“I don’t think so. I think my mother sent me that in one of her many boring care packages. What should we do today? Want to go out? Any ideas?”

She shook her head.

“Let’s stay in,” he said. “Let’s make some game food. I have stuff in the freezer. I have tri-tip and buns for tri-tip sliders. Or we can go with wings or pizza. I have beer but no wine.”

“I have wine in the flower cooler,” she said. “I just feel like such a slouch, eating so much trash and bar food.”

“I’ll slice some onion and pickles for your sliders. I have some deli potato salad but I don’t know...”

“Dangerous?” she asked.

“By this date, very likely. I don’t expect you to be that much of a good sport.”

“Oh, so that’s your game? You want a good sport?”

He gave her a quick kiss. “I want to enjoy myself with someone who’s enjoying herself. I have a feeling, a dark feeling, you don’t need my help with that.”

“Okay. I’ll do one more day of carbs and fats. But the next time we eat together there will be green things.”

“I love green things,” he lied.

He told her to take the Jeep to her place to retrieve her wine and she brought back a Scrabble game. She also threw in a DVD of one of her favorite non-chick flicks, Red. He looked at it and said, “I love Red!”

“Just in case your brain goes numb from football,” she said. “But I can do football as long as you can.”

They had a rousing game of Scrabble, which Troy won by a stretch. They curled up on the couch together to watch Red. Every once in a while Troy invaded her space for a make-out session. In midafternoon they worked together in the kitchen to build some sliders, which they ate on big plates in front of the TV. Troy quizzed her about football teams and stats. “You’re a big football fan,” he said.

“I’m a small football fan,” she corrected. “Or maybe medium. I enjoy the game but I don’t live for it like some people do. And I have a good memory for football facts.”

“And your favorite sport?” he asked.

“That’s a tough question. I think I like watching everything competitive.”

“I think I’ll invite you to my Super Bowl party,” he said while they rinsed the dishes.

“You’re having a Super Bowl party?”

“Uh-huh,” he said, directing her back to the couch, pulling her down and getting her back in his arms. He loved that there was no hesitation from her. His arms went around her waist, hers went around his neck, lips on lips and bodies pressed together. It being the height of winter, the sun was lowering and the only light was that from the kitchen and the TV.

“Who’s coming to your party?” she asked, lips pressed against his neck.

“I’m thinking of a very small party. It could be a private party.” He caressed her back, her sides, ran a hand over her butt and down her thigh. “Maybe just us.”

“I’m not sleeping with you,” she said.

He backed off a little. “Ever?”

“I’m not ready,” she told him. “I want to know you better.”

“That’s very reasonable,” he said, kissing her again. “But really, Gracie, you taste so good...”

“That’s sweet. I’m still not ready.”

“Are you going to be unready for a real long time? Because, honey, you are a turn-on. And I risked my life for you on the cliffs of Coos Bay today. Just to make you happy.”

She chuckled against his lips. “You are such a giving man. I’ll be sure to let you know when I’m ready.”

“Just out of curiosity, Grace, are you waiting for a sign?”

She nodded. “I am. Plus, I’d like to be sure you’re all done pining over Iris. That just feels weird.”

Troy immediately put a little space between them. He grew serious. “Iris is married, Grace.”

“I know this. I was there.”

“Listen, here’s how it is. I’m crazy about Iris. She’s an awesome person and great counselor for the kids. I consider her a good friend. It’s true, for a long time I thought if she gave it a chance we might be more than friends, but we weren’t on the same page. All right? We were never on the same page and even though she told me over and over, I thought she might reconsider. She didn’t.”

“I know all that, but you have to remember—Iris is my good friend, too. I don’t want the situation to be awkward.”

“I hope we’re all good friends for a long, long time,” he said. “When I kiss you, I’m not thinking about Iris. I’m not thinking about anyone but you.”

She frowned slightly. “I’m pretty sure you didn’t answer the question,” she said.

“Iris married the love of her life, her one true and forever love. Even if I did still carry a torch for her, I’d never admit it. Especially to you. But I don’t. She’s moved on and so have I. Do you believe me?”

She smiled a little bit. Her expression said she didn’t believe him at all, but how could she argue without calling him a liar. “Okay, I believe you,” she said. “But there are also things about me... I want you to get to know me a little better.”

“I’m ready whenever you are. But so far, you’re the mystery. You have some pretty vague answers to questions about your life, your family, your friends...”

“I know, Troy. Since I was raised an only child, isolated in some ways, I tend to be on the private side. If you’re just patient...”

He leaned toward her. He kissed her again and she melted into him.

“How do you like me so far?” he asked against her lips.

She smiled without breaking her hold on him. “You’re growing on me.”

“You can trust me. When you’re ready to tell me more, you can trust me. And you can ask me anything.”

“Okay. One important question before we go any further. Are you sure I’m not just a booty call?”

Four

On January second, Grace did an inventory of her stock, updated her calendar, cleaned out the flower bin and made herself a to-do list. She had two couples coming in at the end of the month to get estimates for spring weddings. Valentine’s Day would be her next major event and she wanted to begin decorating the shop right away. Soon it would be spring, when her stock would be more beautiful and plentiful than ever. The most important thing on her list was to find help for the shop! She really wanted to spend more time with the fun coach.