“That’s not what’s happening, I promise.” Nat almost believed it herself.
“Prove it! Tell me his name.”
“No, thank you.”
Veronica cocked her head. “It’s that guy you had coffee with. The consultant.” Her eyes went round. “He’s the current guest!”
“You had one job,” Nat protested. “Go find me a dress.”
Veronica dashed out of the bathroom. “You were positively giddy after that first coffee with him,” she hollered over her shoulder.
“Caffeine does that.”
“Disagree.” Veronica returned. “Where is he taking you?
“We’re meeting at Parker’s.”
“Okay.” Her eyes sparkled. “I know just the thing.”
Based on Trent’s reaction when Natalie walked into the restaurant, Veronica had chosen the perfect dress. His intense gaze sent a shimmer of awareness through her. No, she was not imagining the sparks of attraction arcing between them.
Trent’s obvious interest was the perfect remedy for the stone that had been lodged in her stomach since Roni’s mention of Jackson. In its place, a flock of butterflies were diving and wheeling and filling her with the happiest sense of anticipation.
“You look amazing,” he said, standing as she approached the table.
“Right back at ya.” She fanned herself as she admired him. In his dark slacks and an ivory cotton sweater that hugged his broad shoulders, she was confident he’d star in tonight’s dreams as well. Curiosity about what might happen after dinner surged through her. She dragged her gaze away from him. “You scored the best table in the house.” The view over the marsh would be stunning as the sun went down.
“Glad I won’t be here alone.” He pulled out her chair. “I worried all day you would cancel,” he admitted as she sat down.
“Well, if I had, it would’ve been my loss.” She felt heat creeping into her cheeks. “Granted, I’ve forgotten to show up more than once. Hence my new habit of setting alarms.”
“However you got here, thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” She smiled. “You’ve been on my mind all day.” Though she was tempted, she managed not to tell him he’d been in her dreams as well. It had taken a long time to learn to temper herself. She’d been frequently accused of oversharing and generally being “too much”. The only place that didn’t happen was her art. Or, more accurately, the accusations of being too creative didn’t bother her in that aspect of her life.
“All day?” Trent’s eyebrows lifted and a smile teased his lips. “That’s good to know.”
“Isn’t it?” She leaned forward. “But is it mutual?” Quickly she waved off the query. “Relax. I’m just teasing,” she said, letting him off the hook. And being nice to herself too. She didn’t want him to feel pressured into giving compliments he might not mean. “You’ve lost that frustrated furrow.” She tapped the spot above her own nose. “Does that mean you’ve made some progress with whatever you’re working on?”
“I feel like I took a step in the right direction,” he said.
The man intrigued her—so cautious and circumspect. She hoped it was about his job instead of any lingering rumors about her carefree and flighty ways. “Do you need any local input or insider information?”
“That would actually be helpful,” he replied. “Your tourist suggestions were spot on. And I’m pretty sure having Parker’s cook my fresh catch is pure gold.”
“I’m glad.” The praise warmed her. “Parker’s never disappoints. And you’ll definitely see gold when the sun sets over the marsh.”
Their server came by with a basket of hushpuppies, a side of honey butter, and a bright smile. After she left with their drink order, Natalie invited him to bring on the questions.
Trent paused, apparently gathering his thoughts. “I’d like to know what you love about living here. From what I’ve heard, you didn’t grow up here.”
“Been checking up on me?”
He shrugged. “I believe in being prepared. It’s a habit that started long before I joined the Guardian Agency.” He rested his forearms on the table and leaned close, lowering his voice. “My primary source is Jess, so you don’t need to worry that I’ve been surveying the community at large.”
She laughed. “No worries. If anyone can be circumspect, it’s Jess. And Nina.”
“Nina, her sister-in-law?”
