WHERE HIS EYES LINGERED

Chapter 4

that Grandma never stopped fussing over.

"Here?"

I nodded.

"Yeah... this is home."

He shifted the car into the park.

Rain continued to dance against the windshield.

I reached for the door handle before suddenly remembering...

His coat.

"Oh."

I looked down at it.

"I almost forgot."

Carefully, I slipped it off and folded it over my arms before turning toward him.

"Thank you... for bringing me home."

I held the coat out to him.

He looked at it for a second before his eyes returned to mine.

A gentle smile spread across his face.

"You can keep it."

I blinked.

"What?"

"The coat."

He nodded toward it.

"You can keep it."

For a second, I wasn't sure I'd heard him correctly.

"I couldn't."

"It's okay."

His smile remained the same.

"You'll return it another time."

I looked down at the coat in my hands before meeting his eyes again.

"...Are you sure?"

He nodded once.

"I'm sure."

A smile slowly spread across my face.

"Thank you."

This time...

I wasn't talking about the coat anymore.

I tightened my fingers around the coat before reaching for the door handle.

"Bye."

Just as my fingers brushed the handle, his voice stopped me.

"Elizabeth."

I turned back.

He was already looking at me.

For a brief moment, he didn't say anything.

His fingers tapped lightly against the steering wheel before coming to a stop.

He looked away for the shortest second, almost as though he was reconsidering whatever had been on his mind.

Then his eyes found mine again.

"I..."

He let out a quiet breath.

"I was wondering..."

Another brief pause.

"If you'd be okay with it..."

His jaw tightened ever so slightly, almost as if he couldn't believe he was actually saying it.

"I'd like to take you out sometime."

For a second, I just stared at him.

Did I hear that right?

"M-me?"

The word slipped out before I could stop it.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Yeah."

"I..."

I could barely get the words out.

"I'd... I'd like that."

Something softened in his expression.

"I'm glad."

I smiled so hard my cheeks hurt.

"Bye."

"Bye, Elizabeth."

Hearing my name roll so effortlessly off his tongue made my heart skip.

I stepped out of the car, the cool evening air brushing against my face.

Before closing the door, I looked back at him.

"Drive safely."

He gave me a small nod.

"I will."

I closed the door gently and took a few steps toward the house before glancing back.

The headlights were still on.

For a brief second, he remained where he was.

Then, once I reached the front porch, the SUV slowly pulled away.

I stood there for another moment, watching the taillights disappear at the end of the street.

A date.

Mike... had just asked me out.

My lips curled into the biggest smile I'd worn in years before I finally turned, unlocked the front door, and stepped inside.

I slipped off my shoes by the door and headed farther inside.

The familiar aroma of onions, garlic, and simmering stew instantly wrapped around me.

"Grandma?"

"I'm in the kitchen, sweetheart."

I followed her voice.

She was standing by the stove, stirring a pot with one hand while wiping the other on her apron.

The moment she saw me, she smiled.

"There you are."

"I know... I'm late."

She walked over, her eyes quickly scanning me from head to toe.

"Thank God you're home safely, dear."

Then her gaze settled on the coat folded over my arm.

"Whose coat is that?"

I glanced down at it, feeling my cheeks warm.

"It's..."

I hesitated.

"...a friend's."

She lifted a brow ever so slightly.

"A friend's?"

I nodded, unable to hide the small smile creeping onto my face.

"Mhm."

She didn't press any further.

Instead, she smiled to herself before gently patting my arm.

"Go to your room and get out of those wet clothes before you catch a cold."

"I will."

"Oh..."

I stopped halfway up the stairs and turned back.

"I got it."

She tilted her head slightly.

"Got what?"

"The job."

For a second, she simply stared at me.

Then her entire face lit up.

"You did?"

I nodded excitedly.

"I'll start tomorrow."

"Oh, Elizabeth!"

She hurried over and wrapped me in a hug.

"I knew they would hire you."

I laughed, hugging her back.

"I can't believe it either."

She held my face for a moment, pride shining in her eyes.

"I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks, Grandma."

"Now go shower."

She pointed toward my room with a smile.

"We'll celebrate over dinner."

I laughed.

"Yes, ma'am."

I hurried to my room, took one last look at the coat resting over my arm, and smiled to myself before disappearing into the bathroom.

The warm water washed away the rain, but somehow...

It couldn't wash away the smile that refused to leave my face.

The warmth had finally chased away the chill the rain had left behind, but it hadn't done a thing to settle my heart.

I headed back downstairs and joined Grandma for dinner.

We talked about the café, what time I needed to be there the next morning, and all the little things she insisted I should remember on my first day.

Before long, I was back in my room.

The house had gone quiet.

I walked over to the chair where I'd carefully draped the coat.

For a moment, I simply stood there looking at it.

A smile slowly spread across my face.

Mike Junior...

Actually asked me out.

Even now, saying it in my head felt unbelievable.

I picked up the coat and hugged it gently against my chest.

The faint scent of his cologne still lingered on the fabric.

"I'm not dreaming..."

I whispered to myself.

I looked down at the coat, then laughed softly.

"No..."

My smile only grew wider.

"This actually happened."

I flopped backward onto my bed, the mattress bouncing beneath me as I hugged the coat even tighter.

"Oh my gosh..."

I buried my face in it for a second before letting out the happiest little squeal.

"If somebody told me this was going to happen a week ago, I would've laughed in their face."

I stared at the ceiling, unable to stop smiling.

"Is my life seriously about to turn into one of those romance movies?"

A laugh escaped me.

"You know..."

I pointed a finger toward the ceiling as though someone was actually listening.

"The ordinary girl who somehow catches the attention of the rich, ridiculously handsome guy..."

I smiled to myself.

"And somehow..."

"They end up living happily ever after."

I covered my face with both hands and laughed again.

"Elizabeth..."

I shook my head.

"Get a grip."

But deep down...

I couldn't help smiling.

Maybe I was getting ahead of myself.

But for tonight, I didn't care.

I was happy.

And that was enough.