Page 14 of The Maine Event

She pats my hand warmly. “You too, sweetheart. Don’t let this one get away,” she adds, giving Dan a pointed look.

He rolls his eyes, muttering something, but there’s a faint smile there too.

We file out of the room, and as we walk down the hall, Chloe pipes up, “See if she’s hungry, Dad?”

Dan glances at me. “Did you get anything to eat earlier?” he asks, almost cautiously.

The truth is, I’m famished. But I hesitate, my mind spinning with the implications. Dinner at a stranger’s house? It feels too intimate, too personal.

“I don’t know. It’s been a long day. I’ve kind of lost my appetite and I should probably just head back to the motel…”

“Of course, I understand. You must be exhausted. I just thought… Well, never mind. Another time maybe.”

I chew on my bottom lip, torn. It would be so easy to say no, to retreat to the safety of my solitude. But something in Dan’s eyes, in the earnest set of his shoulders, makes me pause.

When was the last time I let myself slow down? When was the last time I just did something for the fun of it?

I think of the endless string of late nights at the office, the bare shelves in my refrigerator, the takeout containers piling up in my trash can.

Maybe it’s time to try something different. Maybe it’s time to not think about clients and work and pitches, after the day I’ve had…

I meet Dan’s gaze with a tentative smile. “You know what? Sure. I’ve barely eaten all day.”

The grin that breaks across his face is blinding, and I feel an answering warmth blooming in my chest. “Fantastic. It will make me feel like I’ve made amends for barging into your room. And, just to manage expectations, I make a mean grilled cheese.”

I laugh, shaking my head in mock disbelief. “Grilled cheese? You sure know how to woo a girl.”

He winks. “Don’t mock it until you’ve tried it.

FOUR

As I pull up to Dan’s home, I’m struck by how breathtaking it looks against the night sky. The waterfront property is bathed in the soft glow of outdoor string lights, their golden hue reflecting off the water like scattered fireflies. The two-story house stands nestled among tall pine trees, their dark silhouettes swaying gently in the evening breeze. Warm light spills from the windows, illuminating the wraparound porch and casting long, inviting shadows across the neatly kept lawn. It looks like something out of a movie—effortlessly charming, like it’s been waiting for someone to come home.

Chloe jumps out before Dan can even put his car in park and runs straight into the house. I step out of my truck, taking a moment to inhale the crisp, salty air. The sound of gentle waves lapping against the riverbank fills my ears, and I feel a sense of peace wash over me, a stark contrast to the chaos of the day. Dan lingers by his car until I catch up, giving me a glance that’s both grateful and a little uncertain.

“It was nice of you to check in on Marjorie. She’s something of a Biddeford institution. I wasn’t sure she was going to make it.”

“Someone’s got to look out for you stubborn Mainers. Can’t have you collapsing in diners every time the chowder’s a little too salty.”

Dan huffs out a short laugh, but the tension between us still lingers, hovering like unspoken words in the air. Before I even know what to say, Chloe reappears on the porch, waving us inside.

“Come on! I’m starving!” she calls out, clearly unfazed by the chaos of the evening.

“Guess we’d better feed her.”

“Yep. You do not want to mess with a hungry tween. Welcome to Casa Rhodes, by the way,” Dan says with a smile, leading me up the porch steps. “It’s not much, but it’s home.”

I shake my head, taking in the charming details of the house—the white-painted wood, the nautical-themed decorations on the porch. “It’s lovely, Dan. Truly.”

As we step inside, I’m immediately enveloped by the warmth and coziness of the space. The living room is adorned with plush, inviting couches and soft, worn rugs. A large stone fireplace dominates one wall, its mantel lined with family photos.

I step closer, my eyes drawn to a particular image—a younger Dan, his arm around a beautiful woman with long, dark hair and a radiant smile. They look so happy, so in love. My heart clenches as I realize he’s married.Of course he is.

Dan notices my gaze and clears his throat, a flicker of sadness passing over his features. “That was taken on our honeymoon,” he says softly. “Becca always loved the ocean. She passed.”

I nod, unsure of what to say.

Just then, Chloe bounds into the room. She’s already changed into her pajamas, and she bounces excitedly. “You hungry?” she asks.

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