Page 60 of The Friendship Pact

“Text him and set up dinner,” Jill urged.

“I don’t like to disturb him at work.”

“One text won’t hurt.”

Just as she was about to protest further, Nick strolled out of Rosie’s Diner.

“Good morning, ladies.”

Like most women, Kate loved a man in uniform. She involuntarily swallowed and roamed his body with her eyes, finally landing on his smile. His sexy smirk told her he’d caught her ogling.

He kissed her on the cheek. She accepted the quick peck with a smile. He stepped back and greeted her mom. “Ma’am. Are you enjoying your time in our town?”

“I am. Thank you. And please, call me Jill. Or Mom is fine too.” She grinned.

“Jill. Kate. I hope to see you later.”

Jill smacked Kate on the arm.

“Nick, would you like to join us for dinner tonight at the Eagle’s Nest?” Kate asked.

“I’d like that. Text me a time and I’ll be there.”

Jill practically bounced up and down, more from the excitement than the cold, Kate guessed.

One corner of Nick’s mouth lifted in a small smile. “See you tonight.”

This sexy man knew how to play with Kate’s emotions. He played the part of a doting boyfriend well. Something she’d forced him to do. But she didn’t think he was pretending, and that scared her.

Fanning herself, Jill practically purred. “He’s so dreamy. He puts the sexy hero in my books to shame.”

“This isn’t one of your books.”

“Oh, but it could be.”

Kate couldn’t resist an eye roll. Her mom drove her crazy with romance-book talk. “You read fiction. Life isn’t all romance and happily ever after.”

“It will be with Nick. I have a sense about these things. You’re on your way to experiencing just that. Come on. I can’t wait to visit Turner Books. It was so nice to meet Paige at the wedding.”

“You mean the wedding you crashed?”

Pulling Kate along the sidewalk, Jill said, “I don’t think she minded. She’s such a sweet person.”

“Yes. She loved you. An adoring fan.”

* * *

“Hi Lily,” Kate greeted. Lily worked for both Paige and Rosie. Today she was behind the counter at Turner Books, no doubt because Paige and Ethan were off enjoying a few days of alone time before Christmas and before they left on their honeymoon.

Last-minute shoppers filled the store, perusing the bookshelves and gift items. Most of the customers spoke in hushed tones, like you’d expect in a library. Kate found this funny.

Lily came around the cash desk after handing a canvas tote filled with books to a customer. “How are you, Mrs. Davis? Are you enjoying your time in our town?”

“I’m well, thank you, and I am.” Jill glanced around the store. “Could you point me to the romance section, Lily? I need to find a book for my daughter.”

Lily’s smile widened. “Second row.”

“Thank you. I’ll leave you two to catch up.”