I might’ve worn one of the honeymoon dresses I’d gotten for Bali. I had to pair this one with a lilac cardigan, and I wore ankle boots instead of sandals, but I’d caught Jonah eying my legs several times, even with as tense as he was.
A man and woman younger than us exited the restaurant, laughing and talking. I didn’t recognize them, butthey glanced at us and went back to chatting with each other.
Jonah relaxed only slightly.
I rubbed his forearm, and we continued to the entrance. He opened the door for me, giving me a hot, but tight once-over, his gaze dipping down to my legs like he needed to fortify himself before going in.
The hostess smiled brightly at us. She had to still be in high school.
If Curly were seating us, he might put me and Jonah up front. The mountain man had chosen Curly’s establishment for one of his only eating-out experiences. But this hostess likely didn’t know what the Baileys looked like and didn’t care.
“Two tonight?”
“Yes,” Jonah said so gruffly I was afraid he’d startle her. She didn’t miss a beat. The restaurant was loud this time of night.
She led us past the muffin display—and where I’d had the run-in with Jackie. It’d been months. I had to get over this jealousy.
At the same time, I commiserated with her. Had I felt what she’d felt when Jonah wouldn’t commit? That had been before the accident. Had they both just been too young, or would he have never committed?
I stuffed my questions away. Tonight wasn’t the night. This was about getting Jonah used to being in public in Bourbon Canyon.
And a little bit about announcing us as a pair.
Okay, a lot.
His fingers clutched mine as we followed the hostess. We passed a retired math teacher from high school. Shesmiled at me, but when her gaze landed on Jonah, shegawked.
There was no going back.
A few booths later, I spotted Jason. His grin was broad. “Summer Kerrigan, how are y—” His eyes went wide. “Jonah?”
Jonah nodded, his fingers cinching around mine tighter until I couldn’t feel my fingertips. “Jason.”
“N-nice to see you out.” Jason’s wife and his oldest daughter stared at us. And our linked hands. “To see you both.”
I smiled as we passed. “Have a good night.”
Was I imagining it, or had the noise level in the place diminished? There were still people talking. Those who didn’t know Jonah or me, who didn’t know his past, and especially those who didn’t know how Jonah and I had been connected through his brother.
Those who did? Wide-eyed gaping. Hushed murmurs and whispers. The prickle of their attention danced down my back, and I suppressed a shiver. How was it going for Jonah?
Finally, we reached a table toward the back. Only a lap through the main dining area would have taken us past more people.
Jonah pulled out a chair that would have my back toward the crowd.
“You can sit here,” I said only loud enough for him to hear.
“No chance you’re going to be their dinner show.”
I placed a kiss on his lips. “Thank you.”
His mouth quirked. “That was some fuel you added there.”
I chuckled and caught the hostess’s confused blink. “Busy place,” I said to keep her from standing awkwardly even longer.
Her nod was full of knowing authority. “Saturdays are always like this. What can I get you to drink?”
“Water,” Jonah and I said at the same time.
