Checking Every Box

want to. But…”

Steve nodded, reaching out to snap the stem of a large pink daisy from the centerpiece, tucking it behind my ear. “You just met me, and it’s too fast. How about this – Will you come to my new place tonight? We could order in pizza and just think about what furniture needs changing.”

“Oh, I have my book club tonight,” I stammered.

He gently stroked my hand on the tablecloth. “That’s all right, sweetheart. Perhaps the next evening?”

My head was nodding before I could even think. “Sure.”

“Wonderful.” He looked unbelievably pleased as he smiled at me. It was strange that he needed me to commit to another date. It was almost as if he needed affirmation that we were indeed together in some way.

Perhaps he needed to have certain things set out in black and white just like I did.

CHAPTER EIGHT

* Steve *

The walk back to Heather’s office was absolutely delightful. She was falling right into the role of tour guide, pointing out landmarks, quirky little pubs, and an almost hidden bookstore.

Holding her hand as we walked, our fingers entwined, I felt like this was it. Heather was the one. Everything about her was exactly what I’d always wanted. She obviously did not play games. She was sweet and charming. She enjoyed clever jokes, but also cheeky, naughty ones.

I understood her desire for order, and hoped that I didn’t overwhelm her too badly. But as far as I was concerned, this was it. I couldn’t wait to have her back to my new home so that she could tell me how she wanted to decorate it. Obviously, we would have to wait a few months before I could move her in with me, but I was willing to wait.

She dropped my hand as we neared her building, flashing me a guilty look. “I understand, it’s alright,” I murmured.

As we went up to the office, Joel came out of the conference room wearing a huge salesperson smile. “Steve, congratulations. I’m so glad that you found a place you like.”

“Thank you for your help with this,” I said, “Especially allowing Heather to escort me for the tours. She was unbelievably helpful. In fact, it was her input that made me choose the second condo.”

Joel grinned, clapping Heather on the shoulder as he led us to the conference room while Heather darted away to her desk. We breezed through all of the paperwork, and since I had no need for a mortgage, it was fairly minimal. “How soon could I take possession?” I asked.

“Since you’re also purchasing almost all of the furniture, immediately,” Joel said. “I’ll have the staging company contact you, and they can make arrangements to pick up and switch out anything you need.”

“Thank you. I’d like to have that done within a few days.”

Joel chuckled as he gave his head a shake. “I appreciate efficiency,” he said. “People who know what they want and simply get the job done.”

Glancing out the window at Heather, I said, “When something is right, you just know. There’s no reason to waste time or stand on ceremony.”

He gave me a strange look, but handed me the keys, and copies of the paperwork.

As we walked back out to the lobby, he shook my hand heartily, then darted back to his office. I instantly turned to Heather. The way she smiled up at me was heartwarming, but she also looked a bit nervous. I noticed that she’d taken the flower from her hair and placed it in a little water glass on her desk.

I handed her my business card. “Thank you so much for your help today. You suggested so many wonderful restaurants on our walk that I might get them all confused later. May I have your number, in case I have any other important neighborhood questions?”

She wrote tidily on the back of a business card and handed it to me. “Thank you for lunch,” she said sweetly. “I hope that you find the perfect new dining room table.”

I chuckled. “I’ll certainly need some advice on that as well. Thank you for a lovely day, Heather.”

Quickly glancing to make sure Joel couldn’t see, I reached out for a split second to trail my fingertips along the side of her sweet little face. Her smile filled me with contentment I couldn’t even understand.

“I hope to speak with you soon,” I said quietly, leaving the office before I touched her again.

CHAPTER NINE

* Heather *

Hearing Joel clearly on the phone in his office, I was able to call up my list of what I had been looking for in a man. Or at least, the qualities that I would require when I allowed myself to begin looking for a boyfriend.