Page 44 of Finding New Dreams

I shook away the unhelpful thoughts. “It’s not finished yet.”

He quirked one eyebrow as if he didn’t believe that was the reason. “And when it is?”

“Maybe.”

He threw up his hands. “Fine. I concede…for now.”

He continued to look down at me, his smile full of secrets. I couldn’t look away. He was so close I swore I felt his fingertips graze the hem of my sweatshirt.

Swallowing a gasp, I blinked. “Hungry?”

“Starving.”

“Spaghetti?”

“Perfect.”

And still I couldn’t step away from him. His smile widened as if he could the feel the conflict twisting my insides. Then he slowly moved backward, still facing me as if he were giving me a chance to stop him. When I didn’t, he turned to the kitchen.

“I’ll boil the water,” he announced, proceeding to dig through my few cabinets.

Snapping out of whatever spell I’d been under, I hurried forward to help him.

Twenty minutes later, we sat down at the island that doubled as my dinner table. Two steaming piles of spaghetti. Two glasses of wine.

When was the last time I’d had anyone over for dinner? I usually went out when meeting people. Even if it was just to Gina’s for reheated ravioli.

But I kinda liked seeing two place settings on my table.

For a few moments, we ate in silence. The steady thump, thump of the dryer and the soothing static of the rain on the roof were the only sounds.

But dear lord, did I wish for the dryer to be done so he could finally put a shirt back on. He must not be cold since he hadn’t asked for anything to warm himself up. Maybe he just ran really hot.

Or maybe he liked the way I couldn’t tear my gaze away from him. Because every time I finally did, he’d have a little smirk on his face.

Like now.

I cleared my throat and took a large gulp of wine. “So how was your night last night?”

The smirk disappeared. “Fine. Hunter, Owen, and I went out to Tall Tales for a beer and some pool.”

“How do you like your soon-to-be brother-in-law?”

Flynn twirled some spaghetti around his fork. “He’s…worthy. He talks about Chloe a lot, and from the way he looks at her, it’s a forever thing, I think.”

Did I detect a note of jealousy in his voice?

I nodded in agreement. “No question about their relationship. But how do you feel about him? Think you’ll be friends one day?”

Flynn chewed his bite, his brow wrinkled. “I think so. I’d like to be. It’s just weird. I can tell he’s really good friends already with Owen, Carter, and Wyatt. Even the townsfolk seem to like him despite how quiet and serious he is.” He shrugged. “I almost feel like I’m on the outside. I left. My friends moved on. New people, like you and Gina, moved to town. Hunter swooped in, and you all formed a tight group of friends. One that I’m not sure I fit into anymore.”

His earlier comment about being lonely came surging back. I set down my fork, twisting my hands in my lap to keep from reaching for his hand. “I can’t speak for everyone else, but my life always has room for more good friends.”

He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. His long fingers stroked the stem of his wine glass. “Speaking of last night, how was your date?”

My chest tightened. “Oh, um, great. Well, not great. It was…okay.”

“Tell me about it.”

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