Chapter 2

As the credit card reader starts to spit out Seth’s receipt, I realize he’ll be leaving in a few minutes and I don’t want that to happen. He’s too good-looking to just let him walk away. Mandy’s still in the back room and there are no other customers in line, so I dawdle with the reader, reprinting his receipt as I try to think of something to say.Anythingto keep him here a little longer.

Taking in his suit again, I wonder what he’s doing in the quaint little part of town known as Lakeside. This isn’t exactly downtown Richmond—the street where I work boasts a handful of antique stores, a few consignment shops, and a farmers’ market on Wednesdays. Somehow, I don’t think he’s here just for the Hanover tomatoes. Hoping to start a conversation, I say, “I haven’t seen you around here before.”