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Her lip juts out in a little frown. “It’s going that well over there?”
I dip my head closer to hers. “The result of good matchmaking.”
She crosses her arms and rolls her eyes, but she’s fighting a smile, too. “It’s like you don’t even want these dates to work out.”
“I plead guilty, Your Honor.”
“But you said you wanted to date.”
Seeing Owen blush and trip over himself butfinallyhave a conversation with the woman he’s crushing on made up my mind. It’s time to take action with Georgia. No more pretending to be okay with her set ups.
I can be my own wingman.
I never take my eyes off her and speak with intention. “I do want to date.”
Her breathing stutters the way it did in my apartment when she was admiring my sweater. Her newfound awkwardness gives me hope she’s not completely unaffected byme. I won’t push her past where she’s comfortable, but I can encourage her. Just a little.
I extend one finger to loop beneath her pinky, where it rests on her leg. She sucks in a breath.
Maybe innocent hand touches that feel anything but innocent should go on my list of things I’ve learned from romance novels.
“What do we do now?” I ask low.
Her gaze drops to my mouth, making my stomach dip. My afternoon at the Harvest Festival was all about kismet, but it’s hard to believe my winning streak would continue like this.
“We should probably have a practice date,” she says to my lips. “So I can figure out where you’re going wrong.”
“It’s that bad, is it?”
Her gaze darts back up to mine. “Your date is probably giving her number to another guy as we speak.”
“I’m okay with that.”
“Well, you definitely need some pointers. Think of it as remedial dating.”
I can’t help my grin. “Sign me up.”
I’m ready learn whatever she wants to teach me.
Chapter 18
Georgia
I need some clarity. I need to get my head on straight. I need a little self-care.
I need some girls’ time.
When Harper texted with an invite to Slice of Delight with her sister, I said please and thank you and counted down the hours. Five minutes ago, I closed up Dogeared for the night and headed out into the crisp fall evening.
I lie. It’s still plenty warm here. September and October usually bring a couple offake fallsto trick us with chilly temperatures, swiftly followed by oppressive warmth. Actual cool weather will hit sometime around November.
Most of the shops on Center Street are decked out for autumn despite the balmy weather. A couple of them are getting ready to switch over to Halloween, and one very impatient thrift store already has a Christmas window up. Thanksgiving, of course, is completely forgotten.
Eliza flags me down as I dash across Center Street. “Jaywalking is a crime, you know.”
I laugh at her cheeky greeting. “Then everyone in Magnolia Ridge should be behind bars.”
“That’s our town slogan.” She wraps an arm around me in a quick hug.
