Page 6 of To Fall or Not to Fall

“Ava, what a great idea. I definitely want to sign up.”

“Me, too,” says a woman I recognize as April, who works at one of the local restaurants. “My dad really wants another man at the house this Thanksgiving, so I would love to meet someone by then.”

“Well, hopefully, we’ll find someone to match you with,” I say. “Come and fill out a form.”

We head toward the table, and I’m pleased to see that there are already several men and women standing there.

“This was a really good idea,” Aria says, grinning at me as she hands out forms. “Loads of people are interested.”

“I just hope they’re interested in buying books and coffee, as well,” I say quietly, as that is the main reason we’re doing this.

“They will be,” she whispers back, but I can see the worry in her eyes, as well. “Ooh.” Her eyes widen, and she beams at me.

“Ooh, what?” I ask her in confusion. It’s then that I feel a pair of eyes gazing at me intently.

I look to the left and see a slightly older man, in his forties, staring at me.

He has bright green eyes and light blond hair.

He smiles, and I nod back. When he walks over to me, I can see that he’s harder in the face than he first appeared.

He’s handsome, but I can tell he has a history that would likely shock me.

“Hi, Ava. I just wanted to say that I think it’s really interesting that you’re going to start a matchmaking service.”

“Oh, thank you,” I say, not really knowing what to say. It’s weird that he’s talking to me like we’re friends, but maybe he’s just an outgoing person.

“You seem like a really genuine person.” He studies my face intently. I swallow hard, hoping he’s not hitting on me. He’s not really my type, but I don’t want to be rude.

“I hope I am,” I say, wondering if he’s flirting with me but not really knowing.

“I’m Rupert,” he says, handing me a business card. I look down at it, but all it has is his name and phone number. “I’d love to hear more about the town and your bookstore. Been thinking about starting my own business,” he says.

“Oh? What sort of business?”

“Candy,” he says, his eyes twinkling. “Because who doesn’t love candy?”

“That’s true. I love me some candy.” I stare at him. He looks nice, but he’s so mysterious. “Do you want to fill out a form for matchmaking?”

“Yes, I guess I could. Though I may actually be filling out a letter for the secret crush mailbox.” He offers me another grin as he takes a step forward. Oh, Lord, no.

“Oh?” I say, feeling slightly awkward because he’s just standing there staring at me and not saying anything else. I feel cold, and then I feel the hairs on the back of my neck rising.

It’s at that moment that my heart flips, and I’m not really sure why.

I look around, and that’s when I see him.

Theo. The handsome man from the bookstore.

He’s standing toward the back of the bar, drinking a beer.

He offers me a small smile and nods, and I nod back.

He’s absolutely gorgeous, with his dark hair and sparkling blue eyes.

He’s the most handsome man I’ve ever seen in my life.

He makes my head fuzzy. I want to rush back and talk to him, but I don’t want to be rude to Rupert.

“So, do you think that you’ll be—” Rupert asks, and I look back at him and blush. Did he see me staring at Theo?

“Sorry, what?”

“I was thinking that we should get to know one another.” Rupert touches my shoulder, and I almost jump.

“Ava, so good to see you,” comes from the voice next to me, deep, smooth as whiskey, throaty, and sexy, and I warm as I turn to see Theo.

“Hi,” I say, swallowing. “Nice to see you, as well, Theo.” I want to ask him why he’s in Coconut Beach and what made him choose our town.

I want to ask if he’s enjoying reading The Picture of Dorian Gray , what other books he likes to read, and if he’s single—if he has a girlfriend or wife, or if he has kids.

I want to ask him everything.

But I don’t even know him, so it would be absolutely inappropriate.

I look away and stare at Aria, realizing she’s noticed that Mr. Armani Suit is now here with me. She winks, and I turn away. Rupert is standing there, looking gruff.

“Theo, this is Rupert. He’s visiting Coconut Beach. Rupert, meet Theo.”

“Yeah, we—” Rupert starts, but Theo interrupts him as he holds out his hand.

“Very nice to meet you Rupert,” Theo says and then turns to me. “So, a dating service, huh?”

