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Hayden walked with Lana along the strip. Their fishing excursion had been a blast, and she’d even snuggled into him—twice—as they had skimmed over the water. It was just like old times. But the boat had docked and now it was late afternoon, and he feared the magic would end. He wasn’t ready to go back to reality just yet.
“Are you hungry? Something smells amazing and it’s making my mouth water.”
“Starved.” She pointed to a restaurant at the end of the block that read, The Shrimp Next Door. “I think you’re smelling the grilled fish from that place.”
“Ooh, let’s go.”
Lana looked down at her t-shirt and sweats. “I don’t think I’m dressed for eating at a place like that.”
Crud. Had she been self-conscious about wearing his clothes, and he hadn’t picked up on it? He scanned the block for a department store, but there wasn’t anything except a small consignment shop that looked like it specialized in vintage outfits. He took a chance and motioned to it. “Do you want to check in there? They might have a dress you’d like.”
Lana grinned. “That actually looks really cool. Let’s go see what they have.”
Thirty minutes later, Lana left the consignment shop wearing a green sixties-style suit dress that even Jackie O would be jealous of. Lana looked amazing in it, and she wouldn’t stop gushing about how cute it was. They’d purchased a matching pair of heels and white gloves to finish off the look.
“Now you have to take me out to eat. I can’t waste an adorable outfit like this.”
“Of course.” On impulse he grabbed her hand, and she didn’t pull away, which made his spirits soar.
They entered the restaurant and were seated in the back by a large window overlooking the water. He picked up the menu but couldn’t concentrate on it. Lana was across from him, and it felt like things were finally right in the world. They were together again. At least, for right now.
He sipped his water and stared at her, unable to believe she was there, with him. Things had changed between them. He didn’t know exactly what he’d done, or how he’d done it, he just knew he was happier than he had been for the last five years.
She glanced at him over her menu, then did a double-take. “What?”
Oops. Busted. He forced his gaze down to the menu. “Nothing. Just thinking we’ve had a nice day today.” Lie. He was totally crushing on her right now.
“It has been nice.”
They ordered their food, and Hayden settled back into his chair. He didn’t want to mess this night up. If he could just say the right thing, or do the right thing, maybe he could undo the mistake he’d made all those years ago.
Mistake. This was the first time he’d allowed himself to think that breaking up with Lana had been a mistake. At the time, he’d done it for her. For her career. But now, things were getting muddled. A bit of negative publicity had made him turn tail and run. But what if he had stuck it out? Stayed with Lana and let the publicity die down?
His throat grew dry, and he gulped more water down.
“What’s wrong?” Lana frowned.
Just what he needed, Lana picking up on his thoughts. He shook his head. “Nothing.”
“Not nothing. Something. You’re acting funny.”
Time to deflect. “Do you remember that breakfast place we used to go to? The one with the amazing cream cheese spread, and those stools that looked like they were from the twenties?”
She smiled. “The Bigger Bagel?”
“Yes!” He pointed to her. “That’s it. I loved that place.” He tried to think of something else to say about it, but nothing came to mind.
Lana tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked down at the table. “That’s where you asked me out for the first time.”
“It was?” He blinked. That couldn’t be right. He asked her to go to breakfast with him. That’s how they ended up there in the first place. Unless, she thought it was just a friend thing. Man, he could not figure women out.
“Yes. We went to the dinner theater, remember?”
Of course, he remembered. That was the date where he knew Lana was the one. Somewhere between the dinner rolls and the crème brûlèe, he fell in love with her. He’d fallen for her infectious laugh, the way she smiled like she knew a secret, and the way she made him feel like he was the only person in the room. Yes, he remembered that night. It was the night he’d given his heart to her. His pulse quickened and he nodded, because he couldn’t speak.
The server interrupted them, which was good, because he was about to make a fool of himself. He collected his emotions as the server placed their food on the table. Lana had ordered the salmon, and he’d ordered the shrimp. Both looked amazing and smelled even better. He dipped one of his shrimp in the creamy sauce. “I noticed you’ve gotten involved with Habitat for Humanity.”
Lana nodded. “Yes, I did a photo shoot with them, and shot a couple of commercials. It’s a great organization. I’m thrilled to see them helping people get homes.”
