Page 19 of Tempting the Heart

I shook my head. “Nope. Steph has Tuesday mornings, so I can get stuff done around the house.”

He looked at the tiny cottage and smiled. “This is so you, Mayflower.”

I cocked my head curiously. “Really? Why?”

“Tiny, wild, cute, and…” His voice trailed off as he glanced at the view of the water. “Whimsical.”

I stood and took a deep breath as my hand flew to my hips. “Whimsical? Wild? Are you describing a pixie or your best friend’s sister?”

He chuckled. “Sometimes, I wonder if you’re both.”

It was true that even though I was the oldest sister, I happened to be the shortest.

“Well, if you step any closer, I might sprinkle some pixie dust on you, and who knows what could happen next?” I teased.

He took a step, and his eyes remained on mine. “I’d be willing to find out.”

“You must be bored today,” I joked, shaking my head.

His smile widened as he stood a foot away from me. If I didn’t know better, I’d say our chemistry was off the charts.

Tyler reached over and softly touched the tip of my nose and cheek.

“What are you doing?”

“You had some dirt.” His thumb fell to my chin, and the electricity was jarring as I dropped my gaze to an empty pot.

I chuckled and shook my head. “The hazards of gardening.”

“I suppose I couldn’t convince you to come for a drive with me? Check out the beach somewhere.” His gaze caught mine, and my breath hitched when I noticed the intensity in his gaze.

“I’m a mess.” I looked down at my pink camisole with dirt smudged along the hemline and my denim shorts displaying the same issue. “And I have to go in to the coffee shop later.”

Disappointment flicked through his gaze… or had it been my imagination?

He nodded and glanced toward the water. “Hey, I know you picked up dinner, by the way. Very smooth.”

I chuckled and shook my head, feigning innocence. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You slipped the server your credit card. In hindsight, it was plain as day, but at the time, I just thought you were flirting with him.”

My foot stomped on the ground. “Flirting with him? Seriously?”

He shoved his hands into his pockets and nodded. “Yeah. Kind of. It did cross my mind. Not that it matters if you did.”

“I wouldn’t flirt with Jack. He’s like my… I don’t know what he’s like, but I wasn’t flirting.”

Tyler’s brows rose. “So, you do know him apart from eating a meal at the place?”

I chuckled, not answering him.

The truth was that Jack had asked me out several times, but I just never had the guts to give it a go.

“Anyway, I know I’m not here for very long, but between the free coffee and dinner last night, I’d like to take you out tomake up for it.” He shook his head. “Not to mention, I know you and your brother plan on showing up tomorrow no matter what I’ve said.”

“You’ve got your hands full with everything. It’s the least we can do,” I told him with a shrug.

He nodded quietly and let out a heavy sigh. I doubt he even knew he did it.

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