“Yes. I know exactly how her mind works.”
She thought he was being sarcastic, but it was hard to tell. He was definitely more relaxed. It felt like something in their relationship had shifted. It was almost like by skating together, they’d gotten rid of a barrier wall between them.
Frankie unbuckled her seat belt and opened the car door. “She didn’t bribe me. I came willingly. As a friend.”
Charlie slid out of his own side of the car. “So she guilted you into it?”
Frankie huffed. “Is it so difficult for you to think that I might havewantedto have dinner with you?”
“Yes. I know I’m not exactly the world’s easiest person to get along with.”
She rolled her eyes. “If you must know, Leslie called it babysitting, but that isn’t at all how I see it.”
“How do you see it, then?”
They closed the doors, and he clicked the alarm to his truck. They’d carpooled from the rink to Millie’s, a restored historic wooden cabin in the heart of the small town.
“I spend more time at the rink than anywhere else. It’s inevitable the people who work there are going to become like a second family to me. So I see tonight as an icebreaker activity between us.”
“Okay. That I can get on board with.”
They walked from the parking lot up a pathway lined by a string of tea-light lanterns. They shimmered like golden dancing fireflies against the backdrop of the evening. Frankie could see couples dining as they passed some windows. The air was thick with the scent of cooking meat.
Charlie held the door open for her, and they stepped inside. A roaring fire burned in a glass fireplace behind the hostess’s podium. Soft piano music played in the background.
“Welcome in. How are y’all doing tonight? Just the two of you?”
“Yeah,” Charlie confirmed.
The hostess tapped the screen of a tablet and took his name. “It’ll be about fifteen minutes before you’re seated. This buzzer will go off when your table is ready. Feel free to wait here, in the lounge, or outside.”
They thanked her and said they’d wait in the lounge.
Walking deeper into the building, Frankie counted a total of five rooms. Each one had its own distinct theme and colors.
“This building dates back to the eighteen-sixties. It’s one of the original structures in Sequoia Valley,” Charlie said. “The owners of Millie’s have done a bang-up job with the restoration of the place. Proceeds from the restaurant help support the upkeep.”
They sat down across from one another in plush maroon chairs. An art-deco Tiffany-style lamp was on the side table next to Charlie. To their left was the bar. To their right, a chocolate-colored Great Dane lay stretched out asleep in front of a gray stone fireplace.
“I love that story. The atmosphere really does feel like we’re sitting in a lodge in the middle of a forest.”
Charlie grinned. “That’s one of the reasons this is my favorite restaurant.”
“Who is that cutie over there?
“That’s Millie. The restaurant’s mascot.”
Frankie crossed one leg over the other as her stomach rumbled. Her face warmed. “The smells are making me hungry.”
“I’ve tried every single item on the menu, and I can say with confidence that every dish is delicious.” Charlie scooted forward in his seat. “I should’ve asked, do you want anything from the bar? I’m driving, but don’t let that stop you from having a drink if you want one.”
“I don’t normally drink, but I wouldn’t mind a Shirley Temple.” She reached for her clutch.
“Got it. Tonight is on Leslie. I’ll have her expense it as a work dinner.” He hopped to his feet. “I’ll be right back.”
Frankie leaned back in her seat. The fire cracked. She watched Millie roll onto her back and look up at her lazily with large brown eyes. Frankie’s own eyes traveled up to Charlie, and she took in how he looked in form-fitting jeans and a navy cable-knit sweater.
His legs and backside were massive compared to his trim waist. She wondered how he managed to find jeans that fit over his bubble butt.She could get away with wearing leggings most of the time, but men had it more difficult, especially as skaters.
