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She forced herself to focus on the menu. Every entrée and salad description made her mouth water. To think, she’d been convinced she wasn’t hungry at first. But the aroma of spices in the air combined with what she read on the menu had her stomach grumbling once more. How very ladylike. Good heavens, it hadn’t been that long since she’d enjoyed male companionship. Why was she coming off as such an awkward neophyte?
A white-jacketed waiter took their order within minutes. Clearly, every worker in the restaurant had been made aware that the co-owner was in attendance. Another waiter soon appeared and placed a small glass jug with clear liquid in the center of the table.
Celeste stared at it in confusion. “Is that all the water we’re getting?”
Reid looked up from his menu. “Darling, that’s not water. And if you’re not familiar with it, I would definitely not drink it as if it were.”
It was hard not to react internally to the endearment. Reid hadn’t really meant anything with the affectionate word, but something curled deep in her belly nonetheless.
She figured out what he was getting at as far as the small pitcher was concerned. Greek architecture, Mediterranean cuisine. “It’s ouzo, isn’t it?”
“That it is. I’m guessing you’ve never had it?”
“Never,” she answered. “And I probably shouldn’t start today.”
He nodded. “It’s potent stuff. If you change your mind, start with a really small sip. Or we could have it watered down for you.”
She shook her head. The last thing she needed in his presence was anything else throwing her off balance in any way. She felt enough out of her element as it was.
“I’ll stick to the simple white wine, thanks.”
He ordered her a chardonnay then poured himself a small amount of the ouzo into a shot glass that the waiter returned with. By the time their food arrived, the crisp, fruity wine had done a great deal to smooth her frazzled nerves. Between the disastrous phone call with her mother and the sheer magnitude of Reid’s presence, she found it rather surprising that she was finally starting to relax.
Until Reid brought up the matter of karaoke again.
“I just thought you were a woman open to trying new things.” He was clearly goading her. Unfortunately, she fell for the trap. In a way she was too tipsy to realize she’d quickly regret.
“I am about certain things. See, look.”
Reaching for the remaining sliver of ouzo that sat in the mini pitcher. It was barely more than half a tablespoon. How strong could it be? She downed it in one swift gulp. Then gasped in shock as liquid fire shot through her midsection.
Reid sat staring at her wide-eyed. What had possessed her to do something so reckless? Suddenly, he threw his head back and barked out in laughter. He then gave a mini seated salute.
“I’m gonna need some more water.”
Her belly felt like she’d swallowed a lit match. A rush of heat shot through to her cheeks. The room seemed to have tilted slightly. None of that was particularly funny.
So she wasn’t quite sure why she returned Reid’s laugh with a hearty one of her own.
* * *
Reid had stopped speculating what might have led to the scene he’d come across earlier this evening when he’d found Celeste so forlorn and defeated at the outside pub. But there was no question she seemed to be enjoying herself now. If her wide smile was any indication.
A trove of pleasure blossomed in his chest at the thought that he’d helped put that smile on her face. As they left the restaurant and headed toward the beach, he took the opportunity to study her, the way he had through most of dinner.
She was unlike anyone he’d ever met. How could Jack have ever described her as standoffish and guarded? No doubt she’d tried to present herself that way in response to Jack’s stilted demeanor.
He wished he’d bothered to ask three years ago. Maybe he could have talked some sense into his friend. Then again, he wouldn’t be sitting with her here now if he’d done so. Selfish or not, he didn’t feel sorry that the turn of events had led to this current moment.
“How do you feel?” he asked as they reached the sand.
“Surprisingly all right. But I don’t think I’ll be looking to do any more shots of ouzo this evening. Or ever again,” she added after the slightest pause.
