Page 23 of The Beach Hut on Plum Island
“Okay.” Finn used the honey dipper to twirl a decent amount of honey into his cup, stirred it, and sipped it. His brows raised in surprise. “This is good.”
“Yes, I made Liam put it on the menu,” Harriet told him. “I found it at a small coffee shop in New York, and it became my favorite tea.”
“It’s refreshing and has a kick to it,” Finn said, taking another sip before putting the cup back on the plate. “So what did Alex order?”
“I wasn’t really listening,” Harriet admitted. “I’ve been a little distracted.”
“I’m not surprised,” Finn said, lifting the lid off the dish. “Oh, wow!”
“Surf and Turf, of course,” Harriet rolled her eyes. “It’s Alex’s favorite dish, so he thinks it’s everyone else’s.” She pulled the lid off hers and found she had the same. “That rat!”
“What?” Finn asked as he took the lid from Harriet’s food, combined it with his, and put it back on the trolley.
“I didn’t order a surf and turf,” Harriet told him. “I ordered a Ceasar salad with grilled chicken breast pieces on the side.”
“Mmm,” Finn said, pulling the lid off one of the smaller dishes. “Ah, I believe this is your salad.”
“He ordered it for two,” Harriet pointed out. “I hope you are super hungry.”
She pulled the lid off the final dish and found two toffee caramel chocolate mousse.
“Is that what I think it is?” Finn felt his mouth water. He loved Liam’s hotel’s toffee caramel chocolate mousse.
“If you think it’s chocolate mousse layered with thick caramel and drizzled with toffee sauce, then yes.” