Chapter Nineteen #2
“Go ahead,” he said. “I’ll be here. We’ll catch up later.”
The words do you promise hovered on the tip of her tongue, but she bit them back. She didn’t want him to think she was falling for him—even if she might be.
“Okay,” she said. “I’ll see you in a little bit.”
Soon she was surrounded by friends that she’d known all of her life. She strained to pay attention to the conversation because she was constantly looking over her shoulder for Brad. Every now and then when their gazes would connect, her heart would skip a beat.
She knew it was foolish to let her guard down with him. After all, he lived in a different town in a different state in a different time zone. Nothing good would come of letting herself get caught up in whatever this was between them. And still she kept looking in his direction.
She was breathtakingly beautiful.
Brad was glad he’d flown in for the party. Even from a distance, he took pleasure in watching Abby smiling and enjoying herself. He loved the way she could go from person to person and put smiles on their faces.
The chocolate shop was crammed with well-wishers.
And the gift table was heaped with wrapped gifts in pastel shades of pink, white, blue, and green.
There were gift bags and frilly ribbons and impressive bows.
He felt bad that all he had for her was a card.
But he’d put something in the fridge that he knew she would enjoy.
“And what are you smiling about?”
Brad looked to his side to find Reed standing there. “I’m not smiling. You’re smiling.”
“You never smile like that unless we’re closing on an important deal. And even then, you don’t smile like that.” Reed followed his gaze directly to Abby. “You have it bad for her.”
“I do not.” His rebuke came out much faster than he’d intended.
Reed arched a brow. “I don’t believe your denial. And if you believe it, you’re a fool. She’s the best thing that has ever happened to you.”
Without another word, Reed turned and walked away, leaving Brad alone with his thoughts. And that wasn’t a good thing, because he envisioned what it would be like if he lived in the same town as Abby.
He tried to imagine what their first date would look like.
Would Abby expect something fancy? He looked over at her as she spoke to an older couple.
When she laughed, her cheeks plumped up, and her big brown eyes sparkled.
She wasn’t fancy. She didn’t have to be.
She had an innate beauty that started within and worked its way outward.
So, their first official date wouldn’t be anything fancy. But it should be something fun. Yes, definitely fun. Maybe a baseball game. But it was still winter out.
Perhaps ice skating. The idea definitely had merit. But did Abby know how to skate? He had absolutely no idea. There was so much about her he didn’t know—that he found himself longing to learn everything about her.
He snacked on some of the pigs in a blanket, which were little smoked sausages wrapped in puff pastry.
Someone had thought to add a little cheddar to each one, and it made all the difference.
There was a crockpot with meatballs in a sweet and savory sauce.
They were okay. A big platter of vegetables and dip.
And a whole host of finger foods spread out over a long banquet table.
His attention was drawn back to Abby as she opened her presents. She’d received an inordinate amount of coffee mugs. Apparently, people must think if you own a coffeeshop that you automatically need more mugs. Fascinating.
Abby made sure to thank each and every person who gave her a gift. Of course, she didn’t thank him because he hadn’t given her his card yet. All in due time.
One by one the guests departed. And after Brad helped her friends clean up, they also left. And then it was just him and her. This was the moment he’d been waiting for all evening.
Abby smiled at him. “I’m sorry we didn’t get to talk during the party.”
“Don’t be. You were the birthday girl enjoying your party.”
“And what did you do while I was talking to people?” Her eyes twinkled with happiness.
He stepped closer to her. As he stared into her eyes, he momentarily forgot the question. It took him a second or two, but then he recalled what she’d said. “I was busy over here, sampling the food.”
The smile fell from her face. “So, you aren’t hungry?”
“Why? Are you?”
She nodded. “I was so busy talking that I never got around to eating anything. Sadie and I were on our way to dinner when we happened upon the surprise party. But then again, I guess we didn’t just stumble across it. Sadie had it all planned out.”
“Well, since you’re hungry, walk this way.” He started toward the back of the chocolate shop. When he noticed that Abby wasn’t walking with him, he turned to her. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t think we should go into the kitchen. Besides, there’s nothing but chocolate in there.”
“It’s okay,” he said. “Carrie said we could borrow it.”
“She did?”
He smiled and nodded. “Come on. Your present awaits you.”
He hoped she liked it. With the help of her friends, his idea had grown and expanded.