Chapter Fifteen

O n Sunday night, Keaton knocked on Raine's front door. Pippa's flower shop was closed, so he'd grabbed a bouquet of mixed flowers from the market. The vibrant flowers reminded him of Raine. She wore black or blue jeans and dark T-shirts to work, but her house was light and bright.

The door opened.

Raine wore a brown lace dress, topped with a black shawl, and brown ankle boots. He liked the look. This was the first time he'd seen her not in leggings or pants. Several long necklaces, all different, draped around her neck. Long dangling earrings graced her earlobes and the size of the other earrings got smaller as they went up her ears. Her hair was fluffier, almost curly. But her easy smile and warm eyes were his favorites.

"You're stunning." He remembered the bouquet and handed it to her. "These are for you."

Her lips parted, and then a wide grin spread across her face. She sniffed the flowers. "They're beautiful. Do I have time to put them in water?"

He nodded. "I'm early."

"I planned for that."

Huh? What did she mean by that?

"Come in." She headed toward the kitchen where she removed a vase from the cabinet above the stove. She filled the vase with water, added the plant food that had come with the bouquet, clipped each stem using scissors, and placed the flowers in the vase. "They're beautiful. Thank you."

She was the beautiful one. "Is your dress vintage?"

"Sort of. It's made from vintage pieces. I found an online store who makes dresses like these and fell in love. I don't dress up much, but when I do I wear stuff like this."

It sure beat a boring sweater set and skirt. Was it getting warm in here?

"Ready to go?" she asked.

He nodded. Maybe he'd feel more like himself when they arrived at the café.

Raine locked the door and then they headed toward his car. As he walked behind her, his gaze zeroed in on a vine tattoo that rose from her boot, wrapped around her calf, and snaked up beneath the hem of her dress. Initially he'd noticed her tattoos, but over the past month, he no longer saw them. They'd just been a part of her. But now that he saw this new one, he wondered how high it went or if there was a meaning behind it. That surprised him. He wasn't into tattoos himself, but Raine's intrigued him.

Okay, distracted him. And he had to admit her tattoos and jewelry appealed to him more than pearls.

*

The Falls Café was Raine's favorite place to eat in Silver Falls. A bud vase with a single red rose and a flickering votive sat on the linen-covered tablecloth. The food had been mouthwateringly delicious, as usual. The service impeccable. But she'd never had a more enjoyable time than tonight.

The difference?

Keaton.

They'd talked nonstop since they left her house. The only breaks in conversation had been when they ate, but the silence was comfortable rather than awkward. Now that the plates had been removed, they continued talking.

He took a sip of water. "So a few freshmen, especially the gamers, were floored that Thor and Loki weren't OG in comic books. They went into complete denial, which wasted an entire class when I'd hoped to cover all the Norse gods because they wanted to show me the movies the characters were in."

She laughed. "I thought your students were the best and the brightest."

"Some must slip through the cracks."

"Or maybe they live sheltered lives."

"Possibly. Enough about my classroom tales." Keaton reached across the table and laced his fingers with hers. "Tonight is a celebration. We did it. All the prep for the Boo Bash is completed."

Raine stared at their linked hands. She should be more weirded out, but his touching her felt totally natural. "We work well together."

"We do."

"Raine?" a woman asked.

Emmett's mom stood near their table with a shocked expression on her face. "Hi, Mrs. Wilson."

Mrs. Wilson's brows knotted. "Um, hello. Who's your friend?"

"Keaton Andrews, this is Mrs. Wilson. Mrs. Wilson, this is one of Callie's brothers."

Keaton flashed her a polite yet practiced smile. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Wilson."

Mrs. Wilson's mouth formed a perfect o, but her gaze remained locked on Keaton's hand on Raine's. "Emmett told me he's been trying to reach you."

Raine schooled her features, not wanting to show her surprise. Mrs. Wilson had never been antagonistic, but gossip had gotten back to Raine that Emmett's mom thought he could do better. Though Mrs. Wilson had been upset when her son left town. "I've been busy at the shop and planning the Boo Bash."

Keaton raised her hand and kissed the top of it. "And spending time with me."

Mrs. Wilson's eyes nearly bugged out.

"I have." Raine owed Keaton for helping with the Boo Bash, but his actions tonight earned him dessert. She would be buying at Lawson's the next time. "I heard Emmett's seeing someone. I hope that's going well for him."

"Of course, it is." Mrs. Wilson stared down her nose. "My Emmett is a catch."

Raine kept a smile frozen in place. Mrs. Wilson had told her after the breakup there were plenty of fish in the sea.

