20. AUSTIN
Chapter twenty
AUSTIN
The sound of crickets chirping, along with the wind blowing against the grass blades, makes this moment seem more intense.
As I stare at Hayley's cottage door, my heart pounds in my chest and my mouth suddenly feels dry. The bouquet of flowers I picked this morning trembles slightly in my hand. In that moment, all I can think about is seeing her face.
I knock.
The moment Hayley opens the door, the air in my lungs ceases to exist. It's a familiar feeling these days, one that hits me every time I lay eyes on her. Her smile, the way her nose crinkles each time, sends a jolt through my entire body. Her eyes, filled with warmth, make me forget my own name for a split second.
"Hey there, cowboy," she says.
I am a whipped man.
I clear my throat, trying to remember how to form words. "Evening, Hayley," I manage to say, tipping my hat. "These are for you." I hand her the bouquet, our fingers brushing lightly in the exchange.
"Thank you, they're beautiful," she replies, bringing the flowers to her nose and inhaling deeply.
Before I can stop myself, the words tumble out of my mouth. "But it could never be as beautiful as you."
There's a pause as we both stare at each other, the air between us charged with an electric tension. I can see a blush creeping up her cheeks, and I'm sure my face is just as red. I’m thankful for the Texas sun hiding the flush.
Finally, she breaks the silence. "Come in," she says softly, stepping aside to let me enter.
As I step into the cottage, I'm immediately struck by how much work Hayley has put into decorating the space. Soft, warm lights cast a cozy glow over the room, and I spot a few new paintings on the walls – all scenic pictures of our little town.
At the same time, a mouth-watering aroma wafts through the air, making my stomach growl. It smells familiar, almost like walking into a home. Whatever it is, I can tell Hayley has outdone herself.
As we begin speaking, I notice how she smiles nervously, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. The gesture sends a twinge through my chest, and I have to fight the urge to reach out and do it myself.
"Oh, let me just grab the-" she starts, but I cut her off.
"Allow me," I say, moving towards her chair. "You should sit. I'll get the wine."
I pull out her chair, partly to be a gentleman, but mostly to stop myself from making any other impulsive moves. As she sits, I make my way to the kitchen counter where a bottle of red wine is waiting.
As I grab the bottle, my gaze drifts down to the mini trash can under the island. What I see inside makes a small smile start to form at the corner of my lips, but I quickly bite the inside of my cheek to stop it from spreading. There, barely hidden beneath a few napkins, is a takeout plate and wrapper from Vida's Diner in town.
Suddenly, the familiar scent makes sense. But I'm not about to say anything – I can see how much effort Hayley has put into setting up this evening, and besides, I'm getting a free meal. Who am I to complain?
I return to the table without missing a beat, filling the glass with just enough wine. As I sit down across from Hayley, I'm struck by how much this moment feels like that night at the restaurant. The soft lighting, the intimate setting, the way her eyes seem to focus each time she speaks – it's all achingly familiar and new at the same time.
"So," I say, raising my glass, "how's work been treating you? Any interesting cases lately?"
Hayley launches into a story about a property dispute she's been mediating between two of the town's oldest families. Her passion to help her clients is evident in the way she speaks, her hands moving animatedly as she describes the details of the case.
"And then," she says, leaning in slightly, "Henry pulls out a map from 1892 that he swears proves the property line is three feet to the left of where everyone thought it was!"
I can't help but laugh. "Let me guess, it was drawn in crayon?"
"Might as well have been," she giggles, and the sound makes my heart skip a beat. "I swear, sometimes I feel more like a kindergarten teacher than a lawyer."
As we continue to talk and laugh, I can feel the tension between us simmering just beneath the surface. Every accidental brush of our hands as we reach for our wine glasses sends a jolt of electricity through me. The way she looks at me from under her lashes makes my breath catch in my throat.
Finally, as we're finishing the main course, Hayley stands up to grab some napkins, continuing the conversation.
"And then, they decided to settle out of court. That was for the best – "
She suddenly stops, and as I look to see what has happened, I realize she's standing in the same spot I stood earlier, looking down at something below the island.
"What's wrong?" I ask, about to stand up.
She slowly turns towards me, and I can see Hayley's eyes widen, a deep blush spreading across her cheeks. "I... uh... well..." she stammers, looking absolutely mortified.
As soon as I see her reaction, I become more concerned. "Hayley, should I – Oh." I pause, realizing what she could have seen.
"There's no way you didn't see it."
I can't hold back my laughter any longer. "Hayley, it's okay. The dinner was perfect, and I love every single thing about it."
For a moment, she looks like she might cry from embarrassment, but then she bursts out laughing too. "Oh golly," she says between giggles, "I'm so sorry. I wanted to cook for you, I really did, but then I burned the first batch, and I panicked, and-"
I reach across the table and take her hand, cutting off her rambling. "Hey, it's perfect. Really. The fact that you went to all this trouble... it means a lot."
She smiles at me, relief evident in her eyes, and I'm struck once again by how beautiful she is. We finish our meal going back and forth, and I feel like we have gotten even closer than before.
But eventually, the night must come to an end.
This is something I realize these days- time seems to fly away whenever I’m with her.
Time is never enough.
As I stand at the door, preparing to leave, I watch as another strand of hair falls across Hayley's face. This time, I can't stop myself. Without breaking a sweat, I reach out and gently tuck the hair behind her ear.
"Good night, Hayley," I say softly, my hand lingering for just a moment. "And thanks for the dinner."
She looks dazed, her eyes wide and lips slightly parted. I tip my hat, savoring the image of her standing there in the soft light of her cottage, and then force myself to turn and walk away.
As I drive back to the main residence, my mind is a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The feel of Hayley's soft hair under my fingertips, the sound of her laughter, the way I enjoy her company – it all replays in my head on a loop.
I find myself grinning like a fool as I park and head inside. Tonight was... perfect. Even with the takeout food and the initial awkwardness, it was everything I could have hoped for and more.
As I open the door to the house, my dogs come rushing towards me, barking excitedly as they sniff my clothes. For some reason, they aren't as excited to see me, but are here for the subtle scent I have carried back home.
"She's not here guys. She's not here."
But they continue: "Woof, woof.”
I can't help but chuckle.
As I get ready for bed, I wonder what tomorrow will bring. Probably more work, and hopefully I’ll be able to spend more time with Hayley.
I'll take whatever I can get.
Even if it's just a split second.