“Thank you, that’s so sweet of you, but would you mind terribly if we just ate here tonight?”
“I could bring take-out, then you wouldn’t have to go to any trouble.”
“You’re no trouble, Jeremy, and I’d really like to cook for you. Not that it isn’t fun to cook with Twink, but it’s been ages since I fixed dinner for a man. I’m sorry, does that sound pathetic?”
“Not at all, although when you consider how long it’s been since a woman invited me to dinner, I’d say we’re even in the pathetic department.”
Christy Joy laughed with him, then looked up at the clock. “How does seven sound to you? If it’s too early or too late—”
“Seven is fine. Isn’t there something I can bring?”
She thought for a minute then shook her head. “No, I have everything I need. Now I have to get back to work.”
“Yeah, me too, I’m marking down plants for the sale Darcy’s planning.” He walked her down the stairs and with each step regretted missing a chance to kiss her.
Mary Beth watched Jeremy’s cool salute as he cut through the shop for the nursery and was too intrigued to keep still. “Looks like I missed more than a leaky roof here on Wednesday. What’s up with you and Jeremy?”
Certain there had to be a few things to mark down, Christy Joy scanned the shop. “Don’t rush me, I’ll let you know when I figure it out.”
“What’s to figure? He’s a hunk and owns his own boat. That makes him quite a catch in Monarch Bay and, from what I’ve seen, he’s already caught.”
Rocked by that possibility, Christy Joy had to swallow hard. “Right now, I’m too worried about getting Twink back home to obsess over a man.”
“Well, you needn’t obsess over him,” Mary Beth scolded. “Just enjoy him because it’s plain he’s set his sights on enjoying you.”
Christy Joy just shook her head and got busy looking for items to put on sale. But when she opened the door that night and found Jeremy standing there in his white uniform holding a big bouquet of pink roses, he looked so good it was all she could do not to burst into tears.
“My God,” she sighed. “I can’t help but pity those poor tourists you wouldn’t…well…entertain?”
Jeremy was amused by how quickly she’d censored what had obviously been her first thought. He handed her the roses. “They got over it, but there is something about a man in a uniform, isn’t there?”
“Well, you look awfully good in yours.” Christy Joy had always thought him nice looking, but the dazzling white uniform accented his deep tan and sun-streaked hair, while it also brought out the vivid green of his eyes. Desperate for a distraction, she showed him where to set his hat, quickly found a crystal vase and carried the roses into the kitchen.
“But the real question is, are you comfortable?”
Jeremy tried not to laugh. “Isn’t it the woman who’s supposed to excuse herself to slip into something more comfortable?”
Christy Joy was wearing one of her favorites, a pink gauze dress in a tiny floral print liberally trimmed with lace. “I’m as comfortable as I’m likely to get, thank you, but if you want to remove your jacket, go right ahead.”
Jeremy had debated long and hard before donning his uniform, but seeing as how it had obviously had the desired effect, he planned to stay in it. “No, thanks, I’m fine. Need me to toss the salad or something?”
“I swear you’re the most helpful man I’ve ever met.” Christy Joy carried the roses into the living room and set them on the coffee table. “Thank you so much for these. They’re just spectacular. Darcy is landscaping a yard up on Ridgecrest with plenty of roses for a June wedding. Somehow I let her talk me into doing the flowers for the ceremony, but roses are so pretty by themselves, that I may just tie ribbons on a dozen for the bridesmaids and use them in crystal vases for the reception.”
“What about the bride’s bouquet?”
“That’s going to be another challenge entirely, but Darcy knows how to wire flowers, and she’ll help me.”
“You two are a good team.”
“Yes, we are, aren’t we?” Christy Joy risked glancing toward him again, but as the resulting heat flooded her veins, she wished she were holding a lace fan. “Is it too hot in here for you?” she asked.
“Not at all, but I’ll open the window if you like.”
“Yes, thank you.” Christy Joy wiped her palms on her skirt and wondered how she was going to survive the evening when he looked good enough to eat, and she knew precisely where to begin nibbling. Amazed by how tempting that thought truly was, she hurried back to the kitchen.
“Would you like some wine?” she called.
“If you’re having some,” he replied.