“I thought it would be a good idea for many reasons,” I say, wanting to flirt a little bit but finding it awkward with Rupert standing there, looking off-kilter.

“I’m actually going to go and get a drink,” I say quickly, because I’m feeling so off-balance. Aria and Arabella are staring at me with huge grins, Rupert looks pissed, and Theo, well, I don’t know what he’s thinking or feeling.

I head back toward the bar to get another drink, and as I stand there, I reapply my lipstick and brush down my curly hair. I wish I had straightened it for the evening. I don’t normally straighten it, but I feel like it makes me look less chaotic.

“Hey, Larry, can I get another vodka cranberry, please?”

“Coming right up. Do you want anything to eat?”

“Yeah. Do you have any of the shepherd’s pies left?”

“I think we may have a couple.” He grins. “So, can an old man like me sign up to be matchmade?”

“Of course. There’s no age limit,” I say, grinning. “Why? You’re looking for someone?”

“Aren’t we all looking for someone?” He looks over towards Aria and Arabella.

“I guess so.” I giggle and watch as he grabs a glass.

“You ran off quickly,” a deep, smooth voice says from next to me, and I know who it is immediately. I would know his voice in my dreams. Which is weird because I barely know this man.

I look up into the twinkling blue eyes of Theo. He’s wearing a gray wool sweater and a pair of dark jeans, and he looks like a million bucks.

“Sorry, I was thirsty, and well, you know. How are you?”

“Great,” he says. “I’m enjoying my vacation. This is a cool little bar.”

“It is. I’m surprised you found it. Tourists don’t normally come here.”

“I like to go to the places that the locals frequent. It feels more real,” he says, taking a sip of his beer. His lips twist up into another small smile, and he leans forward.

For a moment, I think he’s about to kiss my cheek, and my heart stops.

“Sorry, I was just trying to look at the sign,” he says, nodding toward the menu. “I’m feeling a little peckish.”

“Oh,” I say, laughing loudly and nervously, because I feel like an utter fool. If he knew what was going through my brain right now, he would think I was an absolute cuckoo-head.

“So, have you lived here a long time?” he asks as if he cares.

“Yeah, I’ve lived my entire life in Coconut Beach,” I say. “Sometimes I feel like I’m going to go stir-crazy, but I love it so much. It’s a really fun, picturesque town.”

“Yeah, I’ve gathered that,” he says, nodding slowly. “It reminds me of?—”

“ Gilmore Girls ,” I say, laughing. “A lot of people think that it’s just like Stars Hollow, but we’re just by the beach.”

“No, I’ve never seen Gilmore Girls . I was going to say?—”

“Ooh, where?”

“ Hart of Dixie .”

“Sorry, who?”

“ Hart of Dixie . You’ve never seen the show?”

“I’ve never even heard of it.” I throw my head back and laugh. “Joke, I love that show.”

He shakes his head and smiles. “I was also going to say it reminds me of every small-town USA TV show that I watched as a kid—like Happy Days .”

“Oh, yeah, with Richie Cunningham and Fonzie,” I say, staring at him, happy memories filling my head as I thought about the old show. “Yeah, I watched that a little when I was younger. My grandma loved it.”

“Yeah, I’m sure she did,” he says and runs his fingers through his hair.“I bet she was in love with The Fonz. Everyone was back in those days.”

“So, where are you from?” I ask him, hoping he doesn’t think I’m being too nosy.

“New York. To be specific, Manhattan. And to be even more specific, the Upper West Side.” He grins. “Not that you were asking me to be that specific.”

“It’s fine,” I say. “I like specificity. I’ve never been to New York, though.”

“You haven’t?” He looks shocked.

“Why do you look so surprised?”

“I feel like it’s every woman in a small town’s dream to go to the big city.”

“I guess,” I say, shrugging. “It’s not my dream, though. I mean, yeah, Coconut Beach can be small and insular, but it’s lovely, and I don’t know how I would fare in a big city.”

He shakes his head. “You’d fare like you would anywhere else.”

