“To go, please.”
He ignored the flash of disappointment on her face and scanned the interior again, feeling a vague pang of disappointment himself. He’d known the chances of running into the mystery woman again were slim, but like Jess, he’d felt an inexplicable spark of hope that their paths would cross again.
“That woman that was here the other day,” he said. “Has she been back, by any chance?”
“The one who spilled coffee all over you?”
“That’s the one.”
Jess frowned, as if she didn’t want to talk abouther. “She was in this morning. Why?”
Patrick’s heart beat a little faster. She was still in town. He wondered if she’d paid cash again, like last time, or if she’d used a card.
“Just curious. Know anything about her?”
Jess’s frown deepened. “Other than the fact that she dumped coffee on you and didn't seem especially bothered about it, no.”She smoothed out her features. “You were very nice about it, by the way. More so than most people would be.”
“Well, it was my fault.”
“See what I mean? Too nice. It was totally on her.”
Jess handed him the cup, holding on a little longer than necessary. Patrick gently claimed his coffee, then pulled a ten out of his pocket and slipped it on the counter. “Thanks, Jess.”
She blushed. “Let me get your change.”
“Keep it.”
Patrick walked out of the café, making a mental note to avoid it—and Jess—for a while. As he made his way toward the hardware store, he wondered what he could do to increase the likelihood of their paths crossing again.
As it turned out,he didn’t have to do anything.
He'd been to the hardware store and was cutting back across the square when he felt it. Nothing tangible, just an awareness. He paused beside one of the sugar maples and sought the source, knowing he’d found it when he caught sight of a familiar figure coming out of the bookstore with a bag in her hand and head toward the diner.
Through the large glass windows, he saw her take a booth in the back. A waitress came and took her order. Then she pulled a book out of the bag and began to read.
He put down the buckets and checked his phone. Garrett said he’d be working late, and he wasn’t scheduled to be at the pub until later. He needed to eat, right?
He dropped his purchases off in his SUV, then made his way quickly back to the diner. The mystery woman was still in the window, sipping iced tea, her attention on her book. She looked softer in profile, her features relaxed, as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and bit her lip. What was she reading, he wondered?
As if she’d sensed him too, she raised her gaze and looked out the window. Her eyes scanned the square before coming to rest on him. His pulse sped up again.
From just alook.
His phone vibrated, and he absently pulled it out of his pocket, frowning when he saw Riley’s name on the screen. Riley preferred texts over calls, so he knew it was important.
“Riley. What’s up?”
“Can you cover my shift at the pub tonight?”
He glanced at the diner. Yep, she was still looking.
“I’m kind of in the middle of something. Everything okay?”
“It will be,” she said firmly.
“What’s going on?”
“I’ll fill you in later. If Mom or Dad asks, I’m shopping with Kate. Thanks! You’re the best.”