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“Does that mean you’re not going to reciprocate?”
“On the same level? Sure.” Roger leaned back in his chair as though in deep thought. Then a wicked grin crossed his gorgeous face as he declared, “I have a library book I never returned. And worse than that, they revoked my library privileges.”
Gia laughed. “Good thing mine wasn’t, otherwise we might not have figured out where that photo was taken.”
“And now you know why I needed you,” Roger said with a wink.
I don’t think you need me at all. She was glad he pretended like he did, though.
“Are you ready for that walk I promised,” Roger asked. He was tired of sharing her with other patrons. The beach was more . . . private.
“Sounds good.”
Roger called the waitress over and whispered a request. She nodded and returned with a chilled bottle of wine and two glasses. He handed her a hundred dollar bill and turned back to Gia. “In case we get thirsty along the way.”
“Too bad you didn’t bring a blanket,” Gia teased.
With the wine bottle and glasses in one hand, he reached into the back of the Jeep and pulled out a checkered blanket. “I believe in being prepared for anything.”
Gia asked, “Should I be worried?”
“Only if the weatherman was right.”
“Why?”
“He said it was going to rain tonight.” They both looked up at the starry sky.
“But remember, this is New England,” Gia responded.
“What does that mean?” Roger asked.
“It means wait five minutes and the weather will change.”
Roger looked up again. Not a cloud in sight. “I’m willing to take the risk if you are.”
Gia took the blanket from him and said, “A little rain never hurt anyone.”
That’s the spirit.
He led them over a rocky barrier and down to a secluded part of the beach. “This is it.”
Gia opened the blanket and they sat down. Roger pulled out a Swiss army pocket knife and removed the cork. Pouring two glasses, he handed her one.
“What shall we toast to?” Gia asked.
Your beautiful eyes. Maybe your smile. Or that quirky laugh I love listening to.“Your new job?”
She shot him a warning look. “You know I haven’t heard back yet.”
“But I have. Spoke to Brice today, and he was as impressed as I was.” More than likely it was for different reasons.
“That doesn’t mean I have the job. Or if there is one available,” she said firmly.
“Gia, if I wasn’t positive, I wouldn’t say it. I wouldn’t set you up to be let down.” That was why he was trying like hell to keep his distance with her. This was something casual. Not like they were hopping into bed or something. Just wine and the stars. Nothing more.
She either decided to believe him or stop arguing, but she raised her glass to his and said, “To the Hendersons.”
That wasn’t exactly the toast he meant, but he clicked his glass with hers. Roger never drank wine and would’ve preferred a cold beer. He was trying to give her what he thought she might enjoy. But she took a sip and by the wrinkle of her nose, she wasn’t enjoying it either.
