Page 19 of Rumors in Bayberry
He dismissed the taunting thought.They only had the here and now.He needed to make the most of today and let the rest go.
He picked up a menu and opened it.He didn’t know why he bothered because he already knew what he was ordering.
He looked over the top of the menu.“What are you getting?”
“I was planning to get the salad again.It was really good.How about you?”
“I was thinking the same thing.”He couldn’t help but smile because they had that in common too.
She gave him a funny look.“Then why are you looking at the menu?”
He shrugged.“I just thought something else would jump out at me and be more appealing.But I’m not seeing anything more tempting.”
When he lowered the menu, he couldn’t help but think he was looking straight at his greatest temptation.In that moment, he just wanted to call off work for a week and push back his meeting with Sadie’s father.Reed could imagine spending the week drowning in her emerald green eyes and puzzling out that funny feeling he got in his chest every time she flashed him one of her sunny smiles.
Realizing he’d looked at her a moment too long, he glanced away.He made a point of looking for their server.All the while, he hoped she hadn’t noticed him staring at her.If she did, she didn’t say anything.
They ended up placing the exact same order as the day before, even down to their drinks.He knew he’d just met her, but he could already imagine this thing between them growing.It was crazy.Things like this never happened to him.
It was good that he had his meeting the next day.When it was over, he’d either be leaving town or he’d be sticking around to iron out a deal.
He hoped it was the latter, because the more time he spent in Bayberry, the more he’d come to care about the town.He wanted good things for it.And he thought that was what his company could do for them.He truly believed it.Now he had to see if Mr.Plummer agreed with him.
“Hey, where’d you go?”Sadie’s voice interrupted his thoughts.
“Sorry.I was just thinking about some stuff I have to do this week.”
Her nose curled up.“You mean work?”When he nodded, she said, “We don’t have to think about that today.Tomorrow will be here soon enough.”
“You’re not looking forward to Monday morning?”
She dramatically rolled her eyes.“Does anyone look forward to it?”
“I see your point.”After their iced teas were delivered, he realized it was time to change the subject.They were dancing around the subject of his work, and he was hesitant to get into it with her.“Any tips for today?”
“You mean with the maze?”When he nodded, she said, “Just do what you did yesterday.I heard nothing but good things about you.I had numerous people tell me that you have to stay and work it all week.”Her gaze prodded him.“What do you say?Do you want the job?It pays absolutely nothing but goodwill?”
It took him a second to realize she was being serious.“Oh.Uh…” He didn’t want to hurt her feelings.In fact, that was the last thing he wanted to do.“This weekend has been a lot of fun.And to be honest, I really needed the break.I didn’t realize until I met you how much of a workaholic I’d become.”
“I bet you can’t even remember the last time you took some vacation time.”
She had him there.He stopped and gave it some thought.It had been before he’d launched theRumor Quill.It seemed like a lifetime ago, but he recalled going to Cancun.
“See.I was right.”She grinned at him.“I’m sure you have a lot of accumulated paid leave.Take the week off and enjoy yourself.Next to Christmas, this is the best time of the year to visit Bayberry.There are special events planned for the rest of the week.”
He couldn’t help but smile at her genuine appeal for him to stay in town.“If journalism doesn’t work out for you, you should definitely consider becoming a salesperson.”
Her grin broadened.“Does that mean I’ve sold you on a week’s vacation right here in Bayberry?”
His smile faltered.“I wish that was possible, but I’m working on a deadline.”
Her lips fell into a straight line.“I see.Well, at least I tried.”
“You did.And who knows, maybe someday I’ll make my way back here.”
“And maybe I’ll be back for a visit, and we could possibly run into each other.”
They both knew the chances of that happening were slim to none.All they had was the rest of the day.
