Chapter 12 Mae #2
“Good. So what are you going to do?” she asks excitedly.
I huff. “June, it’s been thirty seconds. I don’t know, and again, he hasn’t asked me out.”
“So you are into him,” June grins.
My eyes roll before I can stop them. “I mean … he’s pretty hot.”
June makes a gagging sound and shakes her head. “Please don’t. Please keep those comments to yourself.”
I grin. “How old is Naomi?” I ask June.
June eats a couple more spoonfuls and says, “She’s seven. But that’s not my story to tell. That will have to come from him if the time ever comes.”
“And he’s not married and never has been?” I ask her again.
“Nope,” she pops the P. “I’m obsessed with this soup or stew or whatever. Can I have the recipe?”
I nod absently.
Maybe she’s right. Maybe Paxton isn’t just my place to reset, but it’s an opportunity to try again.
“Wait, why would you not take your own advice?” I ask her.
June smiles softly. “You caught that, didn’t you?”
I raise a brow.
“There’s always been a someone, but if I try, it wouldn’t simply be my life affected. It would be my family’s, and I’m not sure I’m ready to take that … leap yet. And I know he isn’t, so I leave it alone.”
I look at her profile a minute longer. We’re being honest with each other, but this feels like I shouldn’t push. It feels like something with history that might need to stay in the past.
“So, what are you going to do?” June asks.
I giggle and shake my head. “I don’t know, but right now I want to finish my dinner. We should watch—”
“If you say Yellowstone, I’m walking right out that door.”
I grin. “I was going to say, Dirty Dancing.”
“Ooo, I love that movie!” June says and scoops the rest of her food into her mouth before taking the bowl to the sink.
“You don’t have to do that,” I tell her.
“Nonsense, I can put a bowl in the dishwasher.”
I smile and finish eating. “Thank you, June. I think you’re my first friend here in Paxton.”
She grins. “I’m sure I won’t be your last,” she says, wiggling her eyebrows.
I shake my head, and we turn on the movie, using the DVD player because streaming anything out here is borderline impossible.
After the movie, when June gets her boots on, she pulls me into a hug. I’m frozen at first purely out of surprise because I didn’t expect it, then I hug her back.
“I’m here for you, Mae. You’re my friend, and I’ve got your back no matter what you decide to do, but …” she trails off, and I pull away to look her in the eye.
She smiles. “I get it. I can’t even explain to you how much I get how you’re feeling, but I keep telling myself if I don’t try, then I’ll never know.
I’m not saying the one is here, or going out on one date with any guy is the right choice for you, but you’re a good one, and I think Cooper noticed that, hence the flirting.
So maybe just think about diving back in, okay? ”
I nod because I don’t know what else to say.
Maybe she’s right. Maybe I’m keeping myself from potential happiness because I’m too afraid of getting hurt or let down like I have in the past. But I’m tired of playing the game.
I’m ready to get out of the game, for good, with or without someone at my side.
***
Running late, I finish up a six-month projection and send it to my boss before heading to the shop. I’ve been up since five in the morning and the three cups of coffee I had already wore off.
Part of me is a little excited because I have three deliveries to make. But I have to actually put the arrangements together, and I’m cutting it close.
As I roll into town, I pull into my parking spot on the side of the building and walk down the street to the Booked Bean.
The smell of cookies and coffee wafted into my nose, making my shoulders drop a little. It’s busy as usual. People heading out of Paxton who work in the city, grabbing their coffee before they go. A group of women who all have the same book, likely meeting for their book club.
Orders are shouted, and I wait my turn, looking around.
The walls have floor to ceiling shelves filled with books.
I’ve spotted some history, I even noticed a few math books, with a ton of fiction littered throughout.
There’s two couches in the corner of the cafe and the rest are small tables with chairs.
I never thought to come here and work, but I feel like I’d enjoy it.
A throat clears behind me. “Ma’am,” a man says.
I glance over my shoulder. “You’re next,” he says.
The girl behind the register stares at me with a smile on her face.
“Oh, sorry,” I mutter.
He chuckles. “That’s alright.”
Stepping up to the counter, I order a cappuccino with four shots of espresso.
“Boy, do you plan on sproutin’ wings and flyin’ away?” he asks.
I smile at him over my shoulder as the girl tells me the amount.
He’s cute. Relatively tall, broad shoulders, brown hair and eyes.
Before I can dig my card out of my purse, his arm brushes mine with a bill in his hand.
“On me. I’ll have a black cup of coffee, please, fill it to the brim, Chrissy,” he says.
“Oh, no, that’s okay. I don’t—”
He holds up his hand. “It’s my pleasure.”
Chrissy hands him his change, and he shoves it in his pocket as we move to the side to pick up our drinks.
