I lifted my chin at Nellie, urging her to go first. “I guess I’ll have the prime New York Strip loin.”
“How would you like your steak done?”
“Medium rare, please. Could I get mashed potatoes and asparagus, too?” Nellie asked, her eyes darting to me to make sure it was okay.
“I’ll have mine done rare and a baked potato instead of mashed,” I told Gabrielle when she looked at me. She nodded, taking our menus, and headed back to the kitchen.
I grabbed a slice of the fresh bread, coating it in butter and offering it to Nellie. She took it, giving me a small thankful smile, taking a bite of the bread and closing her eyes as if savouring the taste. “Mmm, this bread is delicious!”
“Sure is. They bake it fresh every day.” I buttered a slice for myself. Nellie swallowed and took a sip of her lemonade, her eyes taking in the details of the restaurant.
I had a thousand questions I wanted to ask her, but I got the impression Nellie didn’t want to risk anyone overhearing us.
“So, how are you liking Hartwood Creek?” I asked, trying to find neutral ground.
“It’s been a bit of an adjustment. Sage tried to warn me, but even with her warnings, the reality of small-town life is taking some getting used to,” Nellie replied, fighting a smile. “Did you know Sage called me the moment I got home from the grocery store last week to say that someone overheard us making plans to go on a date?”
“Doesn’t surprise me. I told you there were eyes and ears everywhere,” I chuckled, grabbing another slice of bread and pushing the basket toward Nellie.
“Yeah, well. It’s freaky. But kind of sweet, I guess? I don’t know how I feel about it, yet. I’m not used to anybody knowing my business, let alone everyone.” Nellie shook her head, frowning.
“The longer you live here, the more you get used to it. But you’ll find the focus of interest shifts quickly,” I said, shrugging my shoulders.
“So, eventually I’ll be yesterday’s news?”
“Something like that.” My lips twitched. I didn’t think she’d ever be yesterday’s news.
“At least until word gets out about my predicament,” Nellie said darkly, sighing.
“You’re not the first unwed single parent in town,” I said low enough that nobody could overhear me. “And I could help with that.”
“I told you, Noah. I’m not looking for a marriage proposal.” She rolled her eyes dramatically.
“I’m not proposing—yet, anyway,” I said, lifting my glass to take a sip. I set my glass down, leaning forward as I kept my eyes on hers. “But I’m interested in you, Nell. I’m really, really interested in you, and I have been for a while. If you’re up for it, I’d like to give us a try.”
“Noah…” Nellie sounded conflicted. “I don’t even know if—”
“I don’t care about that, Nell,” I interrupted. “I mean, I care, but not in the way you think. It doesn’t matter to me if I am, or if I’m not. I’m interested in you and all that comes with you.”
She swallowed, her eyes glistening, and nodded. “I don’t even know how to be in a relationship, Noah. I haven’t been in one since high school.”
“Fitting, neither have I,” I smirked. “We can figure it out together.”
“I—”
“Think about it, Nellie. As much as you want to act like we don’t have chemistry, I feel it, and I know you do, too.”
“That’s not the issue, Noah,” Nellie sighed. “You know what the issue is.”
“Trust me when I say, either way I’m in. I know that’s not what you were looking for when you told me, I know you were telling me because you felt I should know, and I’m thankful for that. But I’m in, Nellie. I want this, all of it.” I told her, looking pointedly at where her stomach would be, although I couldn’t see it through the table.
And I meant it. Nothing about Nellie’s situation changed how I felt about her. If anything, it made those feelings stronger.
* * *
Nellie
* * *
