“I appreciate your effort at accuracy.”
“I do what I can.” She laughs. “Which would you like? Ready salted or cheese and onion?”
“I’ll take whichever is least intriguing to you.”
“Ready salted.” Like with the candy bar, she thoughtfully opens the bag for me. She’s a good co-pilot. She opens her bag and tastes one of her cheese and onion crisps. “Reminds me a bit of sour cream and onion chips. I like it.”
“I’m glad. These are just like plain salted chips in the US,” I say before popping one in my mouth.
“I made the right choice then.” She pops another chip in her mouth and finishes it before she speaks again. “The restaurant. So, it's a historic building on Main Street, so it's got exposed bricks on the walls. And the ceiling. Man, it was my absolute favorite. It’s these huge white embossed tiles. They made the place look impressive. They were able to be cleaned and saved,thankfully.”
“The people who owned the restaurant years before me had modernized things and it looked okay. I didn't hate it, but I think I want to embrace some of the classic look it might have had when it was built. I think I’m going for an understated classic design. I’m hoping the ceiling and the food will be the stars.”
“I love that you’re embracing what was. Growing up here, I was surrounded by history, obviously, and since being back I’ve realized how I miss it. I’m not sure if it’s seeing things through your eyes a bit, or maybe my aunt’s diabolical plan is working, but I’ve realized how infrequently I see anything actually historical anymore.”
“The US is fairly young.”
“It is, but there is still history around, and I love that you’re trying to preserve and honor your piece of it.”
I see her smiling at me in my periphery and it makes my heart pick up the pace. If only I could make her smile like that all the time.
26
Ivy
“You’reunderarrest,”Alexsays, then holds my wrists behind my back. I’m embarrassed to say how much I didn’t hate it.
“What is my supposed crime?” I laugh.
“Having hair more beautiful than is allowed by law.”
This made me throw back my head and laugh, running my skull into his collarbone.
“Agh.” He releases my hands. “I knew it was bad, but surely I didn’t deserve that.” He laughs and steps around to my side. “This used to be a jail.”
We are standing in front of a super old structure that has towers and went over the road, and it’s where we are planning to eat an early dinner.
“No joke?”
“No joke.” He holds out his hand, and I take it. “Ready to eat?”
“Yes. Mycrispshave worn off!”
We step inside and find a mix of old intricate brickwork and modern designs. It’s truly one of the coolest restaurants I’ve been to, and it makes me want to find an old jail to turn into a restaurant—although it probably wouldn’t have the same effect in North Carolina. I’m pretty sure our old jails don’t have stone towers.
Alex orders the truffle mushroom ravioli, and since he has no idea it will be my third time, I order the fish and chips.
When our food arrives at the table, I smile at the crispy fish waiting for me. Alex laughs.
“Would you like to try mine?” He asks, holding out a ravioli speared on his fork.
I’m not a huge fan of mushrooms, but I may like them inside pasta. “Sure.” He seems to want to make a moment of this, so I lean forward, maintaining eye contact, as I slide my mouth around the ravioli. And then I inhale weirdly, which could have to do with the truly gigantic ravioli I have in my mouth. What was he thinking? He could have cut it. I go into a coughing fit, the ravioli ending up in my hand as everyone within ten feet of us watches.
Well, it was like a scene from a movie, just probably not theone he’d intended.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. Are you okay?” His face looked a little more devastated than the situation warranted. Did he think I would hate him now that he tried to choke me?
I cleared my throat. “I’m alright.”
