjoy traditional gifts. Does Christine?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Well, most people like to know that they’ve been thought about…”

“Do you like gifts?”

“The right gift, yes. But if Christine didn’t really warm up to your flowers, she might want something different. You need to pay attention to what she likes and responds to if you’re hoping to woo her. Maybe she’d like you to plan an outing for the two of you. You know, show her some attention. Or maybe she likes compliments.”

“Compliments? She’s not superficial.”

“It isn’t superficial to feel good if someone compliments you.”

“I guess not. It just seems, I don’t know... Fake? Disingenuous to start complimenting her, like a pat to her ego, especially when she works hard for an organization like the Special Olympics.”

“You think she’d be above compliments? Even genuine ones?”

“Yeah.”

“Hmm.” They sipped their tea. “Your shirt looks nice. It brings out the color of your eyes.” All night she’d kept getting caught by how his dark blue eyes seemed mountain-lake-blue due to the green in his shirt. “I’m glad we’re having this cup of tea and getting to know each other more.”

“Thanks. Me, too.” He smiled, one of those warm, sweet ones where she knew he was feeling good. Interesting. Kind words filled his cup in a way Violet hadn’t expected. Maybe because he was still such a self-reliant cowboy it could easily seem that he might be above needing to hear nice things about himself.

Which was silly because, man or woman, didn’t everyone like that?

Even big-hearted women like Christine.

Violet laughed. “Those were examples of nice words. Compliments.”

“Oh.” His shoulders dropped.

She laughed again, charmed by his reaction, then reached over and gave his arm a quick squeeze. “But they were genuine.”

In fact, she was a bit in awe that her jaw hadn’t locked up, complimenting him so truthfully, so genuinely. Was it the fact they were solidly in the friend zone that she could be at ease around him even though he was such a tremendous hottie?

“They were nice. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I should compliment people more. And I get your point about Christine.”

“Cool. So you can also try doing things for her.”

“Like fixing a car?” Leo gave Violet a pointed look.

“Yeah, actually.”

“Okay, well, Christine has a new car…”

“But other things. Like if she’s at an event and carrying her coat everywhere, you could offer to take it to the coat check, or hold it for her.”

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