Hooked on You by Kathleen Fuller (hot novels to read .txt) 📕

“Definitely not.”

“That’s a relief.” He handed her the sketchbook. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then.” He grinned at her, then turned and joggedback to the dugout to collect the softball equipment.

She clutched the sketchbook and walked to Mimi’s car, got inside, and drove home in a daze. As usual, Mimi was sitting inthe recliner watching TV and working on a crochet project when Riley walked inside. Riley paused, ready for Mimi to ask whattook her so long to get home.

“You’re blocking the TV.” Mimi raised her crochet hook and waved Riley away, then slipped a loop of yarn over the hook. “I’mjust about to find out who the killer is.”

“Sorry.” Riley nodded, relieved that her grandmother hadn’t asked any questions. She went upstairs and sat on the edge ofthe bed, finally allowing herself to think about what Hayden had said. That he had noticed her in high school blew her mind.That he thought she was special blew it even further. Remembering his words and the honesty in his eyes warmed her to hertoes. She grabbed a pillow and squealed into it, feeling like a teenager again. Except she had never felt like this in herteens—or ever.

Her clothes were still in her suitcase. She’d refused to unpack, not wanting anything about her time here to feel permanent.Did she have anything suitable to wear to a steakhouse? She would have to make do since there wasn’t any time to shop.

Riley ground her thoughts to a halt. This wasn’t a date, so it didn’t matter what she wore. And that’s how it should be. LikeHayden said, they were two friends discussing ideas. Nothing more.

But for the first time in her life, she wished she owned a skirt.

*  *  *

The next morning, Riley was working at Knots and Tangles, trying to focus on boxing up some old yarn Mimi had agreed to donateto an online knitting group. She was also trying to keep her thoughts off her upcoming supper with Hayden.

Her grandmother’s doctor had called earlier and canceled Mimi’s appointment but rescheduled it for tomorrow. Mimi wasn’t happywith that, of course, but after pouting for a little while, she called Bea and they made plans to spend the day together.

Riley glanced at the clock on the wall above the counter for the tenth time. Barely eleven thirty. She had been sure it waspast lunchtime. The day was crawling, and she could hardly keep the mix of nervousness and excitement at bay.

She heard the bell above the front door and turned around. Harper walked inside, dressed in a sharp royal-blue pencil skirtand white blouse, her thick blond hair tousled strategically over her shoulders.

“Hello!” she said, grinning brightly. “I brought some goodies for you.”

Riley froze in front of the box. “What?”

Harper set a large white shopping bag with two handles on the counter. “When you said you weren’t free for dinner tonightwhen I called you earlier, I put two and two together.” She placed her hands on her slender hips. “You and Hayden are goingout, aren’t you?”

“Uh . . .” Riley felt the sting of embarrassment fill her cheeks. “Not out exactly—”

“I knew it. When you two were hanging out after practice yesterday, I suspected something was up.”

Knowing she had to nip this in the bud, Riley said, “It’s not a date. Seriously. I have some plans for Knots and Tangles,and I wanted to run them by him. He . . .” She wondered if she should say anything about him wanting to improve the town,then decided against it. “That’s it. We just agreed to have supper at the same time. We both have to eat, you know.”

“Right.” Harper eyed Riley’s clothes, the usual plain T-shirt and jean shorts. “You’re not wearing that, are you?”

“No,” she replied, feeling somewhat defensive. “I’m going to change into jeans.”

Harper sighed. “I was afraid of that. Friendly dinner or not, it won’t hurt for you to dress up a little. I brought some thingsthat might work for you.”

Now Riley felt humiliated. Was her appearance that bad? Her clothes weren’t fancy, but they were comfortable—way better thanwhat she’d had when she was with Tracey. More than once she had been pulled out of class by a kind teacher or the school nurseand given a new pair of jeans that didn’t have holes in them or a jacket that actually fit. The clothes themselves were old,but they were new to Riley, and they were clean, something her clothes rarely were.

“Hey.” Harper’s tone grew serious. “I didn’t hurt your feelings, did I?”

Riley picked up a full box of yarn. “Of course not.” But she couldn’t meet Harper’s eyes.

“Oh, I’m pretty sure I did.” She hurried over to Riley and put her arm around her shoulders. “I can be so thoughtless sometimes,”she said, sincerity filling her tone. “Usually I try to catch myself, but . . . I just wanted to do something nice for you,that’s all. Mother said you had dropped everything to come help Erma, and I figured you wouldn’t have had time to pack much.But if I’ve offended you, I’m really sorry.”

Riley could see Harper was being genuine. She could also see that she was upset. Riley set down the box. “It’s okay.” Shepaused. “You’re right, my wardrobe could use a little help. I didn’t pack very much when I left New York. I was in too muchof a hurry.”

“Well, if it’s okay, I brought a few things I thought might fit you.” Harper gave her a sheepish grin. “But you don’t haveto look at them if you don’t want to.”

Now Riley was curious, and she also didn’t want to make Harper feel any worse. “I’d like to.”

Harper brightened. “Oh good!” Her heels clicked on the worn tile floor as she walked to the other side of the counter andstarted pulling clothing out of the bag. “You have such beautiful fair skin, I thought these would be pretty on you.” Shehanded Riley a pale-pink scoop-neck blouse with a thin band of lace edging on the hem, along with a flared skirt that wasa shade