Grant glanced around. “Both rooms are full tonight.”
“Damn.” Cole lowered his voice. “Any chance we could get our meals to go?”
Grant looked at Aftyn, taking in the set of her shoulders, and seemed to make a decision. “Grab your coats and follow me.”
They slipped through the kitchen, where the staff barely looked up from their stations, pots rattling overhead, the air thick with heat and the smell of something rich on the stove. Grant led them to a small alcove off the back, lit by the amber glow of a backlit wine rack.
“This is where Jessa and I eat when we come in.” He pulled out their chairs. “I’ll let your server know you’re back here.”
Cole shook his hand. “Thanks, Grant.”
“Don’t mention it.” Grant grinned. “I need to get home before my wife sends out a search party.” A friendly nod, and he was gone.
Aftyn sank into her chair and smoothed her dress. “He’s a good man.”
“Told you.” Cole settled across from her. “At least Peterson got to you before your sister did. I’ll give him that much.”
Aftyn turned the edge of her napkin between her fingers. “I want to confront her.”
“I know.” He reached across and touched herhand. “Soon. Just not tonight.”
She let out a slow breath. “Soon.”
“Peterson did good, spotting you like that. Quick thinking.”
“You still don’t like him.”
“No, I don’t. I can usually tell within the first few minutes whether I’m going to like someone, and I rarely change my mind about it.”
She tilted her head. “So, what did you think when you met me?”
He leaned back, considering her with a look that took its time. “I thought you were crazy.”
She laughed. “Fair enough.”
“Then I noticed how beautiful you are.”
“I thought you were incredibly handsome,” she said. “Even angry.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
Their server appeared a few minutes later, plates in hand, the smell of blackened trout and sizzling steak filling the small space.
“Mr. Hunter says dinner is on him tonight.” The server set the dishes down with a smile. “Enjoy.”
“Thank you,” Cole replied.
Aftyn cut a piece of the trout and closed her eyes when it hit her tongue. Smoky, spicy, buttery all at once. She leaned back slowly. “This is phenomenal.”
Cole’s mouth curved as he lifted his fork. “The steak’s something else too.” He let her enjoy a moment before adding, “Dewey’s after this?”
“I’d love that.”
They settled into a comfortable quiet, the kind that didn’t need filling. But her heart was still going. Just beyond these walls her sister was sitting somewhere in that dining room, close enough to touch and still completely out of reach.
Cole’s hand found hers across the table, his thumb moving over her knuckles. “Let it go for tonight. Just be here. Her time’s coming.”
“You’re right.” She exhaled. “I’ll try.”