"So is Raine," Keaton said, not letting go of her hand.

She would order him an extra scoop of ice cream if he wanted pie—or whipped cream if he got something else. Whatever he wanted.

Mrs. Wilson continued to stare. It was uncomfortable and weird.

"We were just leaving," Raine said. "See you."

Emmett's mom walked away.

"Is she gone?" Raine asked.

"Peeking around the corner," Keaton whispered back. "Was that as weird for you as it was for me?"

"Weirder. I've spent every holiday for the past four years at her house. She was happy when Emmett broke up with me, but she acted surprised that I was with you."

"Not surprised. Upset."

"You think?"

He nodded. "I'm surprised steam wasn't coming out of her ears."

"Don't know why." Raine forced herself not to look at anything but him. "Emmett's living his best life. Why shouldn't I?"

"Am I part of your best life?"

"Yes, I mean…"

"I'm happy to be part of it for now, okay? And sorry if I overdid the date stuff."

"You were the perfect date. Want to head over to Lawson's? My treat."

Keaton squeezed her hand. "That's an offer I can't refuse."

"Let's go."

Outside as they headed toward the bakery, they held hands.

"You're quiet," he said.

"Dinner was great. Even with the unexpected visitor. I'm going to be sad when the Boo Bash is over."

"I'd like to keep seeing you while I'm in town."

Her spirits soared. "Any idea how long that will be?"

"No, is that okay?"

"To hang out and have fun?"

He nodded.

She was more of a relationship type, but temporary with an end date not that far away would be good for her. Practice for when she was ready for a boyfriend again. "Does that mean you expect free coffee?"

"Oh, I plan to keep coming in for more of your special pumpkin spice drinks. That's a given. But free isn't."

"We can discuss that. But I'm up for taking things day by day until you leave."

"Thank you." He stopped. "Can we seal our deal with a kiss?"

The hope in his voice melted a piece of her heart, but she wanted to be sure what he was asking. "A practice one?"

"For real."

Raine nodded.

He lowered his head to hers. She met him halfway. Their mouths met and…

His lips were soft and warm and oh-so-sweet. From his after-dinner drink, yes, but there was something more. Extra. Him.

Keaton kept holding on to her hand, but his free arm wrapped around Raine. He pressed harder against her lips. Tingles exploded at the point of contact and shot outward in all directions.

Wowsa.

Forget bad boys. The professor's kissing expertise beat them all. Raine wanted to keep on kissing him.

A warning bell sounded in her head.

She took a step back. Her heart galloped like it had finished running the Kentucky Derby.

Wide-eyed, Keaton's ragged breathing matched her own. He appeared at a loss for words.

That made two of them.

But they couldn't stand there all night staring at each other.

"We should get to Lawson's." Though she doubted any dessert could beat his toe-curling kiss. Not that Raine remembered curling her toes, but she probably had given the tingles.

A peace settled over her. She'd closed the door to relationships and love thanks to Emmett, but Keaton was pushing that door open. If only…

No, she had to take things day by day. Even if her heart, and now her lips, wanted…more.

*

The day before the Boo Bash, Keaton sat at his usual table with an iced vanilla chai with pumpkin cream cold foam drink. He raised his glass in a salute to his revised manuscript. He'd gone over the entire thing yesterday to make sure it was ready. His heart told him it was.

Time to send his story out into the world.

He attached it to the email reply from the agent he'd queried. She'd requested the full manuscript.

"Nothing to lose, and everything to gain." Keaton glanced at Raine behind the counter, and his chest expanded. He pressed send . "And it's off."

"Yo, Keaton." Brecken strode over in a hoodie with a baseball cap turned backward. He shrugged off his backpack and sat. "I got a B-minus on my paper. Highest grade so far."

He gave Brecken a high five. "Congrats."

"Couldn't have done it without you. Like seriously because I would have just watched the movie."

"Didn't you get more out of the book?" Keaton asked.

"A lot more. Except reading took me a lot longer."

"There are audiobooks. Check the library if the college doesn't have them," Keaton suggested. "Listening is easier for you."

"I will."

Timmy, today with hot pink hair, came over to the table with two drinks. He placed them on the table and sat.

"Tell him," Brecken urged Timmy.

"I got an A-minus on my assignment. The professor said he was impressed with my organized thoughts." Timmy settled in his chair. "He wants to keep a copy for his records."

"That's wonderful." Keaton was proud of both young men. He raised his drink. "To writing papers and getting good grades."

The three cheered and drank.

