Treasure on Lilac Lane (Jewell Cove 2)

“Are you kidding? They’re more than stunning. And they’re all one of a kind. At least let me try it. Let me keep one box of assorted ornaments and half a dozen candles in the store. If they sell—and they will, mark my words—then you’ll consider doing a few more.”

“I don’t know, Jess…”

“The Evergreen Festival is the second weekend of December. If I sell out by Thanksgiving, will you do more for festival weekend? The store will be crazy busy.”

He dithered for a moment but she put on her most hopeful look. “All right,” he relented. “But only if you sell out by the end of Thanksgiving weekend.”

Jess was confident the deal was solid. “Perfect.” She put everything back in the box. “I’ll price these, start a page for you in the consignment book, and get them on the shelf right away. Is a seventy-five percent consignment rate okay for you?”

“Is that what you usually charge?”

It wasn’t. She normally took thirty-five percent of the proceeds, but she knew Rick would insist on the same rate and she wanted to help him a little. He was out of work, after all.

“Yup,” she lied.

“Then you have a deal.” He checked his watch. “I suppose I should get going. You’ll want to close up soon.”

It was after four and she normally closed at five during the week in the off-season. Not only that, but she was glad for the company. Ever since the run-in with Pamela, she’d been oddly restless.

“Closing up’s no problem. All I have to do is lock the door and turn over the sign.”

“Oh.”

There were no classes tonight either. The hours stretched out in front of her, long and lonely. “Do you have plans for dinner?” The question popped out of her mouth before she even really thought about it.

“Dinner?”

Heat crept up her cheeks. “I mean … I was going to make some pasta or something. You’re welcome to stay. Unless you have other plans.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Let me check my social calendar,” he joked. His eyes narrowed a little. “Are you sure this is a good idea, Jess?”

“Why not? We’re friends, aren’t we?”

Right. Just friends. So why didn’t it feel that way?

“Friends,” he said, and shrugged. “I guess I could. You’re probably a better cook than I am.”

She grinned. “Let me close up, then. I’ll be right back.”

It only took a moment to lock the door and turn over the sign. Jess hit the switches and the store went dark, lit only by the shadowy light from the windows. This was dinner with a friend. It was not a date. So why did it feel like one?

Because of that stupid kiss. Because while neither of them wanted to admit it, there was something simmering between them. She’d backed off so many times where Rick was concerned. She’d been downright rude to hide how she really felt. So how far was she willing to let things go?

It was just pasta. It would be fine.

Rick was puzzling over a box of items when she went back to the workroom. “This looks interesting,” he commented, sorting through the supplies. “Wood circles, cloth, ribbon, clothespins. What are you making with this?”

Jess smiled, happy to be diverted from her train of thought. “On the Saturday of the festival, I’m holding a kid’s craft class in the afternoon.” She opened the drawer underneath the box and took out a completed item. “It’s a wish list ribbon. You decorate the disk, then glue the ribbon to the back and put on a magnet. Each child will get six clothespins to decorate. Then they cut out a picture of what they want for Christmas, or write it down, and clip it on the ribbon. Cute, right?”

“Definitely cute.”

“I’ll run the class while Tessa and my mom man the store. It’ll be a bananas day, but worth it.” She held out a hand. “You want to come through? If you don’t mind waiting for me to cook, that is.”

“I get to see the inner sanctum?”

His words made her even more nervous. It had been a long time since she’d brought a date through to her apartment. The past few years she’d gone out with a few nice men, but things had only progressed so far when she’d broken it off. It hadn’t been right …

As much as she told herself this wasn’t a date, it kind of was. They weren’t family. They’d kissed, for God’s sake. They were both single. And dammit all, they were both aware of something buzzing between them. She was sure of it.