Eight Dates and Nights by Betsy Aldredge

Author:Betsy Aldredge [Aldredge, Betsy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2023-10-03T00:00:00+00:00

10

Night Four of Hanukkah

Noah picks me up for work this morning, eliciting a raised eyebrow from my grandmother, and a quick smile from me, which makes his even wider. As soon as Nana is out of earshot, he leans over and says softly, “You know you’re beautiful when you smile. You should do it more often.”

I narrow my eyes and flatten my lips, the exact opposite of smiling, but he raises his hands to apologize. “Not trying to be one of those jerks who tells women to smile. I just wanted to tell you that happy looks good on you.”

My face relaxes. “Okay, well, thank you. I guess I’ll take that in the spirit it’s meant.”

He even has a jar of pickles wrapped up in a bow for me. “The flower shop is closed this early.”

“Oh, please, I’d much rather have pickles. Flowers die. Why would you give someone something that’s already been torn from its life force, like flowers?”

“Morose, isn’t it? Like love dies, too? But I thought you liked morose.” He laughs. “I, on the other hand, like flowers. They’re a reminder that we have to enjoy fleeting moments of beauty.”

I shrug. “I like pickles. Pickles are forever.”

He grins. “See, pickles times happiness equals smiles squared.”

I roll my eyes and go to put them on the counter.

“What? Einstein was Jewish. I’m sure he liked a good pickle, too,” Noah says.

My grandmother laughs at the gift but pushes us out the door with a promise to stop by around lunch if we have any food left.

Sure enough, she stops by the deli at one o’clock, and Noah dashes out from behind the counter to give her the VIP treatment at a booth while she looks equal parts amused and impressed, winking at me when he turns his back.

“Mrs. Levin, please, I insist that lunch is on us. You’ve been so nice to my grandfather by letting us monopolize Hannah that it’s the least we can do.” Noah brushes away her attempt to pay.

She shakes her head and throws some money in a tip jar when he isn’t looking, then gives me a quick hug before shooting me a knowing glance and exiting the deli. She doesn’t have to say anything more to show that she approves of me spending time with Noah. He has that effect on everyone, especially me.

It’s a wonder we manage to sell anything, considering how flustered I am all day and how distracted Noah is. I can’t stop staring at his forearms, strong from work, and yes, his mouth, which kissed me last night, or let me kiss him, depending on how you look at it. Considering this morning, I think he liked it as much as I did, but there’s only one way to be sure, which is to do it again as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, we have several hours of work in the way before we’re alone.

When the line of customers goes down, I run to the bathroom and splash some cold water on my face.

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