“Do you have any favorite restaurants or food orders?”
Gemma thought about her small townhome near the city limits of Glasgow. “Not especially. There aren’t too many places to eat near my parents’ home except for the pub. Their food is average. I usually order curry, a wrap, or a steak and ale pie. I’ve been spoiled by traveling so much.”
“I can understand that.”
Gazing around the diner, she noticed there were a few black-and-white photos of celebrities adorning the walls, some vintage pinball games, a red-and-chrome jukebox, and a small open space.
“Curious. It looks like they’re missing a booth.”
“No. That’s the dance floor.”
“A dance floor?”
“Uh-huh. After dinner, we can test it out if you’re feeling up to it.”
She fidgeted. “I want to say yes, but?.?.?.” Her eyes traveled to her lower body.
“You’re afraid to push it.”
She nodded. “Another rain check?”
“I’ll do you one better. We’ll go out dancing once you’re feeling better.”
Her lips twisted. “I’m dying to see some of your best dance moves.”
He rested an elbow on the table. “I’m not that good of a dancer.”
“Says the man who played for an exhibition baseball team. I bet you have a couple more moves than Charlie.”
Although he has been taking some ballroom dance lessons.
“I can do a decent box step, waltz, and swing dancing.”
The server returned with their drinks, placing the fizzing Coke in front of Tim and the icy water in front of Gemma. “Is there anything else I can get you two?”
“No, we’re good. Thanks, Selena,” Tim said.
As the waitress left, Gemma mused, “I can see why you’d choose a place like this. It’s cozy and just puts a smile on your face being here.”
Tim smiled. “Totally. This place has a lot of memories. It’s where my parents had their first date, and where I celebrated my high school graduation.”
“Your parents had their first date here?”
“Uh-huh.” He took a drink of his Coke. “I’m the third generation Lyons family member to live here. My grandparents moved here in the 1920s from LA. What about your family? Have they moved around? Or are they all in one place still?”
“My family has lived in Glasgow for a couple generations. My great-great-grandparents are from an area of the Highlands near Fort William. It’s not too far from Ben Nevis, if you’re familiar with hiking.”
“That’s the tallest mountain in the UK?”
“It is.”
He ran a hand over his jaw. “I’m trying to come up with something else clever to say about Scotland, but I’m failing. All I can think about is that it’s the birthplace of golf, there’s a monster that lives in Loch Ness, and not to ask for haggis if I’m at a restaurant.”
“That’s better than most people. I’ll just have to fill in those gaps in knowledge, especially when it comes to Nessie.”
Tim raised an eyebrow. “Do you think the Loch Ness monster exists?”
“I do. The loch is deep and there is no way of knowing for certain all of its secrets. An ancient sea monster might just live in its murky depths.”