“I guess,” I say. “Maybe I’ll go one day. Maybe I’ll visit you.” My hand immediately moves to my mouth as I blush furiously. “Sorry. I did not mean to say that. I was not inviting myself to visit you in The Big Apple.”

“No, it’s okay.” He chuckles and swallows some more of his beer, his blue eyes looking at me intently. “You’ve got a very beautiful smile,” he says.

“Thank you… I think.”

“Why would you think?”

“I don’t know. Sorry. I kind of—I don’t know. I’m tongue-tied right now. I’m not used to compliments.”

“That surprises me.” He shakes his head. “A woman like you?”

“What do you mean, a woman like me?”

“One as beautiful as you.”

“Thank you.” I swallow hard. I don’t really know what to say. But is this man flirting with me?

“Don’t worry, Ava,” he says softly. “I know you’re a small-town girl, and I’m not trying to use my big-city ways to get you into my bed and seduce you.”

My jaw drops at his words, and he bursts out laughing.

“Sorry, I’m just teasing. I’m the big bad wolf from the city, and I couldn’t resist.”

“You’re the big bad wolf from the city, huh? So, what am I? The sweet, innocent little sheep?”

He pauses. “Actually, no, I wouldn’t say that. Maybe you are the timid little hare.”

“I’m not timid,” I say.

“True. You don’t seem like you’re timid. Maybe you’re the prickly hedgehog.”

“What? Do I seem prickly to you?”

“I don’t know,” he says, and leans forward, lightly touching my hand. I feel a slight shock of electricity. Our eyes lock for a couple of seconds, and all oxygen leaves my brain. I start to lean forward.

“You didn’t prick me, so I guess you’re not a hedgehog,” he says, and I stop quickly. I am actually losing it.

“I’m not a hedgehog.”

“Maybe you’re a fox,” he says. “You could be lying and cunning. You are certainly beautiful to look at.”

“I do quite like foxes,” I say.

“I knew you would.”

“How did you know that?”

“Because you love fall, and they’re the color and animal that best represent fall—at least, that’s what I think.” He grins. “You can tell me if you think I’m wrong.”

I pause as Larry heads back and hands me my drink. “Shepherd’s pie will be out in about ten minutes. I’m just heating it up for you, Ava. You can have a seat, and I’ll bring it over.”

“Thanks, Larry,” I say. I look back at Theo. “Well, I should join my friends. They’re signing people up for the matchmaking service, and I should be helping.”

He grins. “You should.”

“Yeah. Well, everyone could use some help dating, I suppose.”

“I’ve never really had that problem,” he says.

My eyes widen. “You have a girlfriend? Or a wife?”

“No, I’ve just never had a problem finding dates.” He grins. “I guess women kind of think I’m attractive, I guess.”

I try not to groan. He’s a bit full of himself.

I mean, he has reason to be full of himself—he’s absolutely gorgeous, has a good sense of humor, and he’s witty and charming.

But I don’t like men who know they’re all that, because it makes them cocky, and cocky men usually cheat.

Not that I know that he would be a cheater…

but I don’t know that he wouldn’t be, either.

“You seem like you’re thinking very hard about something,” he says.

“No, I was just—nothing,” I say, because I’m not going to tell him that I was thinking about the fact that he might be cocky and annoying and a cheater. That would lead him to think that I was certifiable. Because why would I care?

Just because we had a little banter didn’t mean he is going to be my next boyfriend.

“Well, you have a nice evening,” I say, smiling at him, my heart racing.

“You too, Ava,” he says. “Good luck with the trivia tonight.”

“You can join our team if you want. You seem like the sort of guy who might be good at sports, and we suck at sports.”

“I can’t, I’m afraid,” he says, finishing his beer and placing the glass down on the countertop. “I have some work I need to do this evening, but thank you.” He gives me a warm smile as disappointment courses through. “Maybe we shall meet again.”

“Yeah, maybe,” I say, not wanting to seem too eager.

“It’s a date, then.”

“Wait, what?”

“Our possible meeting.” His eyes twinkle, and I have the uncanny feeling that he knows exactly what he’s doing to me. “Have a good evening, Ava. Until we meet again.”