Page 8 of Moonlit Harbor Nights

“Dean, it’s after eight o’clock,” she said gently, smiling at him and tucking back a strand of hair that had tumbled onto his forehead.

“What?” He sat up straight. “Oh no—I—I was going to set an alarm?—”

She shook her head. “You’re clearly exhausted, sweetheart. It’s okay.”

“But I was supposed to come get you at seven-thirty. You must have been waiting—oh, Noelle, I’m so sorry.”

She sat down on the couch near him and squeezed his hand. “I got worried when you didn’t show up. I called you a few times, but I guess your phone is on silent. I decided to come over here to check on you and I found you sleeping on the couch. I let you sleep for a little bit longer before I woke you up.”

“I’m so sorry. Let me get up and I’ll get ready.”

She shook her head. “That’s okay. I’ve got some leftovers I can eat for dinner. We’ll go out to dinner another time, when you’re feeling up for it. You should get some sleep. It’s clear that you need it.” She laughed and winked at him.

He grimaced good-naturedly. “I wish I didn’t. I really wanted to go out to dinner with you, Noelle.” He felt bad about letting her down, but he was too tired to argue.

“I wanted to go out with you too. But it’s okay! Another time.” She smiled briskly and stood up. “You should eat a little something before you go to sleep. You want me to make you some scrambled eggs and toast?”

“That would be amazing. Thank you, sweetheart. I’ll get into my pajamas.”

He stood up and kissed her, feeling a rush of gratitude for her. She patted his back and pushed him in the direction of the staircase.

He got into his pajamas, still feeling sleepy and heavy, as if he were filled with water. He was just starting to make his way backdownstairs when Noelle appeared at the bottom of the staircase, carrying a plate of scrambled eggs and toast.

“You go and sit in your bed,” she told him. “No point in you coming back downstairs again. I’ll lock up on my way out.”

He shook his head in disbelief as he went back into his bedroom and crawled into bed. “I don’t deserve you. I stand you up for dinner and now you’re bringing me breakfast in bed.”

She laughed and handed him the plate and a fork. “You do too deserve me. You’re the sweetest boyfriend in the world. And it’s okay. I’ll miss you, but there’s a chick flick I have from the library that I’ve been meaning to watch. I’ll make myself a cup of cocoa and have a cozy night in.”

She smiled sweetly at him, but he could tell she was disappointed. He felt badly about letting her down, but he was already starting to fall asleep again. He started to eat the food she’d made him and she kissed his forehead.

“You get some good sleep, sweetheart. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

He nodded and swallowed. “Yes, please. Thank you so much.”

She blew him another kiss in the doorway and went downstairs. As he finished eating, he heard her leave through the back door.

I’ll make it up to her,he vowed, and was immediately overcome with another yawn.

He set the empty plate down on his nightstand and turned off the light. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he was sound asleep.

CHAPTER FOUR

Vivian smoothed her hair back from her face, taking a deep breath. She felt frazzled, and even though her adrenaline was pumping enough to keep up her energy, she was a little winded. They’d just had an unexpectedly late lunch rush at the pub, and even though she’d come into The Lighthouse Grill that day with the intention of working on marketing in the office, they’d become so busy that she’d left the office to start waiting on tables. She’d just ducked back into the kitchen to put in another order, although things were finally starting to slow down.

“Wow.” Alexis stepped up to her mother, laughing wryly and shaking her head. “I’m glad we got the business, but two buses full of high school basketball teams coming in at once is quite the whirlwind.”

“Especially when Allison had just left to take a lunch break.” Vivian shook her head. “I thought I was going to have to help Kirk cook all those hamburgers myself.”

“She’s a sweetheart for coming back.” Alexis grabbed her water bottle off the counter and took a long drink.

“Very loyal.” Vivian nodded. “I’ll pay her overtime for today. At least she should finally get a break in a minute here.”

Alexis nodded. “I’m out of here in another couple of hours, so I can keep going. But you should also take a break, Mom. We’ve got everything under control now—everyone’s got their food except for that last couple you just waited on. I can run their food out to them when it comes out.”

“Oh, I’m doing just fine.” Vivian waved her hand through the air, smiling. “Thanks for offering, but I want to help put things back in order for the early dinner crowd.”

“Okay,” Alexis said doubtfully. “But my offer still stands for whenever you do want to take a break.”

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