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Noah sat in his pickup in front of the restaurant when I pulled up, the engine running. When he saw me, he cut the motor and climbed out, his large frame blocking my passenger window before he leaned down and smiled. His instant lazy humor patted out any residual feeling of unease.
He trotted around to the driver’s side, and offered me an arm when I opened the door. I jerked up an eyebrow in surprise, and he just shrugged. “I’m trying for any points I can gain here, you know? I figure I might still be in the hole from way back when.”
“Why does it matter so much to you? Especially now?” Curious, I looked up at him. I was pretty damned sure he’d moved beyond that night, at least from a sex point of view.
He sighed a plume of warm breath in the chilly air. “To be honest, I’m not sure. It was such a long time ago. But when I heard you were home, I got this itch to, I dunno, I guess make it right, maybe? Besides, I’ve changed a lot. I’m not that naïve kid anymore. I’m sure you have as well.”
“True enough.” I decided to take the re-offered arm, and we wandered into the cozy restaurant. Maureen Ngam, the co-owner approached us, smiling brightly. She guided us to a corner booth toward the back, passing by just a handful of other patrons and a full wall mural depicting beautiful scenery and landmarks from Thailand. Going to Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai was on my to-do list for the following year. At least, thathadbeen the plan.
Noah plopped down opposite me. “You okay?”
“Sure. Why?”
“You just looked a little spooked when you pulled up, that’s all.”
I didn’t think I was all that transparent. Maybe there was some part of him who could still read my moods. In the past, he’d been pretty intuitive, almost annoyingly so. “Um, just had a blow out on Central. It kind of threw me off, that’s all.”
“Oh, wow. I’m sorry.” He frowned, reached across the table, almost touched my hand, then seemed to think better of it. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
“Old tires?”
“No.” I scowled. I’d just replaced them less than 2000 miles ago. Fortunately, I had a full-size spare, but I was going to need to get the other one patched, or replaced ASAP.
“Did you hit something?”
“Maybe. I don’t know. I guess.”
“Strange. You know, as well as I do, that they tend to be … fastidious around here. I can’t imagine anyone noticing a problem and not reporting it.” He frowned. “Maybe I’ll take a drive out … where on Central?”
I told him. “But I think you’re making too much of this. Stuff happens. Tires pop. I’m just glad I was creeping.”
He nodded and smiled up at Mrs. Ngam when she brought over glasses of water.
“Two minutes and I’ll be back to see what you two would like tonight, or are you ready now?” The older woman held no notepad, having always counted on a sharp memory for as long as I could remember.
We ordered without looking at the menu and she zoomed off. I guess it went both ways.
Noah entwined his fingers before him and leaned forward. He’d nixed the tie and was back to flannel over a Pink Floyd t-shirt and jeans, his hair wavy with the weather. I could detect the same touch of woodsiness from before, and inhaled a little deeper before realizing it. He’d gone from adorable to adorableandsexy. It was a weird combination, but I liked it.
Not that it should have mattered.
“I’m sorry again about last time. I didn’t expect our dinner to be interrupted by a troop of baboons.”
“That makes two of us.” I chuckled. “You wasted your tie and formal button down.”
“Is that a problem?” He stared into my eyes, his mouth twitching to one side. I could swear he was laughing without actually performing the action.
“No. Not at all.”
“Good. I’ve never been the formal sort. But you already knew that.”
“Okay. Radio station. How did this come to be?” This time, I leaned forward, my curiosity genuine. “Seems an odd place to start one.”
“Not if you’re happy to be home and enjoy the island’s camaraderie. I found it to be the best way to reach people, without actually having to talk to them all the damned time. You know what I mean? Or, at least, when I do, it’s on my terms.”
I did know, but waited. Therehadto be more. When he didn’t say anything, I cleared my throat. “Well, that was enlightening.”
