Livy finally glanced at her watch.“I guess I should call it an evening. I have to be at the cafe early tomorrow.”She rose.
He got up and stood beside her, sorry to see the evening come to a close.“Didn’t mean to keep you up so late.”
She laughed her charming laugh.“It’s not late. I just go to bed early since I have to be up so early.”
He followed her inside, dropped his bottle into the bin she said was recycling, and followed her to the front door. She stepped outside on the front step with him, standing ever so close. The faint scent of lavender enticed him, teased him. He swallowed. Hard.
“I—”he cleared his throat.“I had a nice time. And it was a wonderful meal. Thank you.”
“I—we—enjoyed having you.”
He stared at her eyes, mesmerized by them as she tilted her face up to him. He knew it was foolish, but he was going to kiss her. Wanted to kiss her. Needed to kiss her. He leaned forward just slightly.
“Hey, Mom. Austin.”Emily came hurrying up the walk.
Where had she come from?
“Uh, hi, Emily.”He recovered from staring at Livy. Kind of. Disappointment swelled through him, but he knew it was best to leave. At least Emily hadn’t caught him kissing her mother.“Well, it’s late. I should go.”
“Night, Austin.”Emily stood beside Livy now, and Livy threaded her arm around her daughter.
“Bye. And thanks. Had a great time.”He turned and walked down the stairs. Sorry for the missed opportunity. And sad that he hadn’t actually kissed her.
Now he would wonder all night long what it would have been like.
“He was going to kiss you.”Emily leaned against her as Austin walked away down the street.
“What? You’re crazy.”Her voice was firm. She sounded confident. ButwasEm crazy? For a brief moment, shehadthought he was going to kiss her. And she’d wanted him to.
“Nope, I’m not crazy. He likes you. I can tell.”Emily grinned and turned to slip inside.
Livy sank down on the worn top step of the porch, staring into the distance where Austin had disappeared. She was pretty sure Emily was right. There had been an electrical connection with Austin as they stood there on the porch. He had to have been feeling the same thing, right?
But what were they doing?
And she had Emily to consider. They didn’t need to get close to Austin…or even overly friendly…just for him to leave. Too many people had left them. Her own father had left. Then Brett had left and rarely visited Emily. She wasn’t going to add another person to the list.
She stared out into the darkness, broken only by the scattered streetlights. It would be best if she just didn’t see Austin again. There, a decision was made. She felt better.
Sort of.
She sighed.
No, she felt worse.
But of course, she’d see him some. He’d be around town. He was working with Emily. She owed him free ice cream…
Emily poked her head out the door.“Mom, you’re overthinking things again. Wouldn’t hurt you to date him while he’s in town.”The door closed again with a thud.
A small smile crossed her face as she rose from the steps. Maybe her daughter was right. She was just overthinking this whole thing. It was okay to just have a good time with someone, wasn’t it?
Chapter 16
Olivia couldn’t believe Heather had talked her into meeting her at Brewster’s the day before the grand opening of the cafe. But Heather had said she was sure it would be ages until she’d talk her into it again since Olivia would be so busy. And Heather was right, it probably would be ages, so she’d obliged her cousin a quick coffee this morning.
She spotted Heather sitting at a table by the edge of the water with two coffees in front of her. Perfect. She’d just drink hers and hurry to the cafe.
“Morning.”Heather slid one of the mugs across the table.
