Anthony turned a little too slowly to stop Eloise from charging over to where Diana was indeed sitting… with a man.
“El, don’t—” he tried, but it was too late.
He hung back, feeling awkward and uncertain as Eloise bounded up to Diana, all smiles. Diana returned the expression, although the man sitting across from her looked less than pleased. Anthony wavered. Would going over there to pull his daughter away make the interruptionmoredisruptive or less? He couldn’t tell.
And it didn’t help that he had felt a teeny, tiny pang of disappointment at seeing Diana out on what was clearly a date. He pushed that thought away, though. He hadn’t come to Magnolia Shore for romance. He had come for a new start for his daughter. And Eloise obviously loved Diana.
The feeling was mutual, if Diana’s expression as she and Eloise chatted was anything to go by.
Anthony’s name was called at the counter, which made Diana turn in his direction. She gave him a little wave as he grabbed the pastries that he and Eloise had ordered and headed for an open table. By the time he had set down the plates, Diana and Eloise were headed in his direction. Eloise slipped her hand easily into Diana’s, which made Diana give the little girl a very fond smile.
“I am so sorry,” he said as soon as she was in earshot, giving her an apologetic wince and holding a hand out to Eloise. Elcrossed to his side easily. “El, honey, we can’t interrupt other people when they’re out and about.”
Eloise looked at him as though she had never heard anyone say something so silly.
“But Ms. Diana said that I should tell her what I think about the book,” she explained, as if her poor father were just a touch dense for not remembering this. “And I really, really, really love it. Jo is my favorite,” she said, beaming up at Diana. “But I love Amy too. And Beth. And Meg is okay, although she talks about boys too much.” Eloise wrinkled her nose, the perfect picture of ten-year-old disgust.
“Jo is also my favorite,” Diana said, smiling down at the girl. “And you should listen to your dad… but this time, you did me a favor.” She glanced up at Anthony and lowered her voice. “I was looking for a good reason to step away from that particular meal.”
“Oh?” Anthony said, trying to sound noncommittal, although he couldn’t resist glancing over at the man she’d been sitting with.
He was scowling now, although Anthony supposed he couldn’t blame the guy. He might have been annoyed too if someone had interrupted his meal with Diana, even if the interruptionhadcome from the cutest little girl on earth. But if you did away with the irritated expression, he looked nice enough. He was perhaps a little younger than Anthony, maybe in his early thirties, and had a respectable, clean-cut look about him. Anthony didn’t find his whole look particularly interesting or appealing… but then again, he was far from an expert in what women found attractive in men. Anthony had really only had one serious relationship, and he’d married her, so it wasn’t like he had tons of dating experience.
“Yeah, when I got here, he had already ordered for us,” Diana commented quietly, grimacing quickly. “Which already isn’t myfavorite move in the world, but he ordered me a blueberry hand pie, and Ihateblueberries.” She looked down at their selections. “Given the choice, I probably would have gone with the strawberry donut. It’samazing.”
“That’s my pick!” Eloise said excitedly, stars in her eyes. She was clearly enamored with Diana.
“Brilliant selection,” Diana told her seriously, making the little girl shimmy in excitement.
Anthony tried not to even think curious thoughts about Diana’s dining partner. Choosing someone’s meal… that meant you were on a date, right? He did not ask. He would not ask. That would be prying, and he simply refused to pry.
Hewascurious though.
Unfortunately, he was not destined to get any further information. Eloise and Diana turned to talking about books, mostly Eloise’s impression of Laurie, who Anthony gathered was the only boy character inLittle Women. Eloise considered this a very strong mark against him, although she admitted that he was good at playing with girls.
“We’ll have to talk again when you’ve finished the book… if that’s all right with your dad,” Diana added, darting a glance at Anthony, who gave her a warm smile and nod. It was clear that Diana and Eloise were bonding, and Anthony wanted Eloise to have women role models, especially now that her mother was no longer with them. “It has been a while since I’ve read the book, so I can’t remember the exact order of events, and I’m afraid of giving spoilers.”
Eloise’s eyes widened in horror. “No spoilers,” she said, nodding so hard it looked like her head might bobble right off her shoulders.
Diana mimed locking her lips and throwing away the key. Despite himself, Anthony found this adorable.
“We’ll reconvene when you’re done,” Diana added with a wink.
Eloise looked as though she might be in love.
In the background, Anthony saw the man who had to be Diana’s date looking pointedly at his watch, then over at them.
“I think Diana has to get back to her, uh, meeting, honey,” he said quietly to Eloise.
In truth, Diana looked almost as disappointed about this as Eloise did.
“Yeah, that’s probably right, I’m afraid,” Diana said, giving Eloise a small, rueful smile. “But we’ll talk again, huh?”
“Okay,” Eloise said, putting in a serious effort to stop the pout that threatened to creep across her face. Anthony ruffled her hair as a distraction, which caused Eloise to turn her expression into a fierce glower. Diana laughed, then waved over her shoulder as she headed back to her table.
“See you at our next meeting,” Anthony called. It was good to remember that he and Diana had a professional relationship… no matter how well she got along with his daughter.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
