Page 3 of Love in Beauty

“Hey, I can tell you about it and then you’ll be wanting to join us at Cupid’s Cove but be careful once you visit. You’ll never want to leave.”

“Are you saying my sister is going to move to Maine?” He smirks. He leads me toward his waiting Jeep. He places his opened hand on my lower back, and it sends a shiver through my body. “Would you like to order dinner in or would you like to go somewhere?”

I swallow as he opens the passenger side door.

“I know you work a lot. Stephanie told me you work late and then take work home. If you need to work, I can fend for myself.”

“Suddenly work is the furthest thing from my mind.” He licks his lips. My cheeks feel awfully warm, and I know I’m blushing. Do I want him to kiss me right in front of the airport and all of these people? I know I’m a romance lover and have seen and read all these great kisses of love and lust. The fact this man is the one I’ve been crushing on for years and he just met me. I can’t do that Stephanie can I? Would she forgive me? Oh to feel his lips on mine. “Carmen did you hear me?” Sebastian’s voice breaks my rambling thoughts.

“No I didn’t. I’m sorry. What did you say?”

“I asked if you were ready to get out of the airport. Let’s go get some food.”

He drives away and the quietness in the Jeep is comfortable and nerve-wracking at the same time. I clear my throat.

“Is there anything you’re hungry for?” Sebastian asks.

“You’re asking a woman what she wants to eat. Do you have three hours to wait?” We laugh. “I’m a woman who loves food, and I like to try new things. You pick your favorite restaurant.” He nods as he gets onto the highway. His right hand rests on my thigh.

“I don’t usually kiss my sister’s friends. I don’t know what came over me. Well, I know why I did it—because you’re beautiful and there’s something about those gorgeous eyes staring at me. Your lips are just kissable.”

“There was a pull you didn’t want to let go of, so you took a chance?” My voice is low and uncertain.

“That is the best way to describe it.”

“My pai used to say it was Cupid releasing the bow.” I chuckle.

“As in love?” he questions me.

I shake my head.

“I don’t believe in Cupid’s love. Pai talked about the Cupid’s Arrow being the fate that sends a desire to two people to explore and sometimes it works for the happily ever after or a lifelong friendship.” I shrug.

“That makes sense. I like how your pai explained it.” He smiles. “So this is the beginning of something beautiful. We just don’t know what it is yet?”

“It’s the beginning of something!” I can’t help but grin. He pulls in front of a restaurant that has valet parking. This is something fancy and nothing I’m used to in Cupid’s Cove.

chapterfour

Sebastian

I handmy keys to the valet as I help Carmen to the restaurant. It’s my favorite place to go when I want more of a comfort food type meal. I nod at the couple who came out before us.

“What kind of food does this place serve?” Carmen asks as we wait for the hostess to get back to the podium.

“Comfort food.” I smile. “The owners are from the south. They moved here to be closer to their first grandchild. They take suggestions if there isn’t something on the menu that you find of comfort.”

“This is such a cool restaurant. If this was here when I went to college, I’d probably put on the freshman hundred.” She chuckles. I need this girl. “I’ll have to see about them franchising in the Cove. It would be a great tourist attraction, plus I’d never leave the place.” The hostess broke the silence and lead us to the table. She’s browsing the menu and her lips part in awe of everything on it. “I can’t decide.” She bites her bottom lip. The waitress takes our drink orders since she is still undecided on what she wants to eat. After a few minutes, she decides on some mac and cheese, tomato soup, and grilled cheese sandwich. I opt for the French fries dripping in gravy, mac and cheese, and chicken tenders. Her fingers are drumming on the table as if she’s nervous.

“How was your flight?” I’m trying to break the silence.

“Short. Maine and Massachusetts are close together, but I didn’t want to drive. I have to work on Monday.”

“What do you do for work?” Stephanie talks a lot of about her college days and friends. I try to remember each one but there are so many of them. Now I need to go through the vault of stories of Carmen though.

“I own a salon with my mom. I went to college to get a business degree because my parents never went to college and didn’t know how to run a business.”

“A business degree is a good plan. Oh I remember now! Stephanie told me you do hair right?” Carmen nods smiling. “Do you like being a hair stylist?” Our food came out, and we ate while we talk.

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