“It was. Really strange. But it was also fun and a bit… I don’t know… exhilarating? I never thought I’d be dating again after I married Victor. And then after he left, I was pretty anti-men. All men. And anyone who wanted any control over me.” Maxine shrugged. “But now? It just seemed like the right time to take the first step.”
“Dale’s a good guy. Who better to go on a first date with?”
Maxine frowned. “How about you? When’s the last time you went out on a date?”
“It’s been awhile.” She dodged any specifics.
“You should try it. It’s kind of fun.” Maxine grinned. “And… I’m kind of thinking of making this move to Magnolia permanent.”
“You are? That’s fabulous.” Beverly hugged her friend. “I love having you here. Not to mention you’re a great employee.” She laughed.
“I like it here, too. And I’ve missed you while I’ve been gone. I forgot how nice it is to have a friend like you to talk to. Most of my so-called friends back in Philadelphia were just parents I knew because of the kids.”
The thought of having Maxine back permanently thrilled Beverly. She had a lot of friends here on Magnolia Key, but none of them were as close as she and Maxine had been. And they were becoming that close again.
“I love having my own place now. Decorating it just how I want. I’m having such fun with it.”
Maxine sure was embracing her newfound independence. And her new home. A pang of—something—flittered through Beverly. She was happy for her friend. But in a way, it just made her same-same life seem predictable and a bit lonely. Going home alone each night to the empty cottage. Eating alone. Sitting out on her deck alone. Since when did that make her feel lonely?
She knew why, if she’d admit it to herself. Maxine’s date had stirred up long-buried memories. Ones better left unthought of.
“Anyway, I’m not sure where this thing with Dale is going. Or if it’s even a thing.”
“But you should keep going and figure out where it’s headed.”
“I will… It’s just kind of scary to think about getting involved with someone again. Victor leaving me was such a surprise. I had no clue. I feel foolish that I didn’t see any of the signs.”
“No one expects someone to just up and leave like that.” No one. Not Maxine. Not… her.
“That’s in the past.” Maxine waved to a customer coming in the door. “And that’s where it will stay.” She headed over to greet the customer.
Sometimes keeping the past in the past was harder than you’d think. But she didn’t have the nerve or energy or whatever to really confront her own past. And she didn’t know if Maxine’s courage in dating again gave her hope for herself that someday she’d try the whole dating thing again, or not.
Yes, sometimes keeping the past firmly buried did seem like the best way to handle it. She bustled away to take an order, leaving all thoughts of the past behind her. Mostly.
CHAPTER18
Afew evenings later, Dale had yet to say anything else about them going on an official date again, even though she’d seen him out on the beach the other morning. So she took the lead and asked him over for happy hour at her cottage tonight. There was a bottle of nice red wine open to breathe on the counter, and she’d made an appetizer that she found the recipe for online. Baked brie with apricot sauce all put in a puff pastry. She’d just pop it in the oven for them when it was time. She loved trying new recipes. Although things had changed since the days she would put together a big business dinner without much notice. She loved to cook, but it wasn’t as much fun cooking for one. This was a nice reason to try something new.
The fairy lights she’d recently hung over the arched doorways in the main room created a festive but homey atmosphere. She’d always loved lights like this and had once made a lantern filled with ornaments, twine balls, and fairy lights for the corner of the living room. She’d thought it looked lovely. Victor had hated it and made her get rid of it. Maybe she’d make another one for here at her cottage. The freedom of making her own choices exhilarated her, and she hummed as she straightened the room and waited for Dale.
She answered his knock a few minutes later and couldn’t help the immediate smile that popped on her face when she saw him. She grabbed his hand. “Here, come in.”
He stepped inside. “Hope I’m not late. Got tied up at the shop.”
“You’re fine. Let me put the appetizer in the oven and we’ll get our wine.”
He followed her over to the kitchen. “I like these lights you put up. They add a warm glow to the room.”
She blushed with pleasure at his compliment. “Thank you.”
After she slipped the appetizer into the oven and set an alarm, they went over and settled on the couch.
“I see you finished your coffee table. It looks great.” Dale reached for a coaster to set his drink on.
“I do think the cottage is coming together like I pictured it in my mind.” Happiness swelled through her. Her life was finally settling down. Better than she’d imagined it ever would.
“What are you thinking about? You’re smiling.”
