“Not exactly.”
“Zach, I’ve known you all my life.” Ollie’s voice lifted. “There’s something you’re not telling me.”
“Fine. I’m taking Ava on a date, and I thought we could start at your bookstore.”
“A date?” Zach was pretty sure they could hear his brother’s crow over in Port Joseph. “Iknewyou liked that girl.”
Zach finished his hair and smiled at his reflection in the mirror. It came out more like a wince. “She’s pretty, she’s kind, she’s hardworking, and she has a razor-sharp wit. What’s not to like?”
“You’re playing it casual, but I know how weird this must be for you. You said yourself that Ava was the one who wrote that critical review of your restaurant all those years ago.”
“She actually apologized for that. I forgave her. Am forgiving her.” Zach put both of his hands on the bathroom sink. The cool porcelain anchored his hands from running them through his freshly combed hair. “I don’t really know the semantics, but I’m trying to move past that. Ava is a cool woman, and I want to get to know her better.”
“I’m proud of you. Forgiveness like that isn’t easy. I definitely think this is a good cause. I’ll hang out until you get here.”
“Thanks, brother.”
As Ollie was hanging up, Zach heard him holler. “Eliza, turn on the romantic lighting and mood music—my brother’s bringing a date.”
Zach’s smile stayed firmly in place across town, through the lobby of the Grand, and all the way until he knocked on Ava’s door. She opened it, and his breath caught. Ava’s lavender sundress nipped in at the waist, then flowed out and skimmed the middle of her shins. She’d topped it with a light-gray sweater thing. A little gray purse hung over one arm.
“Wow.” His heart beat double-time.
“I hope that’s a good wow.” A line appeared on Ava’s brow.
“Definitely a good wow. You look amazing.” Zach held out his hand. Ava took it, and he led her out into the hall before coaxing her into a spin. “My sisters would approve of the twirl on that dress.”
“Every girly girl loves a good twirly dress.” Ava squeezed his hand. “You clean up nice yourself. I always like your chef’s whites, but that shirt is doing all kinds of good things to your eyes.” Ava’s eyes sparkled. Adorable. “What do you have planned for us tonight?”
“Are you always this impatient?” They walked down the stairs and out the door. The early evening sunlight still warmed the air.
“What? I can’t ask what you have planned?” She put a hand to her hip.
“Maybe you could extend a little trust. Weren’t you listening to the pastor at the park?”
She barked a laugh. “Fine. I’ll trust you.”
His heart soared, a lightness flooding him at the unexpected words.
“First stop, the Island Bookstore.”
“Oh, I love a good bookstore. That’s the one your brother owns?”
“Yep. The only one on the island. He’s keeping it open for us, so we’d better leg it over there.” He glanced down at her feet. “Will those shoes be okay for walking?”
She looked down. “They should be fine for tonight. I knew about the no-vehicles thing here on Jonathon Island, so I tried to only pack my most comfortable shoes.”
“Shoes, plural? How many did you bring?”
“None of your business.”
Their chat carried them through the grounds of the hotel and down to Main Street.
“Ollie’s store is on the other end of the main drag.” Zach dropped Ava’s hand. Walking down Main with Ava was one thing, but holding hands felt too exposed.
“Oh, good. That’ll give me a chance to take a few snaps for my newspaper article.”
As they passed Kelley’s Bar & Grill, a scruffy Jack Russell terrier ran out from between the buildings. He stopped in front of them and sat on his haunches, tipping his head to the side.
