“Now that’s mighty neighborly of you, Ms. Donovan.” He winked, and if she were another type of woman, she might have swooned. “You’ve made me reassess my opinion. You’re definitely friendly. In fact, if I were Nicole, I’d be damned glad you had my back.”
“That might be the nicest compliment I ever received.”
“Macy! Food’s up!”
“Excuse me,” she said to her customer. She walked back to the kitchen.
“Who’s the hunk?” Aunt Lulu asked.
Macy narrowed her gaze. “What are you doing here? Isn’t it bridge night?”
“I stopped by to pick up the pie I baked for after we play. Now spill.”
Macy loved her aunt, trusted her business sense, and knew she had a big heart. But she also loved to gossip, which meant she wasn’t giving the woman any information. Not until she knew what was going on with Tyler from Nicole herself.
“Just a customer.” She picked up his order. “Thanks, Dad!” She waved to her father, the cook in the back. He shared shifts with her uncle.
He winked at her and went about his business. He hadn’t inherited his sister’s propensity for talking or gossip.
“Have fun tonight,” she said to her aunt, and walked back into the restaurant with Tyler’s food.
She set his meal in front of him, noting once more the utter perfection of his chiseled features, and did her best not to sigh. In a small town like Serendipity, Macy had seen all the available men and often despaired of meeting anyone new. Didn’t it figure the one she found droolworthy was her new friend’s ex. And true friends just didn’t go there.
“Enjoy,” she said, turning to go.
“Keep me company?” he asked, surprising her.
She wasn’t technically scheduled to work anyway . . . “Let me just get myself something to eat and I’ll be right back,” she agreed, knowing that her attraction to this man was a bad thing.
But he hadn’t shown any reciprocal interest and clearly he was here for Nicole. And if Nicole had really ended things with him, he wouldn’t remain in town for long. So Macy decided that keeping him company wouldn’t hurt anyone at all.
Five
After viewing the absolutely perfect house next door to Sam’s, Nicole immediately agreed to the rental. She and Henry Brown, a nice older man, had shaken hands, and with them moving out for good tomorrow, she could be in this coming weekend. In true small-town fashion, the couple wasn’t worried about doing a background check because they were happy to take Sam the cop’s word, and he’d vouched for Nicole. Promising to forward the lease information tomorrow, they said good-bye, excited to let their children know about the rental.
Nicole had a new home.
Suddenly overwhelmed, she tried not to panic. She had to make a list of things to do—talk to Joe, her landlord, and give notice; pack up her apartment; hire movers . . . or could she do the move in short car trips?
“Are you okay?” Sam asked as they walked back across the lawn.
She nodded. “I think I’m just in shock.”
He laughed. “Good shock, I hope.”
She thought about the kitchen and the space, the beautiful bedroom with a small chaise longue giving her a place to curl up and read. “Awesome shock,” she assured him. “I’m going to love living in a house.”
“I’m going to love having you next door,” he said in a husky voice.
She shivered at the sexual innuendo inherent in his words and his tone.
She followed him inside his house and into the kitchen.
Without warning, a yawn hit. She covered her mouth but was unable to stifle the small noise that escaped, and she laughed.
“The day must be catching up with me. I’m exhausted.” She turned to Sam. “Would you mind driving me back to town?”
“Yes, I think I would mind.” He stepped closer, invading her personal space, not that she cared.