“More like a ten, but, yes, these short legs need a petite size. I’m glad that you thought to carry petite. Selections at most stores are slim.” Maggie nibbled on the inside of her cheek. Would a dress be too much like a date? What would Richard be wearing? “I do love the soft color and it’s a flattering style. I’ll try it on.”
Addison smiled. “I’ll look around to see if I have anything else that might work. The dressing rooms are behind the velvet curtains at the back of the shop. Let me see you when you try it on.”
Maggie took the dress and nodded. “I will.” She admired the rest of the shop as she headed for the dressing rooms. There was elegance everywhere but with an underlying warmth that would put jittery brides-to-be at ease. After taking off her clothes, Maggie looked at her reflection in the mirror and frowned. While she ate healthy for the most part and had an active lifestyle that kept her relatively fit, at her age her body was far from perfect. Still, she’d always worked hard to feel comfortable in her own skin. She slipped the silky material over her head and let it slide over her skin.
“Oh . . . very pretty,” she said with a soft smile. Maggie was so used to suits during the day and sweatpants at night that she forgot how fun it was to wear something totally feminine. She pushed back the curtain and stepped out for Addison to see her. “What do you think?” She did a little spin.
“Oh, Maggie, you look so pretty. That peach color is perfect for you.”
“I like your suggestion about pairing this with a denim jacket.”
“Or a blazer if you want to wear this for work. A light sweater would work too. Maybe add a silk scarf.”
“I’ll take it! Wow, this was easy. I thought it would take me all afternoon!”
“Well, I talked it over with Mia and we decided that we would have a wide variety of dresses. I like when the bridesmaid dresses can be worn for other occasions too. I’ve even got some wedding gowns that turn into shorter dresses for the reception. How cool is that?”
“Oh, that sounds like something Savannah might like. I’m sure she and Tristan will come in for the open house. I’ll be popping in all of the shops. If you need for me to do anything, feel free to tell me.”
“Thanks, Maggie. Make sure you come over and tell me all about this dinner with your handsome client. Is he local?”
“Actually, Richard is renting Ty McKenna’s cabin by the river. He was only going to stay for a couple of weeks but he’s going to spend the rest of the summer here. I’m thinking he might have an interest in buying, and I know Ty wants to sell.”
Addison nodded. “Sounds like you’re a busy lady, Maggie.”
Maggie looked at her watch. “Yes, and speaking of, I’d better get going. Just let me change so you can ring this up for me.”
With her purchase swinging from her arm Maggie hummed as she walked back to her office. She tried to get some work done but all she could think about was dinner with Richard, and after a couple of hours she hurried upstairs to get ready. She had a frozen apple pie that she’d bake while Richard grilled the steaks. After taking extra care with her hair and makeup, she slipped on the dress and added a denim jacket that she loved but didn’t wear too often. She thought the look was flirty and fun and had to laugh at the sheer joy of having an evening out.
Feeling lighthearted and young Maggie played country music all the way to Richard’s cabin! But when she arrived, a sudden fit of nerves took flight in her stomach. She might have told Addison this was a business dinner but Maggie secretly hoped it would turn into more than that . . . at least a kiss? She put her fingers to her lips. When was the last time a man kissed her . . . held her in his arms?
Shaking her head, Maggie picked up the pie and the paperwork. She knew she should be reminding herself that Richard was a client and would be leaving Cricket Creek at the end of the summer. She’d never allowed herself to become more than friends with a client, especially when there was a potential sale in the future. She’d lived by that rule for a long time and now wasn’t the time to break it, she sternly told herself.
But when Richard answered the front door, looking incredibly handsome, all of her reasoning flew out the window. The light blue oxford shirt was tucked into jeans, giving him a sexy causal look that made Maggie swallow hard. The top two buttons were open, giving her a peek at the tanned skin. Her brain conjured up the previous image of him shirtless, with a sheen of sweat glistening over his chest, and she stood there even after he’d said something to her and stepped to the side. Maggie nodded even though she had no clue as to what he’d said, but she followed him into the gleaming, gorgeous kitchen that was a cook’s dream.
Finally finding her voice she said, “I brought pie. Apple.”
“Ah, one of my favorites and I don’t indulge often. A slice of apple pie will be a real treat. Thanks.”
“I would have baked it but I thought it would make the cabin smell wonderful.”
“I’ve got the oven heated up for baking potatoes. We can pop the pie in after the potatoes are done. I thought they would be easy, along with a tossed salad and rib-eye steaks.”
“Sounds delicious,” Maggie answered, and tried to shake the sudden shyness. She put the paperwork on the granite countertop and wished she remembered how to flirt.
“You look amazing, Maggie,” Rick said, even though he’d reminded himself over and over not to make advances. All he wanted was dinner and conversation. He was done with meaningless sex. He wanted something more substantial, beginning with friendship.
“Thank you.” Her smile was soft, hesitant, like she wanted to say more. “And . . . and so do you,” she finally said, but then averted her gaze.
Damned if he didn’t long to sweep her into his arms and kiss her. She just looked so sweet but sexy at the same time. “Would you like a glass of wine?”
“Oh yes, please.”
“Not knowing what you preferred, I bought a variety. I have Chardonnay or Riesling chilling, or a merlot or a medium-bodied pinot noir if you prefer.” He grinned. “And just about anything else in between.”
“Oh, you didn’t have go to all that trouble,” Maggie protested, “but it was certainly nice of you to be so thoughtful.”
“No problem at all.” Rick could tell by her bright smile that it made her happy that he’d wanted to please her. He thought about the demanding, selfish women he was used to dealing with and pulled out the corkscrew. “Preference?”
“How about the Chardonnay while we cook, and the merlot with the steaks?”
“I like the way you think.” Rick reached inside the Sub-Zero fridge and pulled out a bottle of chilled white.
“I just have to take it easy so I can drive home.”
After searching for the corkscrew Rick said, “How about this: You kick back and enjoy yourself. There are three guest rooms upstairs. If you have too much wine to drive you are welcome to stay. And I promise to be a gentleman. No worries, okay?”
“Thank you, Richard. I have to admit that being a single mom made me pretty much a worrywart.”
Rich handed her a glass of wine and then poured one for himself. “Here’s to no worries.” He raised his glass to hers.
“No worries,” Maggie said, and clinked her glass to his before taking a sip. “Oh, this is good. Nice toasty finish,” she said, and looked at the label. “Fat Bastard.”
“I beg your pardon,” Rick said, and then laughed with her. “I’ll put on some music. We can enjoy our wine on the front porch while the potatoes bake and the steaks come to room temperature.”