“Oh, I think I’m going to like this place,” Ash said, scanning the dark wood and understated decor.
Allie personally loved the thousands of twinkle lights that were hung from the trim and the bar. The place was so cozy during the holidays.
“Welcome to The Moose,” the hostess said, approaching and sliding her eyes up and down Ash in an appreciative way.
Allie didn’t blame her. He really did look gorgeous tonight. He’d traded in his usual flannel and jeans for a white button-down and gray trousers. He honestly looked like a movie star with his dark hair and wide shoulders.
“Thank you,” Ash said. “Can we have a booth? I want to show off my date.”
He winked and the hostess looked like she was literally melting. She had been a couple of years ahead of Allie in school and she knew she was one of the Chalfont girls, probably Mandy.
Is it pathetic that I can’t go anywhere without knowing everyone?
She’d never thought so before, but it was interesting to see Ash get to interact with her familiar world as an unknown entity in a brand-new environment.
Everyone in Sugarville Grove had decided long ago who Allie was, and it would be really hard to change their minds about her one way or the other. Mostly that was a good thing—people liked the Lawrence boys’ baby sister. But there had been plenty of times growing up when she wished she could reinvent herself, or at least not be forever in their shadow.
“Here you go,” Mandy said, leading them to a table overlooking the park. “How’s that?”
“It’s perfect,” Ash said.
“Great,” she said. “A server will be over to take your drink orders in just a moment.”
Ash waited for Allie to seat herself, and when he sat opposite her, she had a sudden pang, wishing he were next to her instead so she could lean on his shoulder and look out at the snow falling on the park like they were in a Christmas movie.
But something about it felt off, and she wasn’t sure why.
“Everything okay?” Ashasked softly.
She looked over at him and couldn’t help thinking all over again how handsome he was. Maybe it was the concern in his eyes, which she felt down to her toes, but she didn’t think she’d ever seen a more beautiful man, not even on television.
“Everything is great,” she told him.
He didn’t look convinced, but he turned his attention to the leather-bound menus Mandy had left for them.
“What’s good here?” he asked Allie, without even opening his.
She blinked at him for a moment.
She definitely couldn’t tell him that she had assumed he was the kind of guy who would want to take total control, and even order for her.
“I don’t know,” she said, shaking her head. “The steaks are great, if you’re a steak man, and their burger is next level. And if you want something healthier, they have maple-glazed salmon, and the maple syrup comes from a farm in town.”
“I’ve heard about that place,” he said. “Have you been there?”
“Yes, lots of times,” Allie said. “The Hayes boys are close in age to my brothers.”
“Of course, you’ve been there as a guest,” Ash said, smiling. “I keep forgetting how small this town is.”
“You’ll get used to it,” she told him. “Probably pretty quickly, since it’s so small you can get to know it in less than no time.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” Ash said, eyeing her thoughtfully.
“Hey there, what can I get you to drink?” the waiter,who Allie also knew, said before she could question what Ash was talking about.
“I’d love a hot apple cider, Jon,” Allie said.
“Make it two,” Ash said, nodding.
