“Probably.”And Heather was right. This party might lead to more bookings for him. But he’d turn all that down if it bothered her, because there was no way he ever wanted to get back on bad footing with Heather. He’d missed her too much. Way too much. Sometimes so much it caught him off guard, like when something good happened and he wanted to reach for his phone to call her and tell her.
He fervently hoped they were getting back to that stage. That they could just erase the last few years of discord.
Tally came over to the table, interrupting his thoughts.“So it looks like the island is going to provide you with one of our signature sunsets tonight.”
“It does.”Heather glanced out at the view.
“I’m really glad you two decided to come tonight. It’s not often I see people from Moonbeam these days, what with The Cabot reopened—and I hear its dining room is fabulous—and the opening of Parker Cafe.”
“Don’t let Livy hear you call it that. Its official name is Sea Glass Cafe.”Heather laughed.“But no one in the town calls it that.”
“I’ll have to get over to Moonbeam and try it out. You know, that and take a cruise on The Destiny.”Tally smiled ruefully.“But it seems like I’m always so busy here.”
“You’re welcome on The Destiny anytime. And I’m sure they’d love to have you at the cafe, too.”Jesse said. But he sure could relate to the always being too busy to do some of the things he’d love to do.
“Here comes your server. I’ll let you two eat. Enjoy your meal.”Tally smiled and whisked away to chat with a couple at a nearby table.
“I’ve missed this place,”Heather said as their server placed their meal on the table.
He looked at the mouthwatering dinners.“I have, too.”And he’d missed just the simple pleasure of having a meal with Heather.
Chapter 12
They left Magic Cafe after having a wonderful dinner, watching a spectacular sunset, and chatting with Tally again for a bit. Heather couldn’t remember the last time she’d had such a nice, relaxing evening. And one with Jesse, on top of that.
As they headed over the bridge and back toward Moonbeam, Jesse sang along softly to a song on the radio. She’d forgotten how he’d do that. Join in on parts of the song, his deep voice following along with the melody. He knew all the words to about a bazillion songs as near as she could figure.
He glanced over at her as they pulled into Moonbeam.“So, would you like to come over to my cottage for a bit? We could have a drink out on the deck. It’s sure nice out tonight—”He paused, and she wasn’t sure if he was finished or not.“And I’m not ready for the evening to end.”
She swore she could hear him holding his breath, waiting for her answer.
What was her answer? She debated a moment or two. The evening had been nice. Very nice. Should she chance ruining it by spending even more time with him? But the thing was, shewantedto spend more time with him. Like when they were kids, and it was just never enough time together. Best friends. Constant companions.
“I’d like that.”There. The decision was made. Besides, she was a bit curious to see inside his cottage. He’d moved since the last time she’d been to his place. That time when Shelly had been there…She put the thought aside.
They pulled into the drive at his cottage and got out. She followed him up the steps to his front door and he opened it, flicking on the lights as they entered. She looked around, taking it all in. The cottage was an open concept design, and she could see all the way through to the view out the French doors lining the beachside of the house. The kitchen was tucked over to one side. He’d furnished the house with a comfortable-looking sofa and overstuffed chairs. She walked further into the house and stopped, staring at the wall.
She pointed to the wall hanging.“You have one of my illustrations.”She stepped closer. It was a signed copy.“It looks like…one of my originals?”
He nodded.“I searched around until I found a gallery that sold some of your original artwork. I wanted a Heather Parker original.”He flashed an impish grin.“Since I couldn’t have the real person.”
Shock swept through her. Even with everything that happened between them, he’d paid for an original piece of her artwork. And she knew he’d paid a pretty penny for it, too.“I would havegivenyou an original if you’d asked.”
“Ah, but we weren’t exactly speaking at the time.”His easy smile teased her gently.
“I guess there was that.”
He led her through the cottage, grabbed a bottle of wine and two glasses, and they headed out to his deck. The almost-but-not-quite full moon spilled light down across the water. A palm tree flickered shadows on the sand. Stars danced above them as they sat down on a glider and looked out at the rolling waves.
The glider slid slowly back and forth, and she found herself mesmerized by the moment. Together with Jesse again. Comfortable with him. Talking about anything and everything.
Friends again? Maybe.
Could that really happen?
Jesse draped his arm around Heather’s shoulder, and she leaned against him. He didn’t miss the tiny sigh that escaped her lips. It felt so right to be back on good terms with her. Phenomenal, stupendous, exceptional, even. And any other word he could think of.
He’d made so many mistakes over the years with her. So many. Saying things he didn’t mean. Telling her what he thought she wanted to hear. Afraid of chasing her away if he told her how he really felt.
