Page 51 of Welcome to Forever
“Look who’s here,” Julie announced as Kat came into view. Then with pronounced enjoyment, Julie added, “And look who’snothere.”
Kat searched the room as if Ben might be hiding under a couch cushion.
“He’s home with my aunt Clara tonight.” Micah took a step forward and offered a small potted plant with a pretty pink flower budding at its center.
She smiled at the gesture as she accepted the plant. “It’s lovely. Thank you. I hope everything’s all right with Ben.”
Micah waved a hand. “Apparently, it’s not cool to escort your parent on a date with your principal.”
Despite her nervousness, Kat laughed.
Julie reached for the plant in her sister’s hand with a peculiar look. “I’ll take that.Niceflowers,” she said, obviously not understanding the gesture.
Kat understood it, though, and she loved it. Taking his hand, she allowed him to lead her to the door.
“Hey, Micah.” Julie took a few retreating steps and then leaned in toward him, lowering her voice to what was supposed to be a whisper. “Show my sister a good time, will you? It’s been a long time coming.”
Mortified heat rose up in Kat’s cheeks.For the love of chocolate.She hoped he had no idea what her sister was talking about. When she looked up at Micah, though, it was obvious by the large grin on his face that he did.
He squeezed her hand tighter. “Don’t wait up,” he called to Julie behind them, and then he led Kat to his Jeep.
—
Bring flowers—check. Open her car door—check.
Micah mentally reviewed the checklist his aunt had rattled off before going out on his date with Kat tonight. He didn’t need a checklist, though. It’d been a long time, but he remembered how to treat a woman on a date. “You look beautiful tonight, by the way,” he said.
Kat brushed a strand of hair from her face and smiled at him. “Thank you. I hope Ben isn’t scarred for life because his father and principal are out together.”
“He’s fine. Just didn’t want to hang out with a bunch of old people this evening,” he said. “And he wasn’t referring to the folks at the Veterans’ Center.”
Kat laughed. “Isn’t your aunt older than us?”
Micah nodded. “Yes, but she’s apparently a lot more fun.”
The real truth was, Ben was matchmaking. Even though the last woman Micah had dated had shred his heart to pieces, Ben still believed his father could find the missing link in their family. He’d stopped believing his real mother was that link a long time ago.
“Do you think eyebrows will raise when you walk in with someone new on your arm tonight?” Micah asked.
Kat shrugged, drawing his attention to the smooth, bare skin on her shoulders. “Probably, but it won’t stop the regulars from flirting with me.” She pulled the cardigan that had slipped down to her elbows back up, and then cinched it tight across her chest.
“You cold?” he asked, instinctively turning on the heater.
“No, I’m fine. Just nervous, I guess.”
“Because of me? Don’t be.”
“I haven’t been on a date in a long time. Not since…” Her sentence fell off and Micah watched her hand absently fidget with the ring on her finger.
“Not since your fiancé died?” he asked.
She nodded. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t bring that subject up. It’s in my past, not my future.”
“It’s okay. It’s part of who you are. What happened?” he asked, uncertain if he really wanted to know.
She hesitated. “Are you sure?”
“No. But tell me anyway.” He listened as she sucked in a long breath.
