"Because you already think I'm stalking you."
"Yeah, but who says I'm complaining?"It was no joke.There was something about her, something so refreshing, I felt like a guy in the desert who hadn't realized he was thirsty.
But I was thirsty now.
Andshewas interested.
Yeah, she was trying to hide it, but her sparkling green eyes were an open book. And her mouth – well, that told me plenty, too.
And because I wasn'tcompletelyuncivilized, I figured it was time to introduce myself. "I'm Bryce, by the way." I smiled. "The last name's Beckett. So, are you gonna come skating or what?"
Her gaze shifted to the rink, and she studied it like a kid might study a cookie. But then, she returned her gaze to mine. "I can't. I mean, I don't have any skates, at least not with me."
"Me neither," I said. "But that's fixable." I glanced toward the nearby shopping district – a small downtown area with lots of small businesses and a few big ones, too.
The largest within sight was an old-fashioned hardware store that sold tools, household goods, and random sporting equipment – mostly of the hunting and fishing variety.
And yeah, they did sell skates. I'd seen some just last week while checking out the store.
When Harper's only response was a perplexed look, I told her, "I'll make you a deal."
"What kind of deal?"
"I'llget the skates, andyou'llcome skating."
"Wait, skates forbothof us?" She frowned. "You can't."
"Why not?" I asked. "I'm not gonna skate alone." I lowered my voice. "Youcanskate, can't you?"
"Well, sure," she stammered. "I mean, Ididgrow up in Michigan."
"But…?"
She glanced around. "But I might get a customer."
"MaybeI'myour customer."
"Oh, stop it," she said. "You are not."
"Says who? Maybe I need a dozen mochas."
"But youdon't," she protested. "At the very most, you'd need one."
"No, I'd needtwo."
"Sorry, what?"
"I’m not gonna drinkalone."
This made her pause. "But if you like coffee, why didn't you take your drink?"
"When?"
"Last Friday. You paid for it, but you never took it. And you neverdidtell me why."
"Maybe I wantedyouto have it."
"But why?" she persisted.
