“Like tuna and swordfish?”
She nodded. “To be honest, all the ones that are off limits are my least favorites, so it’s easy to abide by that rule. Caffeine and lunch meat are more difficult.”
“I appreciate the care you’re taking for our baby.” He grinned. “Here’s a deal—the day you give birth, I’ll run out and get you everything you want that’s been on the no-no list.”
Laughing, she held out a hand. “It’s a deal.”
They shook on it, and he returned his attention to the menu. “Hmm, steak or seafood?”
Her eyes twinkled. “How about the rib eye with crab meat on top?”
“I like the way you think.”
“Ooh, they also have a steak topped with shrimp scampi.” She laid her menu aside. “That’s what I’m getting, and I’m not looking anymore, or I’ll keep changing my mind because it all sounds tempting.”
He debated between the salmon Oscar and porterhouse topped with his choice of seafood. When their waitress approached, he gave their appetizer order, plus Sybil’s meal choice. “If you had to choose, would you get the salmon Oscar or porterhouse with stuffed butterfly shrimp?”
“That’s easy.” The waitress’s eyes lit up. “Both are great choices, but out stuffed butterfly shrimp are award-winning. Five years in a row, they’ve been voted the best on the crystal coast.”
“That’s what I’ll take, then.” He handed her the menu. “Thank you.”
“Have you ever been crabbing?” Sybil asked out of the blue, a few minutes later after their drinks and a bowl of yeast rolls had arrived.
He chuckled at the randomness. “Wyoming doesn’t offer any spots for that.”
“You’ve been in North Carolina ten years, haven’t you?”
“I feel old when you put it that way.”
“Watch it, Buster. You’re only a year and a few months older than me.” She fluttered her lashes and sipped her water.
“I didn’t say Iamold, only that Ifeltold. Big difference.” He shot her a smug grin. “Have you been?”
“Not in years. My mom took me a few times when I was little.” She stared over his shoulder, her gaze fixed on the horizon. “Those are some of the rare happy memories that I have.”
His heart went out to her. Kids should be protected, not drawn into their parents’ drama. “Did you catch any?”
“Some.” A bittersweet smile replaced her frown of seconds earlier, and she nodded in the direction of the patio door. “Speaking of crabs, here comes our dip.”
They fell into silence while they ate, making small comments occasionally that revolved around their meals. What conversation they had remained light and unintimidating. They declined dessert, he left a generous tip with payment, and then they walked down the wooden steps to the pier.
It jutted thirty feet into the water and had several benches. The sun had disappeared and now the moon danced on the water. A cool breeze blew in from the river, setting a subtle chill against his skin.
“Tonight’s been perfect.” Sybil sat on a bench and pulled her jacket closed. “Thank you.”
“Thanks for saying yes.” He lowered himself to sit beside her. Their arms brushed against each other.
The location was perfect. The setting ideal.
Was it the right time?
He changed his position so he could look directly at her. “We get along well.”
An odd expression colored her face. “Yes. A pleasant surprise, right?”
“Yes.” He chuckled nervously. “I’ve been thinking about something.”
“What?” she asked with a wary tone.
