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ChapterThirteen
Bryson couldn’t believe how nervous he was.It wasn’t like he hadn’t dated his fair share before he’d married Tish and a few ladies in the years since her death, but this—Hadley—was different.
He stared at himself in the mirror and fussed with the button on his shirt.Should he wear a tie?Considering it was summer at the beach, he told himself no, but doubts still reared and made him second-guess his attire.
Hadley was used to a white-collar man, and they wore ties and jackets, knew which fork to use.Not that he didn’t.But only because he’d made a point of googling the question just in case.Outside in, he reminded himself, or wait and watch what others used if he wasn’t certain.
He’d also never been to an art gallery show before and he wasn’t sure of the protocol.Maybe he should’ve googled that instead?
Why had he agreed to this?
When Hadley had asked him to escort her to her friend’s show, he’d automatically agreed, happy to do pretty much anything so long as it meant spending time with her.But now he felt like that country song about wearing boots to a black-tie affair.
Muttering to himself, Bryson pulled out his phone and googled what was probably the silliest question of all.No doubt Google would be laughing, whomever Google was.
He quickly scanned the results of his query and felt a little better about his choice of dress.According to the big G, business casual was fine, especially for such a setting as the beach.
Maybe he should’ve consulted with Hadley first, though?
Bryson shook his head at himself.He was pushing fifty, not a teenage boy about to go on his first date.Enough already.
He left the bedroom carrying his lightweight sports coat and made his way to the kitchen, where he’d placed the hydrangeas he’d picked up on his way home.
The drive from his home along the Intercoastal to Carolina Cove didn’t take long despite the heavy summer traffic, and he was two minutes early when he knocked on Hadley’s door.
Hershey barked like always, but Bryson heard her take a few sniffs from the other side and then settle down.He liked that the dog knew him and seemingly approved.
Hadley opened the door and Bryson caught his breath.She wore a strapless blue dress that hugged her figure to perfection.Short in the front, it fell several inches above her knees.The skirt was longer in the back, and she wore the kind of flat-soled heels that didn’t sink into the sand and showcased her long legs to perfection.“Wow,” he said softly.“You look amazing.”
Hadley blushed and smiled at the compliment.
“Thank you.You cleaned up pretty good yourself,” she said.
“I brought a jacket and tie.I wasn’t sure how fancy this is.”
“You’re perfect just as you are,” Hadley said.
Hershey sat on her haunches and stared up at them, head cocked as she listened to the conversation.“Hey, you,” Bryson said.“Are you going to behave while we’re gone?”
“Of course she will,” Hadley said.“She has proven to be a smart, wonderful dog.I can’t believe how blessed I am to have gotten her.Hershey, come.”
The dog immediately followed Hadley into the kitchen, where Hadley gave the dog a treat and a pat on the head before shutting the gates behind her.
“You be a good girl and watch TV until we get back,” Hadley said.
For the first time since his arrival, Bryson noticed Hadley had the television on a cartoon station for kids.He chuckled softly, wondering if Hershey knew how blessedshewas to have a mama like Hadley.Hershey had won the dog lottery in his opinion.
“I’m ready,” Hadley said.“And I think you’re fine without the jacket and tie.”
“Works for me.”
“Did you get a haircut?”
“Yeah.Your friend Tessa did a good job.”
“She’s fantastic.”
Bryson held the screen door while Hadley locked up.He walked her to his personal truck, glad he’d made the effort to drop it off and get it detailed earlier in the day.
