Joe stuffed his hands into his pockets, stepping back as he squinted at me.
“Didn’t you just check yesterday? What’s going on today? Other than Thea going back to work?” I raised a brow before his shoulders shook with a chuckle.
“Did Caterina tell you that? I miss the days when you both were too interested in pawing each other in public to notice anything going on around you.”
“Now look who likes to dodge. I only know because Caterina said she was having lunch with Thea today since she was back at the hotel. I expected you to head right back there, especially after blowing us all off to take care of her the other day.” His head tilted as he raised a brow.
“Does this story have a point? I have things to do.”
He laughed and dropped a hand to my shoulder. “I’m rooting for you guys. We both are. It wouldn’t be any fun if I didn’t give you shit about it.”
A smile snuck across my lips as I shook my head.
“I guess I have that coming. See you later.”
I waved to Dave and the new staff before heading out the door.
I meant what I’d said, I wouldn’t push Thea. It had taken a lot for her to reach out to me after I’d left the other morning, but I still needed her to make the next move. Even though I couldn’t stop making that easy for her, I wouldn’t be in her face about it.
I pulled into a spot in the front, nodding hellos to all the construction workers I’d gotten to know over the past few weeks. That had been my old profession before I’d left for Ocean Cove, and being in the thick of all the drilling and sawing almost made me a little nostalgic.
When I opened the door to the restaurant, a thrill ran through me at how it was all taking shape. There was still a lot to be done, but I had a good feeling. That was different: having good feelings and being so damn optimistic. I tried to manage my growing expectations, but no matter how I tried to manage them down to a lower, more likely outcome, sleeping next to Thea had blown them all out of the water.
“Are you ever at the pub anymore? Joe must get lonely.”
I turned toward Thea’s voice, then fought the widening of my eyes. She was not only better, she was gorgeous. Her eyes were bright, and the color was back in her cheeks. Her hair spilled down her back in waves and the simple black dress she wore did a lot of not so simple things to me below the waist.
“He’s fine. He probably likes the break.” Her smile grew as I came closer. “You look…” My needy rasp made me cringe. “Better. Much better.”
“I feel a lot better. I got two breakfasts out of those muffins, so again, thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.”
There was something about her today that I hadn’t seen, at least not since she’d been here. An ease in her smile, a less rigid stance. The way she was inching closer without looking like she’d jerk back at any second.
“I guess you’re working late tonight since it’s a Friday.”
I shrugged and leaned against the wall. “Most likely. Usually, in the summers, the night of the week doesn’t really matter.”
“I figured as much.” An audible sigh fell from her lips. “I should get back, I have a lot of paperwork to catch up on today.”
I grabbed her arm when she shifted to leave. “Is there a reason you mentioned it?”
Her shoulders tensed before she raised her gaze to mine. “I thought if you weren’t working late you’d want to maybe get something to eat, but it’s not a big deal.”
“Oh, but I think it is. Are you asking me out, Thea?”
I caught a huff before she turned her head.
“I asked if you wanted to eat with me. And I didn’t even ask. I said I was thinking of asking if you weren’t working late, which you said you were.” Her eyes shut before she rubbed at her temple and shook her head.
All that ease faded, but this tension I liked. She was flustered and so damn adorable I couldn’t take it.
“There are ways around that. Joe still owes me days of covering for him all alone.” I pulled her toward me, spying the corners of her mouth twitching despite the scowl in her eyes. “So, if you want to go on a date with me, all you have to do is be direct.” She gasped when I brushed the hair off her shoulder and drifted my hand down her back.
“You’re loving this, aren’t you?” She narrowed her eyes and groaned.
I lifted my shoulder in an innocent shrug. “Maybe a little. Or a whole hell of a lot.” I framed her face in my hands. “Ask me,” I whispered so close to her lips they almost brushed against mine.