Raine cleaned off a nearby table. She shot a smile Keaton's way.

Brecken sighed. "I wish you were my instructor, Keaton."

"Same." Timmy fiddled with the cup sleeve. "I'd love to have you as my professor at Summit Ridge. You're better than any of the ones I have."

Keaton appreciated their gratitude, but… "Thanks, guys."

"Transfer to Summit Ridge." Brecken leaned over the table. "Students transfer to other colleges, so I'm guessing professors can too."

Timmy nodded. "Yeah, and you'd be closer to your family in Silver Falls."

Brecken tilted his head. "Your parents and Flynn are in L.A., but they don't seem to mind visiting Silver Falls."

Timmy kept nodding as if that would convince Keaton. "Everyone would take your classes."

"Scandinavian Folklore and Legends might not be that cool to the students at Summit Ridge."

"You make them cool."

"Thanks." The compliments meant a lot to Keaton.

Raine had wiped the same table a few times.

"Pull out your homework," he said. "You don't want to be here studying all night."

"Keaton must have a big date tonight," Brecken teased.

Keaton did, but that was none of their business. Especially since it was with Margot.

"Hit the books," Keaton said. "Rule number one of study club, don't question the professor."

Brecken snickered. "That means he's got a date."

"A hot date." Timmy glanced at Raine, who returned to the counter.

Keaton downed the remainder of his drink. "I'm getting a refill."

Timmy stood. "I'll get it."

"This is your study time." Keaton stood. "Be right back."

At the counter, he handed over his cup. "Can I have another?"

"Sure." Raine prepared the new one. "Why didn't you tell the kids the truth about why you won't teach at Summit Ridge?"

"What truth?"

"It's a state school."

She was correct, but… "I would never say that to them. Summit Ridge is the perfect college for Timmy. It'll be a good fit for Brecken."

"But not you?"

"I've always had a dream…"

"Tier one. I know."

"It's what I want. Is that wrong?"

"No, not at all."

"Which is why I didn't want Brecken and Timmy to feel bad if I said I didn't want to teach there."

"You gave them hope."

"Is that such a bad thing?"

Raine continued working on the drink. She handed him a glass, but there was no design on the foam. Yesterday, she'd made him a heart.

"You okay?" Keaton asked.

"Sorry, I'm being touchy."

"Nervous about tomorrow?"

She nodded.

"The Boo Bash will go off without a hitch."

Raine nodded again. "Your students keep looking over here. You'd better get back to them, or they'll think I'm your hot date."

"You usually are."

"Except for tonight."

"I want to do more than chores and errands for Margot. I thought she would enjoy a paint night."

"Oh, she will. She dragged Brandt to one in December. You'll have fun too."

"Hope so, but after we're finished with—"

"The Boo Bash. I hear the name in my sleep."

"My manuscript is off, so we can spend more time together without all the—"

"Crafting and sorting and filling."

"How about a kiss for luck?" he asked.

"Luck for the Boo Bash? Sure."

Keaton pressed his mouth against hers.

Warmth. Vanilla. Delicious.

He increased the pressure of his lips on hers, and she did the same. His pulse accelerated. If only they were alone…

But they weren't.

Keaton allowed his lips to linger before backing away.

She smiled up at him, almost shyly. She hadn't ever looked at him like that.

"That should bring us plenty of luck," he said.

His cell rang. Keaton glanced at the unknown number, but he recognized the area code—Boston. "I need to take this."

"I'll bring your drink over."

Keaton stepped outside. "Hello."

"Keaton Andrews?" a female voice asked.

"Yes."

"This is Dr. Janice Gomez with the World Languages and Cultures department."

"Oh, yes, Dr. Gomez, I've read your work on Hofstaeir." The paper on the Viking settlement in Iceland had fascinated Keaton. "How are you doing?"

"I'm in a pickle."

A pickle? "Anything I can do to help?"

"You applied for a position that's supposed to start next semester. But another professor needs to take a medical leave. We're not prepared to fill the first position, but I was wondering…hoping…you would fill another position through finals this semester. We should know in November about the first position, which you're in consideration for."

His heart stilled. He forced himself to breathe. "How many classes?"

"Two. Undergraduate."

He'd done that before. "When do you need me?"

"Yesterday." Dr. Gomez's laugh sounded forced. "The thirty-first at the latest so you're ready to teach on November first."

Next Monday. "That's quick."

"I realize this makes for a sudden relocation, so I won't make you decide on the spot, but I need a decision by Thursday morning, or I'll move on to the next candidate."

