Page 78 of Until Then

With a smile, he takes my hand again. There’s a lightness to his step now, like a weight he’s been carrying is gone. It hurts a little, that he thinks I’d want to keep him as a dirty secret. But it’s hard not to appreciate his thoughtfulness.

Tomorrow, I’ll tell my sister.

Hopefully before someone else does.

We steal glances at each other as we slowly trek the pier. The scent of the salty sea air smells more like home every day.

It’s funny, that I don’t miss LA at all. Sure, I’ve always traveled, vlogging various cities and countries, so I’m used to being away. But I always missed home after a few days. Now, the idea of going back fills me with anxiety.

Derrick leads me to the nicer of the two restaurants on the pier and gives his name to the hostess. It’s strange, because even though it’s a nicer establishment, I’m almost positive Via mentioned that they don’t take reservations.

With a friendly smile, she pulls two menus from the slot on the side of the podium. Then she motions for us to follow her through the full dining room.

This restaurant is a favorite with locals and tourists, but it’s only open during the spring and summer months, so I haven’t been here yet.

The interior is navy and white, with hints of a lighter blue, but the theme isn’t in-your-face nautical. There are no fish or rafts or nets pinned to the walls. It’s subtle, with blue-and-white-striped booths and freshly painted walls.

Behind the bar, the wall is made of glass, and a sliding glass door in the center is open to let the breeze inside. The hostess leads us around the sturdy lacquered bar and straight to a prime table by the water.

“Enjoy your dinner,” she says before leaving us.

“How did you do this?” I survey the beautiful deck. It’s magical, lit up with fairy lights and cast in the glow of the setting sun. The water laps against the posts, the sky a warm orange hue. “I didn’t think they took reservations.”

With a shy smile, he unrolls his silverware and puts the cloth napkin on his lap. “They don’t. It was a favor for me.”

“Ah.” I nod, going for teasing, though my heart is bursting at his thoughtfulness. “Small town life.”

He chuckles. “Sometimes it pays to know people.”

“This is”—I inhale deeply, letting the evening air soothe me—“wow.”

I’ve been to some of the most highly rated restaurantsaround LA, Manhattan, and London, but nothing compares to this, and it’s all because of the man across from me.

Beneath the table, I pinch the inside of my arm and only barely keep from flinching.

Nope, not dreaming.

When the waitress appears with a breadbasket and a pitcher of water, she fills our glasses and takes our drink order, then disappears, leaving us to look over the menu.

With my elbows on the menu I have open in front of me, I lace my fingers and angle forward. “I think we should talk about what exactly is going on between us. I’m not trying to put you on the spot, but considering how public this is”—I look around—“my sister and your kids are going to be asking questions, and I’d feel better if we talked about how we should answer them.”

Sighing, he scrubs a hand over his face. “You’re right.”

“We’re not keeping this secret, but is this… are we dating? Just having fun? They’re going to want to know.”

I’m already dreading the interrogation my sister is bound to put me through. Though, strangely, I’m equally excited. My sister is several years older than me, and she was with her ex-husband from a young age, so we never gushed over boys together. Now we finally have the opportunity.

“Maybe we just tell them we’re seeing where things go.”

It’s not the declaration of love and utter devotion I’d prefer, but I’ll take what I can get.

I don’tactuallywant him confessing such things this soon, but a girl can dream.

I dip my chin and give him a genuine smile. “Sounds good to me.”

For now.

It’s for the best, really. He might be older than me, butwe’re in similar stages of life at the moment. He needs to figure out whether he’s ready for a relationship after losing his wife and being on his own for so long, and I need to figure out what I’m going to do with my life. If I want to continue vlogging or change direction.

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