Page 14 of More Than a Hero
Pete immediately realized why he’d been nervous about this date. It was because he genuinely liked what he already knew about Angie, and he really wanted the night to go well.
There was always that underlying tension when dating someone you might run into professionally or even at the grocery store. A bad date meant awkward encounters. That was one reason he’d been relieved when his last relationship hadn’t been with someone from the Shore. When it ended, it ended cleanly. No unexpected run-ins or lingering awkwardness.
But as he stared at Angie, watching the way her lips curved into an easy smile, something settled in him. He wasn’t nervous anymore. She had an ease about her, a quiet confidence, as though she wasn’t trying to impress him or put on any kind of act. Angie was simply herself. And damn, if that wasn’t incredibly sexy.
“Have you been on the Shore for long?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.
Shaking his head, he replied, “No. I didn’t grow up here. I’m from Newport News.”
“Oh, that’s not far. I’m from Williamsburg, but I’ve been out here for about five years.”
“I remember visiting Colonial Williamsburg once as a teenager,” he said. “It was on a senior trip. I’m embarrassed to admit that at the time, I wasn’t all that interested in it. But I must’ve paid attention because I still remember being impressed with the restored buildings.”
Her eyes lit up. “I love Colonial Williamsburg! I was such a history nerd.” She grinned, shaking her head. “I haven’t been back in years… well, I mean, not to the historic district. But I still visit Williamsburg because my brother and his family live there.”
She lifted her beer, taking a sip, and when she pulled the bottle away, her tongue darted out to catch a stray drop lingering on her bottom lip.
Pete’s breath hitched. His gaze locked onto her mouth, the soft sweep of her tongue, the slight glisten of moisture against her lip. For a second, he almost missed that she was still speaking.
“Now that I think about it, I need to make a trip back to the colonial area next time I visit.”
He wanted to ask about her family, wanted to know everything, but he hesitated. If she didn’t have a great home life, he’d have just led them into an awkward conversation. And if she did have a good relationship with her family, that meant she’d likely turn the question back on him.
And his family? Not exactly something he wanted to get into over barbecue. Before he could figure out how to navigate that landmine, their food arrived, and Angie’s eyes widened as the server set down the massive platter in front of her.
“Oh my God!” she gasped, staring at the overflowing plate of barbecue. “I thought we’d get tiny portions of pork, chicken, and brisket. I had no idea it was this much food!”
Pete chuckled. “Dig in and enjoy. If you can’t eat it all, at least you know it’ll make for some great leftovers.”
“You’re right about that.” She picked up her fork, eyeing the platter with delight. “Barbecue is always just as good the next day.”
They fell into a comfortable silence as they ate, and Pete couldn’t help but appreciate how Angie really dove into her meal—no tiny, polite bites just to impress him. She took full, satisfied forkfuls, humming in appreciation after the first taste.
And damn if those little sounds didn’t make his brain go in a completely inappropriate direction. He forced himself to focus on his own plate, pushing away thoughts of what else might make her moan like that.
He was nearly finished with his meal when she slowed down, leaning back in her chair with a contented sigh. “I have to tell my grandparents about this place. My grandfather loves a good barbecue, and I don’t think he’s ever been here.”
Her comment caught him off guard. He’d been curious about her family but hadn’t considered the possibility of her grandparents still being in the picture.
Before he could stop himself, he asked, “Do they live out here on the Shore?”
“Oh yes,” she said, laughing. “In fact, they live in the townhouse next to mine.”
His eyes widened.
She grinned at his reaction. “It’s my dad’s parents. They lived in Maryland, but when I moved here, they decided they wanted to be closer. I was renting a townhouse duplex at the time, and the other side was available. They sold their house and moved in.”
He hesitated, now really wanting to know more but still unsure if he should ask.
As if reading his mind, she smirked. “I can tell you’re dying to ask if it’s a pain having my grandparents as my neighbors.” She shook her head, her eyes full of warmth. “And I can honestlysay—not at all. They’re such cool people, and having them close means I never have to worry about them. Plus, my parents live just down the street.”
Pete’s head jerked back slightly. “Your parents live here, too?”
“Yep.” She popped the “p,” clearly amused by his reaction. “And it’s all good. I’m close to my parents and my grandparents.” Her expression softened. “My mom’s dad passed away several years ago, and my grandmother needed a lot of care. Once I saw how great the Careway Assisted Living facility was, we moved her in. I don’t know if you know Belle Simmons, but she’s the head nurse administrator. They take such good care of my grandmother.”
“I do know Belle. Her husband is a detective I work with occasionally.”
“Oh, that’s right! I forgot about that.” She shook her head. “That’s one thing about the Shore, isn’t it? It doesn’t take long before you start making connections.”
