Déjà Date by Susan Hatler Page A

until you complete your list.”
    “No.” I took a long sip of wine, then shook my head adamantly. “I know he would hold off selling, but then he’d be doing what’s in my best interest and not his. He’s sick and needs to retire. I won’t cause him an ounce more stress when his health is in jeopardy. I’ll complete the list fast . . . somehow.”
    His eyes peered into mine, then the corner of his mouth curved upward. “I’m going to help you.”
    I laughed at his determined expression. “Really?”
    “Absolutely.” He dangled his wrists over the railing, still gripping my dad’s letter in his hand. “That’s what friends are for, right?”
    My heart warmed. “I’ve never had much luck with friends.”
    “Well, your luck’s changing, starting today.” From beneath my dad’s letter, he revealed a small square package wrapped in wax paper. “You know what else a friend does?” He unfolded the corners of the wax paper slowly. Next he peeled the paper back revealing a rectangular fudge bar that I recognized all too well. “After picking up your favorite dinner, a friend makes sure you have your favorite dessert.”
    I stared at the chocolate marshmallow fudge bar, inhaling the sweet scent. My mouth watered, but I shook my head. “I gave those up years ago.”
    He broke off a small piece and popped it into his mouth. Then he closed his eyes and made a humming sound. “Why would you ever do such a thing?”
    Squeezing my wine stem, I licked my bottom lip. “They weren’t good for me.”
    “Hmm.” His breath smelled like fudge, making it—and him —hard to resist. “What if they weren’t good for you before, but they are now?” he asked.
    “I’m doing fine without them in my life.” My thoughts swirled, wondering if we were talking about the fudge bars or Nate. Either way, I had to stay strong. “I need to focus on buying the bakery, and I’m under a deadline.”
    “Right. You need to complete the Carpe Diem list quickly.” He slowly put another bite of fudge between his enticingly full lips. I watched him chew leisurely as if he were deliberately savoring the taste to tease me. “Let’s talk about task number three,” he said.
    My gaze darted from his mouth to his eyes, trying to get my mind off the delicious flavor on his tongue right now. “Number three . . .” I squinted, thinking about the order of the list, then my eyes widened when I realized the third task. “Only date someone who leaves you breathless.”
    He nodded, his gaze pinning me in place. “Are you dating anyone right now?”
    “I just stopped seeing someone, actually.” Despite my resolve to keep a friendly distance from Nate, my heart had a mind of its own and its steady beat kicked up to a trot, pounding against my ribcage. We so needed to talk about a different task on the Carpe Diem list. Any other task would be good right about now. “It’s better to complete tasks in order. I sent a text to my roommate earlier asking if it’s okay to have a dog in the condo. She has two kittens so I’m hoping she won’t have a problem with a little canine hair mixed in.”
    Oh, man. I needed to stop rambling. Had I ever been so nervous in my life?
    Looking amazingly focused, he leaned closer to me, until his mouth was only inches away from mine. “Did you break up with that guy because he didn’t leave you breathless?” His voice was a low rumble and his fingers grazed along my jawline, leaving a trail of heat where his skin had touched. “Because I’m sure no man would have the strength to leave you on his own will,” he whispered.
    He fingered a strand of hair that had fallen against my face, causing all of the air to leave my chest. I gripped the railing for support and my gaze dropped to his mouth, which was right there just waiting for me to press my lips against his. A sense of déjà vu washed over me. Like we’d been here before, with his mouth just a breath away from mine. And we had. My first kiss,