Page 28 of Healing Hearts
Chapter 11
Brooke
Ismooth my emerald silk dress for the hundredth time as I step into the Silver Willow, the familiar scent of garlic and rosemary doing little to calm my jangling nerves. Soft classical music floats through the air, mingling with the clink of silverware and the murmur of conversation.
The Silver Willow is the most elegant restaurant in Hibiscus Harbor and the one place where Charlie can keep an eye on me for this blind date of mine. She promised I’d ‘love’ the guy she’s setting me up with – like all friends that set you up with someone – but since she’s the head chef here, I’m safe if this guy turns out to be a real asshole. Charlie promised to watch out for me and she’s always had my back no matter what.
"Deep breaths," I mutter to myself. "You can do this."
God, I hate blind dates.
My heels click against the polished hardwood as I follow the hostess, my mind racing. How do I let this guy down gently? I've barely started seeing Trevor, but I already can't imagine being with anyone else.
"Your table, miss," the hostess says with a smile.
"Thank you, I—" The words die in my throat as I look upand see none other than Trevor himself sitting at the table, looking devastatingly handsome in a crisp blue button-down.
Our eyes lock, and suddenly the floor seems to tilt beneath me. I stumble, my ankle twisting.
"Whoa there!" Trevor jumps up, reaching out to steady me. His strong hands grasp my waist, sending tingles up my spine. "Are you okay? Do you need a doctor?" His smile is devilish and handsome as fuck.
I let out a breathless laugh, my cheeks burning. "I'm fine, just surprised to see you here. I thought?—"
"That you were meeting someone else?" Trevor finishes, a bemused smile playing on his lips. "Yeah. Me too.” He kisses my temple.
As he guides me to my seat, his hand lingers on the small of my back. I sink into the chair, my heart racing. "I can't believe this," I say, shaking my head. "I was so nervous about how to tell my blind date I'd already met someone else."
Trevor's blue eyes sparkle with amusement. "And here I was, wondering how to politely excuse myself from my blind date to go meet the beautiful librarian I can't stop thinking about."
His words send a thrill through me. I lean forward, unable to stop the grin spreading across my face. "Well, Dr. Jacobs, it seems the universe has other ideas."
I can't help but chuckle, the tension melting away as I meet Trevor's warm gaze. "You know, in the romance novels I love so much, they'd call this a 'meet cute'," I say, twirling a strand of my red hair around my finger. I’ve got to stop doing that.
Trevor raises an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Is that so? Well, as a man of science, I'd say it's more... serendipitous."
"Serendipitous?" I echo, leaning in closer. The scent of his cologne, a mix of sandalwood and ocean air, fills my senses. "That's quite a word, Doctor, but I prefer to thinkof it as fate."
His eyes soften, and I feel a flutter in my chest. "Fate, huh? I like the sound of that," Trevor says, his voice low and intimate.
I bite my lip, fighting the urge to reach across the table and touch his hand. Instead, I say, "So, tell me, were you as nervous about this blind date as I was?"
Trevor laughs, the sound rich and warm. "Honestly? I was a wreck. I kept thinking about you and feeling guilty for being here."
His admission sends a rush of warmth through me. "Me too," I confess. "I couldn't stop thinking about last night on your boat."
The clink of silverware against porcelain punctuates our conversation as we dive into our meals. I can't help but steal glances at Trevor between bites, admiring the way his blue eyes crinkle when he smiles.
"So, tell me more about your work at the hospital," I say, genuinely curious. "It must be intense, being a trauma surgeon."
Trevor nods, his expression growing serious. "It can be. There are days when it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. But then, you save a life, and it's... indescribable."
I lean in, captivated by the passion in his voice. "It sounds incredible and terrifying."
"It is," he agrees, then grins. "But enough about me. What's it like being surrounded by books and kids all day? I bet you have some interesting stories."
I'm about to answer when a familiar voice interrupts us. "Well, well, well! Look at you two lovebirds!"
I look up to see Charlie, her curly brown hair as wild as ever, beaming down at us. "Hi Charlie." I exclaim, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. “I’d like you to meet Trevor.” I point to him as he stands and shakes her hand.
