Page 45 of Moonlit Harbor Nights

He laughed. “If they have it, I’m getting it and you can try some. Trust me. It’s like, the most gourmet grilled cheese you’ve ever had in your life.”

“Hmm, I think that one with the fried onions and basil leaves and avocado that you made me the other day was pretty spectacular. I’m not sure a grilled cheese could get more gourmet than that.”

He laughed, thrilled by her compliment. “There were tomato slices in it too.”

She clapped a mittened hand to her forehead. “The tomatoes! Of course. Thick juicy slices of beefsteak tomatoes. How could I forget? They totally made it.” She grinned at him.

He pretended to bow. “It was a pretty gourmet sandwich, I have to admit. I’ll make it for you again with some of the pub’s secret sauce. You know, the secret family recipe one. I’d run out when I made it for you, but oh man, that stuff really makes a sandwich next level.”

She nodded eagerly. “I know! I had some on my bacon cheeseburger last time we ate at the pub. It was fantastic.”

They continued to chat and banter affectionately as they made their way to Ocean Breeze Café. Dean’s heart felt light and full of happiness. He could tell that Noelle loved him just as much as ever, and he was beyond relived that their relationship wasn’t over. She still wanted to be with him despite the way he struggled with fatigue, and her dedication and unselfishness made her seem even more incredible to him than she had before.

A few minutes later, they reached the café and stepped inside. The sweet aromas of pastry blended with the salty smells of chips and sandwiches and the earthy aroma of the coffee. Dean took a deep breath as he looked around the bustling café, and his stomach grumbled loudly a moment later.

“Hey! Look.” Noelle touched his arm. “They don’t have that blackberry grilled cheese today, but they do have salmon benedicts. That sounds incredible, doesn’t it?”

“Mm, it does.” He nodded, suddenly craving the flavor of salmon. “And how about we order a couple of mimosas with them? We are on a date, after all.”

Her eyes warmed. “Yes, please. Sounds fantastic.”

They placed their order and sat down at a charming little table by a window. Dean took Noelle’s hand and held it across the table.

“How did I get so lucky?” he asked her.

She shrugged, smiling impishly. “I don’t know. I think we’re the two luckiest people alive right now—I mean, getting to order salmon benedicts and mimosas? Honestly, come on.”

He laughed, and she kissed his hand.

“Just kidding,” she whispered. “Me too.”

For a moment, they sat there looking into each other’s eyes as a warm feeling passed between them. Dean felt his heart swell with happiness.

Someone cleared their throat beside the table, and Dean looked up, startled. The barista was standing next to them, holding a tray bearing their lunch plates as well as the two mimosas.

“Here you go!” she sang out cheerfully. “Two salmon benedicts with sides of homemade chips and fruit salads, and two mimosas.”

“Thanks, Annie.” Noelle grinned at her. “How’s your last semester of high school going?”

Dean watched his girlfriend with admiration as she chatted with the barista. He could tell that she made the young woman feel special, and that she was trying to instill confidence in her on purpose. He knew that Noelle often worked with young people as a physical therapist, and he thought to himself that they were all lucky to be able to spend some time being guided by her encouraging spirit.

But I’m the luckiest, he thought, his heart swelling with that happy ache again.

The barista went back behind the counter, and Dean and Noelle started to eat their meal.

“Oh, man,” Dean grunted, closing his eyes for a moment. “This is even better than that grilled cheese.”

Noelle laughed as she reached across the table to wipe a smear of hollandaise sauce off Dean’s chin. “I think you dreamed that grilled cheese. I think it wasn’t actually real.”

He pretended to be offended. “Do you think I’m a liar?”

“Nope.” She popped a potato chip into her mouth and grinned. “Just delusional.”

As they were both laughing, Cedric Turner and his wife Janet, who owned the local hardware store, walked up to them.

“Hey, Dean, hey, Noelle!” Cedric gave both of them powerful handshakes, and Janet smiled at them with gentle kindness. “How are the two of you doing?”

“Good.” Noelle smiled warmly at the couple. Dean knew that Janet was a patient of Noelle’s from time to time, and that Noelle and Hazel had baked cookies with Janet a couple of times. Hazel and Janet were close because the Turners were like mentors to Hazel’s boyfriend Jacob. “This food is absolutely incredible. How are the two of you doing?”

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