Harper bit her lower lip, hesitation clear in her amber eyes. "I don't know," she said slowly, her brow furrowing slightly. "I was hoping to get to sleep before midnight. Caffeine this late, even though it's barely evening, might keep me up."
The waitress, offered another option. "If I may suggest," she interjected smoothly, "we have an excellent limoncello. It's an Italian aperitif that also serves as a digestif. It's kind of a two-in-one – an after-dinner drink and a dessert rolled into one. We serve it chilled, and it's meant to be sipped slowly and savored."
Nathan's eyebrows arched with genuine interest, his warm brown eyes sparkling as he turned to Harper. "That sounds intriguing," he mused, a hint of excitement in his voice. "I've heard of limoncello, but never knew exactly what it was. What do you think? Want to give it a try? It could be a delightful new experience for both of us."
Harper's amber eyes lit up with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation, her earlier hesitation melting away. She tucked a strand of foxy-red hair behind her ear, considering the option. "You know, that does sound nice," she agreed, nodding with growing enthusiasm. "I've never had limoncello before, either. It's always fun to try something new, especially with good company." A shy smile played at the corners of her lips as she added, "Let's do it. Who knows? We might discover a new favorite."
"Excellent choice," the waitress beamed. "I'll bring that right out for you both."
The waitress returned moments later, carrying a small tray with two delicate glasses filled with a pale yellow liquid. She set them down carefully in front of Harper and Nathan, the chilled glasses already beading with condensation.
"Enjoy your limoncello," she said with a warm smile before retreating to give them privacy.
Harper lifted her glass, eyeing the golden liquid curiously. She brought it to her lips, inhaling the bright, citrusy aroma before taking a cautious sip. Her eyes widened in surprise and delight.
"Oh, wow," she exclaimed softly, savoring the taste. "It's like... a thick lemonade, but so much sweeter. And there's no tartness at all." She took another sip, feeling the warmth spread through her chest as she swallowed. "It's kind of warm going down, too. It's lovely."
Nathan nodded in agreement "It's delicious," he agreed, his voice low and appreciative.
Harper leaned in closer, her amber eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief as her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "Reyna likes it too," she confided. A look of slight confusion crossed her face, her brow furrowing as she processed an unexpected commentary from her alter ego. "She says... it's like being in her den?" Harper paused, tilting her head to one side as she considered the peculiar comment. "That's a bit odd, isn't it?" she mused, her freckled nose wrinkling in puzzlement. The warmth of the limoncello lingered on her tongue, mingling with the newfound coziness that seemed to envelop her from within.
Nathan's brow furrowed slightly, but a smile played at the corners of his mouth. "That is a bit strange," he agreed, his voice equally soft. "But I suppose if Reyna's happy, that's a good thing, right?"
Harper nodded, taking another sip of the limoncello. The warmth spread through her, a sense of contentment settling over her. It was a good feeling, knowing that both she and Reyna were enjoying this moment. She couldn't quite explain the connection between the sweet, citrusy drink and a fox's den, but the overall sensation was pleasant and comforting.
As they continued to sip their drinks, Harper found herself relaxing more, the earlier tension from discussing her work problems melting away. The limoncello seemed to create a bubble of warmth and contentment around them, making the rest of the restaurant fade into the background.
Harper set down her empty glass, a pleasant warmth spreading through her limbs. The evening had flown by, and exhaustion from her busy day was starting to creep in. Between apartment hunting, car shopping, and this wonderful dinner with Nathan, she'd barely had a moment to catch her breath.
"I should probably head back to the inn," she said reluctantly, stifling a yawn behind her hand. "It's been quite a day."
Nathan nodded, his brown eyes soft with understanding. "Of course. Let me walk you to your car."
Outside, the evening air had cooled, carrying the sweet scent of blooming jasmine. Harper's new Mustang gleamed under the streetlights, its cherry-red paint still pristine and perfect.
"That is a beautiful car," Nathan said, admiring the sleek lines. "You chose well."
"Thanks." Harper fumbled in her purse for her keys, suddenly shy. The evening had been magical, and she didn't want it to end. But exhaustion tugged at her edges, and she knew she needed rest.
"I have to be at the music school all day tomorrow," Nathan said, running a hand through his sandy hair. "It's open enrollment, so it'll be chaos. But... maybe we could text?"
Harper's heart fluttered. "I'd like that," she said softly. "A lot."
They stood there for a moment, the silence comfortable between them. Finally, Nathan leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek. "Goodnight, Harper," he whispered, his breath warm against her skin.
"Goodnight, Nathan," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Inside her, Reyna gave a contented sigh.Good mate,the fox approved drowsily.
Harper slid into her car, watching in the rearview mirror as Nathan walked to his own vehicle. Her cheek still tingled where he'd kissed her, and despite her exhaustion, she couldn't stop smiling all the way back to the inn.
Chapter 13
Monday morning,she headed to the bank in renewed spirits, refreshed by the fun and comradery of the weekend. Mindful of Jake's warning about potential sabotage of her car, she arrived early, and parked her (new) car in a spot close to the staff door, noting it was in direct view of the security camera. Sliding her purse strap over her shoulder and exiting the car, she frowned down at her purse. It seemed oddly heavy. Wow, she must be more sleepy than she thought. She'd driven through Starbucks on her way to work, but hadn't taken the time to drink any of the hot beverage yet.
The security guard on duty by the door, with a clear view of the parking lot, nodded to her as she approached.
"Morning, Miz O'Neill."
