She smiled, pleased with his reaction. It had been a long time since she’d shared a meal like this with someone, and she realized how much she had missed the simple pleasure of good food and good company.
Mark stood at the end of the meal and gathered his dishes. “Let me help with these.”
“How about I just rinse them and set them in the sink? I’ll deal with them later when I’m getting things prepped for breakfast tomorrow.”
“Are you sure?” He really wouldn’t mind helping. He wasn’t quite ready to call it an evening.
“I’m sure.”
“Well, would you like to go out and sit on the porch for a bit?”
“That sounds lovely.”
Relief swept through him that the evening wasn’t over yet.
They headed outside, and Darlene settled onto the glider. The evening air was warm and heavy with the scent of honeysuckle, and the gentle sound of the water lapping at the shore of the bay created a soothing backdrop. He eased down beside her. The glider creaked and swayed gently as they found their balance together.
“It’s a beautiful night,” he said, resorting to small talk, even though he wanted to ask her questions and learn more about her. About her life here on Magnolia Key. What she thought about so many things. Her hobbies, her favorite color. So much he didn’t know.
She nodded, her eyes scanning the horizon, where the evening darkened and the stars began to dot the sky. “It is. I love this time of day, when everything starts to slow down, and the world feels a little more peaceful.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, enjoying the serenity of the evening. He found himself stealing glances at her, admiring the way the fading light played across her features. She looked relaxed and content.
“Thank you again for dinner,” he said, breaking the silence. “It was delicious.” Why would his mind only give him small talk? He wanted to ask her questions. Endless questions.
She smiled, turning to face him. “It was my pleasure. It’s nice to cook for someone who appreciates it.”
“I more than appreciate it. You’re a fantastic cook.” He hesitated, not sure he should say it, then added, “And a wonderful friend.”
Her smile softened, and she reached out to pat his hand. “You’re a good friend too, Mark. I’m glad you came to stay at the B&B.”
A feeling ofsomethingspread through him at her words. He’d come to the island seeking solitude and inspiration, but he’d found something even more valuable in Darlene’s friendship. She understood his grief and his struggle to move forward. Her presence brought comfort and belonging. Two things he’d been missing.
“I’m glad too,” he said softly, covering her hand with his own. “I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived here, but you’ve made me feel more at home than I have in a long time.”
Her eyes glistened in the fading light, and she gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “That’s what I want for all my guests, but especially for you. You’ve been through so much, and you deserve to find peace and happiness again.”
He swallowed past the lump in his throat, touched by her words. “I’m starting to believe that’s possible, thanks to you.”
He chased away any remnants of guilt as they slowly swayed back and forth. It felt so right, sitting here beside Darlene.
They lapsed into silence again, their hands still clasped together as they watched the night darkened and the stars began to dot the sky. He knew that, eventually, he would have to leave the island and return to his life in the city. But for now, he was content to sit beside Darlene, enjoying the simple pleasure of her company and the beauty of the evening around them.
As they sat on the porch glider, the evening breeze gently rustled through the nearby magnolia trees. A sound so familiar, yet somehow it sounded more magical tonight to Darlene.
A feeling of being in the exact right place at the exact right time settled over her. As they watched the night sky, their hands remained clasped together, a simple and subtle gesture highlighting the connection they shared.
Her heart skittered as she realized the depth of her feelings for Mark. It frightened her, the thought of opening her heart again after so many years of focusing solely on the B&B and her granddaughter. She knew Mark was still in love with his late wife, Sarah, and that his stay on Magnolia Key was temporary. Yet, in this moment, none of that seemed to matter.
Mark turned to face her, his eyes filled with a tenderness that made her breath catch in her throat. “Darlene, I…” His voice was soft and filled with emotion. “I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me. Your friendship, your support… It’s meant more to me than I can express.”
She swallowed, hard, as she gazed into his eyes. “You don’t have to thank me. Having you here, seeing you find peace, and hearing that you’re writing again… well, it’s made my heart happy.”
They leaned closer, drawn to each other like two stars caught in a gravitational spin. Her heart pounded as his face drew nearer, his breath warm against her skin. Just as their lips were about to meet, the sound of the screen door slamming jolted them apart.
“Gran, I—oh!” Felicity stood in the doorway, her eyes wide as she took in the scene before her. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
She felt her cheeks flush as she quickly jumped up, her hands shaking as she shoved them in her pockets. “It’s all right, dear. Did you need something?”
