With Andy staying at a friend’s house for the night to celebrate the end of the school year, she had no excuse to back out. No distraction to hide behind, even if she could convince herself she wanted one. In preparation for the evening, she put on a simple navy dress she hadn’t worn in years, a touch of mascara, and the silver pendant her mother once wore. She pressed it lightly with her fingers, whispering a quick plea for courage, then slipped on her sandals and grabbed her small clutch just as his truck pulled into the drive.
When she opened the back door, Brian was halfway up the stairs, wearing dark slacks, loafers, and a crisp blue button-down, with the sleeves rolled casually to his forearms. Not overdressed, but different enough from his usual uniform that her heart tripped. He looked up, caught sight of her, and for a moment, something flickered in his eyes—something she couldn’t name, but it settled deep within her.
“Wow, you look beautiful. Are you ready to go?” he asked, and the husk in his voice told her she wasn’t the only one feeling it.
The drive passed quickly, conversation circling safe ground—Andy’s first day at the hardware store, a case Brian had to keep vague, and the start of summer tourists and part-time residents descending on Whisper. And then, as the truck turned off Main Street, Tess saw the warm glow of lights strung alongthe porch of a sprawling Victorian home that was clearly a business. On one side, a single-floor extension jutted out, its wide windows shining warm and bright, revealing candlelit tables and the comfortable bustle of people dining inside. Above the porch, a wooden sign swung gently in the sea breeze—Cranberry Inn.
“Have you ever eaten here before?” He slowed and put on the blinker to make a left into the parking lot.
“No, I haven’t. I don’t come to the Outer Banks much anymore—not since my parents died. Over the past few days, I realized how much I’ve missed visiting the beach and all the little towns. I’ve noticed a bunch of shops that I want to check out this weekend.” The town itself was nothing if not quaint—pedestrian-friendly, with bike racks tucked along nearly every corner, and plenty of eateries with outdoor seating.
“Make sure you go into Petals—that’s Bonnie’s boutique. Women’s clothes and stuff.”
“She told me to stop by. I might go tomorrow.”
He hitched a thumb toward the Cranberry Inn. “This place is a bed-and-breakfast, but the restaurant’s open to the public in the evenings. I haven’t been here in a while, but the food’s always been great.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Since it was a Friday night after Memorial Day, the place was packed, but Brian found a lone spot, got out, and then rounded the truck to open her door—something so simple, but it set her pulse racing. Together, they climbed the wide porch steps and stepped insideto the soft hum of conversation, the faint scent of rosemary and wine in the air, and the kind of cozy elegance that made her feel both out of place and utterly welcome all at once.
This wasn’t takeout containers or sandwiches at her kitchen table. This was… something else. Something that scared her as much as it thrilled her.
The hostess guided them through the main dining room. Almost every table was taken—no surprise—but the atmosphere stayed hushed, most conversations drifting in low voices. Soft lamplight glowed over patterned carpet in deep red, gold, and green, echoing the striped chairs and ivory-draped tables. Small centerpieces of roses, ferns, and baby’s breath gave each setting a touch of romance against the cranberry-painted walls and ivory trim. Tess couldn’t remember the last time she’d been anywhere that was both welcoming and refined at once.
Brian’s hand brushed lightly against the small of her back as he guided her toward their table by the window, and she tried not to read too much into it. Still, her skin tingled where his fingers had been, and she had to remind herself to breathe as she slipped into her chair that he held out for her.
Once the hostess handed them their menus and left, a smartly dressed male server approached and refilled their water glasses. “Can I get you anything from the bar?”
As he picked up the wine menu, Brian eyed Tess. “They have a really nice pinot noir, if you’re interested. If not?—”
“No, that sounds wonderful. I love pinot noir.”
He pointed to the listing and showed the server, who nodded. “Very good choice, sir. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Thank you.” After the man left, Brian leaned back in his chair, studying Tess with an intensity that made her want to squirm. “I wasn’t sure you’d say yes,” he said.
Confused, she furrowed her brow. “To the wine?”
A wry chuckle erupted from him. “No. To dinner.”
Trying to relax, she traced a fingertip along the folded edge of her napkin. “Why wouldn’t I?”
He gave a half smile that didn’t quite hide the seriousness in his eyes. “Because you’ve got plenty on your plate. And because I’ve probably been sending mixed signals.”
Her lips curved before she could stop them. “You mean you noticed that you’ve been sending them?”
“Yeah.” He rubbed the back of his neck, looking less like the confident agent she knew and more like a man fumbling through unfamiliar territory. “I don’t want you thinking I’m… taking advantage of your situation. And, the truth is, I’m not great at this. You deserve someone better than a guy who doesn’t do relationships.”
Her heart softened, even as it skipped at the honesty in his voice. “Maybe I deserve a pleasantdinner with someone who makes me laugh and was nice enough to give me and my brother a place to stay in our time of need. Relationships haven’t been my thing either, Brian.”
“You’ve had a lot on your plate,” he repeated.
“I have—still do. But there’s nothing wrong with us becoming friends and enjoying some time together, is there?”
That earned her a real smile, slow and warm, and she had to glance down at her menu to steady herself. After a moment, she looked around the crowded restaurant. “How’d you manage to get a reservation for tonight? I thought once the holiday hit, it was nearly impossible to snag one anywhere around here at the last minute on the weekends.”
He winked at her. “It is. But Bonnie and Dan are friends with the owner, so I called in a favor. He always keeps one or two tables open for special guests.”
