The Magnolia Cafe(53)

She followed Hunt out to the patio, pausing briefly to say hi to one of their customers. She pushed through the French doors and stepped outside.

“So? Do you like it?” Hunt’s face had a boyish look of expectation.

She looked around, from table to table, with the quaint doors smooth from polyurethane for tabletops and an array of legs ranging from spindles to wrought iron, to pedestals. She ran her hand over the table nearest her. “Oh, it’s wonderful. I never imagined it would look this nice. Each one is so different, but somehow they all tie in together.”

“I think it looks great. Bella and Natalie had really creative ideas for out here. I still have a few more chairs to bring over, but you get the idea.”

“I will never doubt anything Bella or Natalie says about decorating. Ever.”

“I learned years ago to never doubt Natalie. On anything.” Hunt grinned at her.

She refused to acknowledge the rush of emotion that flooded through her when he flashed that grin her direction.

“I’m still hoping the ceiling paddle fans come in before the opening, I’m really sorry they aren’t here yet.” Hunt scowled a bit.

She looked up at the ceiling, focusing on it, instead of Hunt standing there with his impossibly sexy tool belt riding low on his hips. “It’s not really your fault they didn’t come in. It hasn’t been very warm yet. I think we’ll be fine.”

“Well, I promised to have it all finished by Summerfest.”

“It’s close enough, Hunt. You’ve done such a good job.” She turned to look at him then. “So, I guess you’re headed out after Summerfest?”

~ * ~

Hunt wanted to just stare at her and soak in the look of approval she’d given to everything about the patio. Instead, she’d brought up the elephant in the room. Summerfest. That had been his guideline for the last few months. He’d stay until Summerfest was over. But then what?

“I’m not quite sure what my plans are yet.”

“Still waiting to see what assignment to take?” Keely tucked a wisp of hair behind her ear.

“Yes. I mean, no.” Hunt stood there, helplessly. “I mean I don’t have firm plans yet.”

And by firm plans, he meant no plans at all.

He was so uncertain what to do next. Natalie was as independent as they came, and would never ask him to stay and help, but it was obvious she liked having him around. Even Jackson was starting to accept him instead of rolling his eyes at everything he did. He’d learned to make mac and cheese just like Jamie liked it. Jesse had taken an interest in photography, and Hunt had gotten him an inexpensive camera and they went on photo expeditions to the park and the beach.

To be honest, having those boys depend on him scared him more than a dangerous photo assignment in some god-forsaken land. What if he failed them? He should leave before they got really used to having him around.

Then there was Keely.

Or maybe there wasn’t.

He didn’t have any idea what they were any more. When they’d been on their trip, he’d been so sure they were more than friends, but the last few weeks they’d been… well, even less than friends.

He took a step, closed the distance between them and took her hand, half surprised she didn’t snatch it away. “Keely, I don’t know how we got so off track. I miss talking to you.”

“There isn’t much point, is there? You’re leaving. I’m here trying to wrestle the cafe back from Mother before she ruins us, in order to secure a future for Kat and her. And me, I guess.”

She was probably right, there wasn’t much point. He wasn’t sure why right that very moment it seemed like such a good idea to kiss her.

So he did.

~ * ~

Keely clung to Hunt’s strong, solid arms as he kissed her, his lips firm yet gentle against hers. Her thoughts whirled. She’d promised herself she was going to stay away from him. It was silly to be standing here kissing a man who was leaving any day. But then, the kiss was just so delightful.

Hunt pulled away slowly. “I’ve been wanting to do that for days. Weeks.” His voice was low and growly.

“It was… nice.”

“Nice? You thought that was nice? I thought it was great. Better than great. I could spend half my day kissing you and it wouldn’t be enough.” He tightened his arms around her.

She leaned against him, unable to resist. She rested her cheek against his worn work shirt, listening to his heart thumping in his chest.

Okay, he was right, that kiss was fireworks and lightning good.

“Here, let’s try it again.” Hunt leaned down and kissed her. Slowly and thoroughly. Gently but demandingly.