“I’m Jacob,” he says.
“Mae, and thank you for the coffee,” I tell him.
He smiles and dips his chin. “I don’t think I’ve seen you around here,” he says.
I pin my lips together. I think I should start charging people for saying that to me. This town is so tight-knit that everyone notices someone new. “Yeah, I’m not from around here. My aunt used to run the Paxton Flower Shop.”
“Ah okay. And she’s not anymore?”
I shake my head. “It’s all me now.”
“Nice, do you enjoy it?” he asks me.
I study him carefully, and his expression is open. Kind. He genuinely wants to hear the answer.
“I think so. Running a business isn’t easy,” I tell Jacob.
He shakes his head. “I imagine so, but I wouldn’t know. I’m nothing but a ranch hand.”
“What ranch?” I ask him.
“Kensington Ranch, it’s well outside of town.”
“Oh, I was going to say I haven’t seen it.”
“So is it just you here, or did your family come too?” he asks me.
Smooth.
“It’s just me,” I say with a smile.
“Have you made some friends? Paxton is full of nice people.”
I giggle. “Yes, I have, and you’re right. I’ve met a lot of really kind people. It’s definitely different from what I’m used to.”
“And what are you used to?” Jacob asks.
I snort and quickly cover my face, embarrassment heating my cheeks.
Jacob chuckles.
I gather myself quickly and drop my hand. “I’m from Denver, Colorado, so not a small town.”
“Ah okay. I—”
Our drinks are called, and we each grab the ones with our names on them.
“It was nice to meet you Jacob, I have to get going.”
He follows me out the door, holding it open for me.
“Thank you,” I say and start walking toward the shop.
Jacob catches up to me.
“Hey, uh, while I have you, would you like to go for a drink with me at the Wooden Cowboy?” he asks.
My feet halt and I stare up at him and hope I don’t look like an idiot.
What do I do? I was taking a break from dating. But this handsome man is asking me out. He doesn’t know me. This time could be different.
Jacob stares at me, waiting for my answer, and I can see the rejection falling over his face, but that’s not what this is about.
“I’m only here for about a year,” I tell him.
He tilts his head. “One day at a time,” he says.
June is right. The circumstances have changed. I won’t know if I don’t try. Screw it.
“I would love to. When were you thinking?”
His nervous mouth lifts into a smile. “How about tonight? I can pick you up?” he asks.
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Great, I’ll pick you up at seven, and you’re at the Crawford’s right?” he asks.
“Right.”
“Can I give you my number?” he asks. “I’d give you my phone, but I left it in the truck.”
“That would be helpful, wouldn’t it?” I giggle nervously and fish my phone out of my purse.
“I’ll call you so you have mine,” I tell him.
Jacob recites his number, and I dial it.
“I’ll see you soon, Mae.”
I wave and watch him walk away for a second before heading to the shop.
The moment I get in the door. I set my coffee down and text June.
Mae: I swear you’re psychic or something.
June: As weird as it sounds, that’s not the first time I’ve heard that.
Mae: Some guy I ran into at the Booked Bean bought my coffee and asked me out.
June: What’s his name? I probably know him.
Mae: Jacob?
June: Did he give you a last? I know like five Jacobs.
Mae: Honestly, it didn’t even cross my mind.
Another text pops through with an unentered number, but I recognize it, Jacob.
Jacob: See you at seven
I smile and respond with a smiley face before going back to June.
June: Hm, okay, lol well if it gets bad, call me and we can do the — it’s an emergency thing
Mae: LOL deal. He’s picking me up at 7.
June: Where y’all going?
Mae: The Wooden Cowboy
June: It is a staple.
Mae: I mean, it’s one of two bars in this town
June: What can I say? We’re a thriving country town of simple tastes.
June: So I take it you’re lifting the dating ban?
Mae: Yeah, you’re right, what’s the point when the circumstances are different. I might as well try. I even told him I’m here for a year, and it didn’t seem to bother him. He said, one day at a time.
June: that could mean one of two things but I’m going to hope for the better one.
Mae: I know, I know. But if anything, maybe this is what I need to … keep trying.
June: That’s my girl!
Mae: Omg I have no idea what to wear
June: Keep it simple. Jeans and a cute top. I’m assuming you have cowboy boots.
Mae: Okay, and yes, I do.
June: Do that.
June: Should I come and pretend I’m there to have fun and not spy on you?
Mae: LOL no, I think I’ve got it
June: cool. I’ll talk to you later. I need to get back to work. I have to check on a few new foals.
Mae: OMG SO CUTE SEND PICS
June sends me a thumbs-up, and I set my phone down with a content sigh. It’s time to get back on that horse.