Free Winter's Magic (Music City Hearts Series) by Cynthia Gail

way until I know how he feels.”
    “How he feels?” Jenny laughed so hard Beth could barely understand her words. “He sent you flowers on Saturday, took you on the perfect date on Sunday, sent you more flowers on Monday, and asked you out for Wednesday. I think it’s safe to say he likes you, Beth.”
    “Okay. So, he likes me. And I didn’t scare him off after one date. Still, don’t you think I need to keep a level head?”
    “I wouldn’t declare your undying love on Wednesday night, but if you hold back and completely hide your emotions, you’re going to send mixed signals. Or worse.”
    “I get your point.” Beth closed her eyes and massaged her temples. The weight of the day had turned into a needling headache right between her eyes.
    “Good. Now tell me.” Jenny’s voice had softened from her mother-hen vibrato back into her sisterly friend. “Have you filled up a piece of paper with his name yet?”
    Beth took the piece of paper she’d been doodling on all morning, wadded it up, and threw it into the trashcan. “I haven’t done that since high school,” she said. “Or college.”
    “I believe you. I really do.”
    “Enough about Nick. I need to get back to work. Are we still going to Margaret’s for dinner tonight?” Beth asked.
    “Call me when you leave the office and I’ll meet you there.”
    When Beth left work, it was late and bitter cold. She had tried to keep Nick out of her mind—wasted energy. Between Jenny’s phone call that had her second-guessing her morning resolutions, Gina’s all-knowing smirk that only grew wider after the florist made their visit, and the lilies sitting on the corner of her desk, everything she did made her think of him. Heck, she might as well have a coffee mug with his name on it.
    But, he hadn’t called. He’d said he would call about Wednesday night, which meant he would probably call on Wednesday when he knew about his return flight. Did that mean he wouldn’t call before then? Or that she shouldn’t call him? As she started the car and turned the heat on high, she shook her head. Only she could make something like this so complicated.
    Retrieving her phone, she hit the speed dial and pressed ‘speaker’ before giving herself a chance to re-think the situation six more times.
    “Hi. How are you?”
    Her breath slowed as she heard his voice and for a second she forgot the question.
    “I’m good. Made it through a Monday.” She paused, hearing a rustling in the background and wondered where he was. Suddenly, she didn’t know if calling had been the right decision. “I know you’re probably busy. I just wanted to thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful.”
    “I’m glad you like them. I was just getting ready to call you.”
    “You were?” Her heart fluttered. Whether he was telling the truth or just filling silent air, she warmed to the idea he’d been thinking about her.
    “We’ve been in meetings all afternoon. I just got to my room and have a few minutes before I meet Brandon for dinner.”
    “I’m on my way to dinner, too. Margaret’s Café. I didn’t have time to eat lunch and I’m starving.”
    “Ah, Margaret’s. That sounds good. Are you going by yourself?”
    Beth wondered what he would think if she said she was meeting someone, a male someone, even if just a friend. Would he be jealous? She would be if he were having dinner with a woman. Of course, he wasn’t insecure the way she was. He’d probably never come up short in a relationship or wondered where he belonged in the social food chain.
    “I’m meeting Jenny. We’ve got a lot of planning to do before Friday.”
    “Is there anything you still need for the party?”
    “I think all we have left to do is order the food. We’re doing something simple like finger sandwiches and chips. The kids are going to go straight for the candy and cookies anyway.”
    He laughed and her mind filled with the image of him sitting on the hotel room couch, leaning back