"Thank you. I appreciate the time."

"Looking forward to working with you, Keaton. Goodbye."

The line disconnected.

Keaton stared at his phone. This should be a no-brainer decision. Why hadn't he said yes?

A twinge of doubt was his answer.

Not about the job. He'd researched the department. They would never offer him the position if he wasn't qualified. The university was everything he wanted. Yet something held him back.

No.

Not something.

Someone.

He glanced through the coffee shop's front window.

Raine.

Did he want to leave when things were going so well?

That was the question. One he never thought he'd be considering, yet there it was. And as soon as he finished his study session with Brecken and Timmy, Keaton knew who to ask for advice.

*

In Margot's guest bedroom, Keaton set up his laptop. He had thirty minutes until they left for paint night. He clicked the link for his family's meeting room on Zoom. Mom, Dad, Flynn, and Callie were there.

Garrett entered the room and unmuted. "The gang's all here!"

Keaton stared at his family's faces. He was so lucky to have them.

Dad loosened his tie. "What's going on, Keaton?"

"I got a job in Boston. Not the one I applied for but a temporary one for this semester. But I'm still in the running for the one starting in January."

"If you're already there, wouldn't that make getting the other position easier?" Mom asked.

"No idea." But that made sense. "Both are temporary."

"When does it start?" Garrett asked.

Keaton explained what Dr. Gomez had said. "She followed up with an email, so everything is in writing."

"It sounds like everything you've ever wanted. Why haven't you accepted the job already?" Dad asked.

Flynn yawned. "This sounds like a dream position."

"It's a better university than the one in L.A., but it's in Boston." Mom rubbed the back of her neck. "That's the other side of the country."

"Lots of direct flights from Boston to Los Angeles, Mom," Garrett said.

"Lots of plusses to the position," Keaton admitted. "Even though it's temporary, it'll stop me from having a large gap on my CV."

Dad nodded. "That university will look impressive."

Keaton couldn't deny that. "It might give me a leg up on the other job too."

Callie frowned. "I thought you like being in Silver Falls."

"I do." Keaton did. "But this is Boston and a tier-one university."

"That's been your dream for a long time," Garrett said. "But what about Raine?"

Raine was the reason Keaton hadn't said yes immediately. He still felt torn over telling her he might be leaving.

"She doesn't know about the job yet. I want to wait until after the Boo Bash. I won't deny I wish the university was closer, but we both knew I wouldn't be in Silver Falls forever. But I'll be back in December, and planes fly to Washington state too."

Callie sighed, the same way she did when she was a kid. "I hoped you were here to stay."

"Same, baby sis." Garrett gave her a sympathetic smile. "But Keaton has always dreamed of a position like this."

She bit her lip. "You could have so much more than a job if you didn't leave."

Keaton didn't know what to say.

"Your brother's not you, sweetheart," Mom said.

"What would Keaton do in Silver Falls if he stayed?" Dad asked.

Callie straightened. "Summit Ridge University is in the next town."

Dad laughed. "That's a state school."

His father's snobby tone bristled. Was that how Keaton sounded when he spoke about public universities? If so, Raine had every right to call him on it.

"Yes, Dad." Callie huffed. "Summit Ridge is a state school. But their students deserve good professors too. And some state universities have better reputations than private ones."

"No one's saying state colleges aren't any good, Callie." Mom used her don't-upset-the-patient tone. "But there are more prestigious universities out there."

"There's no reason for Keaton to lower his standards when he has a position at an elite university with kids who want to be there to learn," Dad said.

Flynn and Mom nodded.

Garrett shook his head. "Sam and Timmy attend Summit Ridge, and they want to be in college."

"Prestige isn't everything," Callie said.

"It matters in academia," Dad countered.

Keaton agreed with him. "I know you want me to stay, Callie, but there are more universities in Boston. That gives me more opportunities for a permanent position. And it's what I've always wanted."

"I thought you might have a new dream now," Callie challenged.

"My dream hasn't changed." But as Keaton said the words, he wasn't one hundred percent sure that was still true.

"You need to take the job if only to prove to yourself that you could," Flynn counseled.

"Hey." Lines creased Callie's forehead. "What happened to what you do doesn't define you?"

"We're talking about Keaton—not you, dear," Dad said.

"Fine." Callie sounded resigned. "Whatever you decide. Follow your heart. It won't lead you wrong."

"Good advice, baby sis," Flynn said. "My advice is to call first thing and accept the job. You need to follow your dreams."

And Keaton's dream was in Boston. So why didn't that make him feel happier?