“Well, I’m throwing in my man card and trying the Gator Tail Stout.” He signaled a server passing by and ordered two beers, then glanced at Mia. “What about appetizers?”
“Tonight’s specials are pretzel bites with beer cheese or, if you want something lighter, grilled shrimp skewers,” the server replied.
“Let’s do one of each.”
Mia smiled. “Perfect.”
The server left, and the band kicked into an upbeat rhythm. A couple nearby jumped up to dance. Mia glanced toward the dance floor. “I like that dancing feels optional.”
“Exactly,” he said, lifting his glass in a mock toast. “Low pressure.”
The sound filled the room without being overwhelming so they could talk over it.
Caleb leaned back. “So. This week busy?”
“You have no idea. I have another event coming up, then a tasting for a wedding. There’re always last-minute changes. It gets kind of crazy sometimes.”
“You love it,” he stated.
She met his gaze. “I do. I’ve always loved to cook, and to be able to earn a living cooking is pretty cool.”
The appetizers arrived hot and fragrant, and when the beers followed a moment later, they finally raised their glasses for real this time.
“Oh my,” she exclaimed, dipping the pretzel into the beer cheese. “This is yummy, although if I ate this every day, I wouldn’t fit through the door.”
“That’s why they have music,” Caleb said. “Keeps people moving.”
“Well, it looks like everyone is having fun on the dance floor.”
“Don’t feel you have to dance.” Caleb followed her gaze. “But it’s an option.”
Mia considered it for a moment. The music, the lights, the laughter and the pull of the man across from her.
“Maybe a slow song,” she said.
He gave her a soft smile. “Deal.”
So far,the evening had been everything Caleb had hoped for. Good food, easy conversation, a beautiful woman across from him, and the possibility of holding her in his arms. Because they were definitely dancing. Sooner rather than later.
He hadn’t been on a date in a while, but even he knew that she was interested. The way she leaned in when he talked. The way her smile lingered just a second longer than polite. Still, he was going to take it slow. Enjoy their drinks, the food, the music and when that slow song came on … he’d ask. No overthinking it. No more ignoring what he wanted.
“Caleb?”
Her voice startled him. Here he was planning the rest of the night, and Mia had asked him a question.
“I’m sorry. What?”
Mia smirked. “I was wondering how you got into construction.”
“Oh.” He smiled, grateful for an easy answer. “My parents had a construction company. As I grew older, they let me help more. Weekends, summers, any excuse to put tools in my hands.”
“Around here?”
He shook his head. “No. In Vermont. My family’s still in Beaver Creek. Not full-time in construction anymore, but they love it there.”
“Brrrr. It must get chilly in the winter.”
Caleb laughed. “I forgot you’re a Florida girl. Although you did work in New York City for a while. It gets cold there, too.”
