“I’ve done a good job of talking myself into a bit of anxiety myself. So then, we’ll think of this as an adventure, not a date.” He winked, clearing away some of the tension.
“I guess we’ll be nervous together.” She smiled in response to his wink.
Knowing he was nervous, too, helped lighten her own unease. They headed out to his car, and he drove them to the ferry. When they reached the mainland, they headed to Belle Island.
They pulled into the crushed shell parking lot at Magic Cafe and he came around and opened the door for her. They walked inside and a she couldn’t help but smile. “Oh, it looks the same. Just like I remember it.”
“Hello, welcome to Magic Cafe,” an older woman greeted them. “I’m Tally.”
“Hi, Tally. Table for two,” Dale said.
“I overheard your remark. So you’ve been here before?” Tally asked, her warm eyes sparkling with friendliness.
“I have, but I was just a girl the last time I was here. I’ve been away for… well, for a long time.”
“You from around here?” Tally seated them at a table by the edge of the beach.
“He’s from Magnolia Key,” Maxine said. “Well, I guess I am, too. At least for now.”
Dale seemed to hesitate for a moment before sitting down across from her.
“I’ll send your server over right away. And I’m glad you decided to come back again. Always love to see repeat customers.” Tally hurried away.
Dale set his menu down on the table. “So you’re still thinking of leaving Magnolia? I thought that maybe… maybe you’d decided to stay.”
“I haven’t made any permanent decision. I’m just kind of taking it day by day. Week by week.” Though, she had to admit she had been toying with the idea of making Magnolia her home again. Change her address to here. Become a Florida resident again. She didn’t know why it felt like such a huge step. And once she did make the decision, then… well, it was a huge change.
“Okay, sure. No pressure.” But there was a bit of disappointment in his eyes mixed with understanding.
And she needed that now. Understanding. And someone willing to take things slowly. Because her life had spiraled out of control the last few years, and the last thing she needed was to make rash decisions.
Their meal was perfect, and Tally brought them complimentary slices of key lime pie at the end.
“Anyone who comes all the way from Magnolia Key to Magic Cafe deserves some dessert.” Tally smiled. “Though, I guess once the bridge is finished, it will be a lot quicker to come here, won’t it?”
“It will.” Maxine took a spoonful of the pie, the tartness delighting her tastebuds. “This is so good.”
Dale took a bite of his. “It is. I love key lime pie.”
“Glad you like it,” Tally said as she turned to leave.
Maxine took another bite, savoring the flavor. “Oh, I forgot to tell you. Did you hear that someone bought the last two houses at the end of the boardwalk?”
“No, I didn’t.” He frowned. “Both of them?”
“Darlene was in and said someone was asking for a variance on that property. To build to a higher height.”
“That’s not good. It will ruin the whole feel of the boardwalk if a high-rise looms over it.”
“Beverly and Eleanor are planning to go to the city council meeting and speak against allowing the building height rules to be overturned.”
“I’ll make a point to go, too.”
After dessert, they went out onto the beach and walked down to the water’s edge.
“It’s so pretty here,” she said. “The turquoise water, the white sand.”
“Pretty much what we have on Magnolia Key, isn’t it?” he teased her.
