Page 39 of Most Likely to Deny Love

I pulled back, pulled myself together. “That should give them something to talk about.”

She nodded, seemingly unable to form words as she slipped into the passenger seat. I closed her door, taking an extra moment to compose myself before walking around to the driver’s side.

As I pulled onto the main road, I made a turn that would take us deeper into New Bern, instead of heading back toward Esperance.

Mia frowned when she noticed we weren’t heading home. “Where are we going? Esperance is the other direction.”

“To an Italian restaurant on the main strip. You barely ate anything at lunch.”

“I’m fine,” she protested immediately, just as I’d known she would. “Not hungry. I can eat something at home.”

“I’m not taking no for an answer.” I pulled into a parking space on a charming street lined with boutiques and restaurants.

She sighed beside me, but there was a hint of amusement in it. “You know, for a fake boyfriend, you’re awfully bossy.”

“Part of my charm.”

D’Angelo’s was warm and inviting, the rich aroma of garlic and basil enveloping us as we stepped inside. The restaurant was busy but not packed. A petite woman with curly dark hair and expressive brown eyes approached us with menus in hand. Before she could speak, Mia let out a small gasp.

“Ally! I didn’t know you were still working here?”

The woman’s face lit up with recognition, her smile wide and genuine. “Mia Harris! It’s been ages!” She glanced curiously at me, then back to Mia. “I’m just helping out today, because Mom and Dad are short staffed.”

“Well, it’s great to see you.”

“Straight back at ya.” Ally’s eyes flicked between us with undisguised curiosity. “Table for two?”

“Yes, please,” I answered, my hand still firmly holding Mia’s.

Ally led us to a cozy booth in the corner, slightly removed from the busier sections of the restaurant. “This work for you?”

Mia slid into the booth with a sigh. “It’s perfect, thanks.”

“I’ll send someone over with water in a minute,” she promised, placing the menus on the table, then headed back toward the front of the restaurant.

I settled into the seat across from Mia, watching as she relaxed into the cozy environment. The tension she’d been carrying since we arrived at her aunt’s house seemed to ease slightly.

“How do you two know each other?” I asked, picking up my menu.

“Well, see, it’s like this. I was in the eighth grade with Emma Carter and we got to be good friends. She started dating Jake before we finished high school but they broke up when he was in a car accident with this guy called Dante. Jake has an older brother, Gabe. Gabe has a best friend called Matt, who has a sister called Lucy. Matt did some building work for Zara, when she inherited her aunt’s house in the Valley. Ally is Zara’s bestfriend. So now Jake and Emma are together, Matt and Zara are together, Lucy and Dante are together, and Ally and Gabe are together. That’s how I know Ally.”

I chuckled. “That’s pretty convoluted.”

Mia’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “That’s how small towns are, I guess.”

Before I could respond, a young boy appeared beside our table, clutching a basket of bread with intense concentration. He couldn’t have been more than nine, with a mop of dark curls and a serious expression that seemed comically mature on his young face.

“Bread delivery,” he announced proudly, carefully placing the basket on our table. “Don’t eat it all at once.”

Mia’s face softened immediately. “Aaw, thanks, Jesse. That’s very professional service.”

The boy grinned at her. “Thanks. Mom says I’m a natural.”

Ally reappeared with our water, balancing two glasses expertly. “I see my assistant manager has taken care of your bread needs.”

“I didn’t spill anything,” Jesse reported, standing a little straighter.

“Perfect job.” Ally ruffled his hair affectionately. “Why don’t you go see if Table Six needs more napkins?”

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