Page 102 of Just Trouble

“Kick up your heels, Daphne. Variety is the spice of life.”

“The essence of romance is uncertainty.”

“Oh, that’s good. I like it. So go for it. Who cares if it’s just one of those things?”

“Should I sing along?”

He shakes a finger at me. “And one day, when you find Mr. Right, who will probably be a lot like Justin with similar credentials but will actually have a soul, and he puts a ring on your finger and gets to the church on time, you’ll have some memories to prompt that mysterious little smile, the one that will drive said man insane.”

He’s right. I have had a habit of assessing every guy in terms of his commitment quotient. There is something liberating about the prospect just enjoying Luke.

Is it possible that he really intends to stay?

Or are those just words, words that he knows I’ll like?

Rafe nods approval of his own advice then turns his attention back to his phone. “Do you think the crumble looks better in this picture of it pristine, or the one with the bite out of it? I can argue it either way.”

It’s almosteleven when things slow down. Willow has pitched in with clearing tables and Sylvia looks both exhausted and happy. Rafe is nodding with satisfaction at the response on his socials, and Luke saunters across the bistro to take his seat again. He takes my hand and kisses the back of it, closing his eyes for a moment.

“You owned it,” I tell him and he smiles.

“I hope it’s enough.”

“Great launch,” Rafe says, rising from his seat. “I’ll stop in for lunch tomorrow before heading home.”

“Thanks for coming,” I say.

“Thanks for arranging the details,” he replies, then nods to Luke. “Thanks for the conversation.”

“Ditto.” Luke stands and they shake hands.

“If you have time, stop in for lunch tomorrow,” Rafe says. “I have some ideas of people you can contact for more promotion. Never hurts to reach out and with an influential foodie, a free meal might yield great results.”

“Thank you,” Luke says with a smile and we leave together.

Rafe drives off into the proverbial sunset with a lot of honking and waving. The Maple Leaf Motel wasn’t his style, so he’s gone to the Travelodge in Havelock for the night. Mackenzie is still walking Merrie’s patrons through the wine flights, doing one of the many things she does well, and we leave her to it. We’re holding hands as we walk and Empire is its usual quiet self.

“Good date,” I say and feel Luke smile at me.

“Great date,” he agrees. “Again. Maybe we should make a habit of it.”

“Same time next week?”

“Something like that.”

“I didn’t realize you were a romantic.”

“Neither did I, but a relationship can’t just be a sequence of hook-ups. It’s got to be more, it’s got to be romantic and magical, and that means you can’t just show up. You have to putsomeeffort into it.”

I lean against him as we walk, his words making me all warm inside. “My parents used to have a date night every month. They dressed up and went out for dinner in Havelock. Sometimes they went to Toronto for a weekend. They’d have dinner out, go to a show, visit a museum together. My mom was always so happy afterward.”

“You must miss her.”

“I do. So much. But I kind of feel like she’s still here, reminding me of what’s important, nudging me in the direction she’d choose for me.”

“Like a guardian angel?”

“Yes! Just like that.” I study him. “You must miss Taylor.”

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