“No,” she said with a smile. “It’s always the same. I mean they’ve added a few things over the years. But we’re creatures of habit here, that’s for sure.”
“That’s nice,” Ash said, finding that he meant it.
In his experience, the ever-changing world might be improving in some important ways, but it was also exhausting. There was something comforting about holding onto old traditions.
He turned onto Bear Avenue and found a parking spot near the end of the block.
“Perfect,” Allie said with a smile. “And I’m sure a ton of people will see us here tonight. This was a great idea.”
Her happy words cut him a little and he felt some of his earlier joy deflate. While he was thinking about how to transition this fake engagement into something real, Allie clearly wasn’t even considering it.
But if the corporate world had taught him anything, it was how tofake it ’til you make it.
And Ash was feeling more determined than ever to make it.
He hopped out of the truck and opened the passengerside door for Allie, offering her his hand to help her down.
“Thank you,” she said, as she took it and gracefully descended.
He felt another rush of appreciation for her beauty, inside and out. It would be a pleasure to be by her side tonight.
He only wished he could be certain she felt the same—that he was getting under her skin the same way she was getting under his.
Ash knew he was a good-looking guy. In the city, there had been plenty of women expressing an interest subtly and not-so-subtly after his wife left.
He’d caught Allie blushing at his words maybe once or twice. But she didn’t seem to be hung up on his looks or money the way a lot of women were.
I’ll have to win her over in other ways,he told himself.I didn’t get where I am by giving up easily.
14
ALLIE
Allie felt a rush as Ash walked her to the doors of The Moose. The old bar and grill was a really nice restaurant, and its location on the corner of Bear Avenue and Red Oak Street, right across from the park, made it the perfect place to be spotted by curious townsfolk.
And while she knew the purpose of tonight was just that—appearances, she couldn’t help being excited about a night out, even if it was just a simple dinner.
It had been forever since she had dressed up, and she’d even smoothed on a little lipstick for tonight, and swept a touch of mascara onto her lashes, though she normally didn’t bother with makeup.
Seeing Ash’s face as he took her in had been really satisfying, and the littlewowhe’d let out made her blush like a schoolgirl.
He’s a wealthy man,she reminded herself.And his ex looks like she could have been a model. He’s not actually interested in me like that.
But it was fun to pretend.
She automatically reached out and patted the big, wooden carved moose by the front door as they headed inside, smiling nervously when she realized what she had done.
“You like the moose, huh?” Ash asked.
“I always pat him when I pass the restaurant,” Allie admitted. “I have since I was a kid. I used to think it was lucky.”
“Another town tradition?” Ash asked, cocking one eyebrow in a way that made him look so gorgeous she had to turn away.
“Nope,” she said. “That one is just me.”
“I like it,” he told her, stopping to pat the moose himself. “There, now we’ll both be lucky.”
Allie smiled as he opened the big red front door for her. A rush of warm air and the scent of savory foods cooking greeted them.
