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“What have you got there, girl?” Meg asked. She looked at Chet who just shrugged.
His body warmed as Meg narrowed her eyes at him, a smile forming on her face.
She untied the ribbon and opened the note. Out loud she read, “Meg, Chet and I want to invite you to our house for dinner tonight. I promise to be on my best behavior. Love, Dottie.”
Meg pressed her lips together as if to keep from smiling. Was that a good or a bad thing? The look in her eyes said good, but she hadn’t answered so his nerves still rattled.
“Well, Dottie, that is a very sweet invitation. I would love to come for dinner.”
She rubbed Dottie’s head while looking at Chet. “What time should I be there?”
*
Chet moved aroundthe kitchen, grateful to his mother and sisters. Not only had they insisted he learn to dance, but they also made sure he learned to cook. As much as he wanted to take Meg out somewhere, he wanted a quiet place without distractions. Besides, the minute anyone in Silver Bay saw them out together doing anything that looked remotely date-like, it would be all over town and he didn’t want Meg to have to deal with that.
There was a knock at the door and Dottie gave a bark.
Chet made his way to the door. Meg smiled, her hair down in waves like black licorice against her red sweater. Her black jeans hugged her curves. The woman was completely covered, and yet his body responded as if she were standing there in a tight dress with heels.
Sure, he saw her every day in yoga pants, which certainly showed off her figure, but she usually had a longer jacket overtop, her hair in a ponytail, and no makeup. She was beautiful that way, but tonight? With a hint of makeup like the night they danced at Garrett’s, and her hair down, she was stunning.
“Hi. Um. Can I come in?”
Chet blinked and shook his head.Smooth move, Endicott. Ogle her in the doorway while she stands outside.
“Yes! I’m sorry. Yes, please.” He stepped aside and waved his hand for her to come in.
She looked up and around as she entered. “This place is fantastic! I feel like I’ve run all through Silver Bay and yet I’ve never seen this before.”
“Yeah. It’s tucked away a bit, which is one of the reasons I like it.”
Dottie ambled into the room, nudged Meg’s hand with her big nose, and was rewarded with Meg giving her a kiss on the head. Chet had never been so jealous of a dog before.
“I’m just finishing up in the kitchen.”
“Oh! Let me help.” She set her purse on the sofa in the living room and followed him into the kitchen.
“It smells amazing in here.” She eyed the pan that sat on top of the stove. “Is that lasagna?”
“It is.” Chet moved to the counter that held a bottle of wine he’d opened for them. “Would you like a glass?”
“Yes, please. You made lasagna?”
“I did.” He poured wine into both glasses.
“You?” She looked at him incredulously.
He laughed. “What? Are you saying a guy can’t make something as complicated as lasagna?”
She tilted her head. “I’m not sure why I asked. I own a diner where my head chef is a man. You win.”
“I didn’t know we were competing.” He handed her a glass and lifted it for a toast. “To men who cook.”
She touched her glass to his. “I’ll drink to that.”
A quiet settled between them, but it wasn’t awkward. It was an ease similar to what they had when they ran together or when they ate breakfast at the diner. Meg wasn’t the kind of woman who had to fill every moment with words. She was good at just being. He liked that. He liked that a lot.
“I just need to toss the salad and heat up the garlic bread. Sit and talk to me while I do that?” He motioned to a tiny kitchen table with two chairs.
