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Ian rolled his eyes as he sat down. “I can't imagine you retiring, Sherry.”
“I don't work as much as I used to, young man. My daughter runs this whole place. I just show up and occasionally act like I'm working,” she teased.
At that moment, someone called her name. “Speaking of. She must need me for something. I love to feel needed. Make sure to get something good, and if you need anything, just wave me down. I'll come help.”
“I'm sure we'll be fine. It's good to see you, Sherry,” I replied.
“Oh, don't worry, dear. You'll see me again.” She hurried off, and I spread a cloth napkin on my lap and opened the menu.
This setting felt downright romantic, which didn't fit with my plans. The last time I'd been here, this restaurant had more of a casual family vibe. Now, it felt elegant. Candles sat atop the tables, and the crisp white cloth napkins matched the tablecloths. Everything had been renovated. The hardwood floors gleamed under the dim lighting, and the low hum of voices surrounded us.
Proposing to Ian that he take care of my virginity like it was a business matter in a casual restaurant had seemed easier than this. I didnotwant to lend a romantic vibe to it.
I told myself it was just the setting, nothing more. Lifting my eyes to his, I looked away quickly, scanning the space. “They must have shut down to do these renovations.”
“I know. I wasn't here when they happened, but I heard they did.”
Even the worn old wide-plank flooring had been refinished to a glossy sheen. Before, the wall that faced Haven’s Bay had one or two windows. Now, the entire wall was windows, and it felt as if we were seated on the edge of the ocean. The moonlight shimmered on the water, the surface rippling under the lingering breeze from the snowstorm that had passed hours earlier.
“It's really nice,” I said when my eyes finally made their way back to his. I forced myself to hold his gaze and not shy away like a nervous pony. “Good call to make reservations,” I added. Seeing as the restaurant was at capacity, we’d have had to wait without them.
His teeth flashed with his grin. “I like to plan.”
“So, Shelly must still live in town then,” I commented, immediately berating myself for mentioning her. There was no point.
“I wouldn’t know. Haven't seen her in years, probably not since high school.”
“Do you stay in touch?” There I went, being curious again.
He arched a brow, his look sardonic. “No. If I did, I would know if she lived in town.”
I felt my lips purse and was instantly annoyed with myself. I didn't need to scold him. “Didn't you date her in high school?”
As soon as I asked that question, I berated myself. That question was born from my insecurities.
Ian shook his head. “I did not. Should I ask who you dated in high school?” he countered pointedly.
“No, because I didn't date anyone,” I snapped.
His piercing eyes searched mine, and I shifted my legs uncomfortably, but I didn't break away. “You had your priorities straight.”
“What do you mean?”
“Guys are kind of dumb in high school. You realize after the fact that other things are more important than having fun.”
“You seem like you're doing all right, and I think you had fun in high school,” I offered.
Our conversation paused when a server arrived. I ordered a glass of red wine because I needed to calm the hell down and take the edge off my nerves. Ian ordered a scotch. The server reeled off a list of specials and then handed us the menus. After he left, Ian glanced over at me, commenting, “I didn't catch all of that.”
“Me neither, but everything sounded good.”
He chuckled. “Everything is good.”
We perused our menus, and I settled on my order quickly. I couldn't resist one of the specials—sauteed scallops with a maple glaze, risotto, and seared vegetables.
Ian surprised me when he picked up the thread of our conversation. “I didn't have my priorities straight. As you recall, our dad was an asshole, and he was worse with my brothers and me than with Thea. School was an escape for me, and I liked having fun because it was the only thing that made life bearable. I had to scramble afterward. My grades had been so-so, and I didn't want to work for my dad. I knew I wanted to go into finance.”
“You knew that right off?” I prompted.
