“To fool you into buying it,” Danny said, looking around. “Don’t tell Joe you call it milk. He has thoughts on that.”
“I bet he does. Okay—let me change my order,” she said, catching herself flirting. “No sugar. Dash ofrealmilk.”
“That’s more like it.” He poured her a cup and handed it to her. They clinked their mugs, nodded to each other. They each took a sip while maintaining eye contact.
Dot was the first to break the gaze. “By the way, I really love the bookstore in town,” she said. “The Jankowskis are so nice. Harper’s going to start reading for them during the Wednesday children’s hour.”
“They’ve always been very good to me,” he said. “I really want to try to help them figure out what they’re going to do with the store.”
“Do you think they’re going to have to sell it?”
“I hope not. But if they do, I’m afraid it won’t stay a bookstore.”
“That would be a shame.”
“Well, maybe they’ll think of something.” Danny’s knee moved and touched the side of Dot’s leg.
A spark shot through her, sharp and undeniable.
“I’ve been mulling over an idea for them,” Dot said, looking away, getting ahold of herself. “And it’s something I think you’d be perfect for. It’s a way to fix up the store and make it a little more... contemporary.”
“I’m all ears,” he said.
Feeling bold and excited about her idea, she decided to throw caution out the window. “Should we get together for a coffee and I can run it by you?”
He pulled out his phone and handed it to her. “Absolutely. Okay for me to have your number?”
Dot’s heart skipped a beat as she typed her number into his phone. She handed it back to him with a smile.
Grace and Joe noticed and made eye contact over Dot’s and Danny’s heads.
Joe waggled his eyebrows. Grace nodded. Another successful Sunday supper in the books.
Chapter 26
March turned to April. As the days got longer, the ice melted into mud season, and The Crew started to venture out a little more.
“I am starting to feel my fingers again.” Mary had never gotten used to the cold.
To take advantage of the warmer weather, Dot mapped out walking routes and used Manhattan landmarks as a guide to explain how far each was.
“Imagine going from the High Line at The Standard up to the Javits Center and back. Or, if you want something longer, we could do one that’s like going from Columbus Circle, up and around the Great Lawn, and over to The Plaza.”
“And then we have brunch?” Harper asked.
“Yes. With endless mimosas,” Dot replied.
“Then I’ll do either one. Mary, you choose.”
“The Plaza. I had to take the bar exam at the Javits. Awful.”
AROUND THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD,yellow daffodils and orange tulips sprung from the ground, and the pink cherry blossoms, dogwoods, and redbud trees punched through with bursts of color.
Gradually, then suddenly, there were more people outside their homes, getting their spring and summer landscaping in place. Cedar Fallers took great pride in their yards.
Everyone waved at them as they passed by.
“Nice weather, eh?”