My mind flashed on all the sex I’d had last night and this morning. “What?”
He pointed to my cup. “Coffee.”
I reached for the lifeline and clung. “Oh, sorry. Yeah. Too much, obviously! I’m a little wired right now.” I picked up my cup and ducked in the side door. “Be right back.”
I returned a few minutes later with coffee and a muffin for Connor. “In case you’re hungry.”
He picked up the muffin, seemingly surprised. “You make muffins, too?”
I shrugged. “I like to bake. They’re blueberry.”
He broke open the muffin and took a bite. “Mmm, delicious.” He nodded, looking out over Gran’s garden. “Did Aiden take care of you last night?”
I squeaked, “Uh...”
He focused on me again. “Aiden. Did he drive you home last night?”
I willed my pulse to slow. “Oh, right. No.” His brow furrowed, so I quickly continued. “I switched to water and we stayed longer. I chatted with people and danced. Jane made me sing. It was a full night.”
He grinned at the mention of singing. “Now I wish I’d stayed later. I’m sorry to have missed it.” He winked. “Feel like taking a drive to a restaurant supply store? I found one an hour or so northwest of here. How about we spend the day in Bangor?”
I sat up straighter. “I’d love to! Let me just go get changed into real people clothes.” I was wearing yoga pants and a sweatshirt.
“Go ahead. I’ll just finish my muffin.” He shooed me away.
I returned ten minutes later with my curling hair piled in a loose bun, wearing jeans and a turtleneck with my new black coat. Chaucer stood and wagged his tail, expecting to be invited. I leaned over and gave him a hug and tummy scratch. “Sorry, little man. I can’t take you. You’d be sitting in a car for hours.” I walked him into the kitchen. “Come on. I’ll get you a treat.”
The drive from Bar Harbor to Bangor was lovely. The trees blazed with color and the Saturday-morning traffic was light. Connor directed us downtown to a large warehouse in an industrial area.
“We’re not buying anything,” I assured him. “We’re taking pictures, making notes, measuring. We’re on a fact-finding mission only. Okay?”
He just smiled and nodded absently.
The warehouse was filled to bursting with furniture sets and fixtures, place settings and utensils, appliances and decor. The picture in my head of the diner changed with each new arrangement I saw, but we hadn’t yet hit on the perfect one.
My phone buzzed. When I pulled it out of my pocket, I saw I had a text from Aiden. I glanced around to make sure Connor wasn’t paying attention. He was talking with a salesperson, so I pulled up the message.
Aiden: Do you want to meet me downtown for lunch?
Me: Can’t. On a date.
Aiden: ...
Me: So far, so good. He’s nice and handsome. Tall, broad shoulders, blue eyes. I can send you a pic.
Aiden: ...
I took a quick photo of Connor sitting in a booth, his hand brushing the fabric, and sent it to Aiden.
Me: He took me to this fabulous place in Bangor.
Aiden: So, you’re saying that damn old man stole my girl and you’ll be gone all day?
My heart fluttered. My girl. I tried to shake it off. It probably was just a phrase; didn’t mean more than that, but...
Me: Your girl? Says who?
Aiden: I believe I just did. Why is he petting a seat?
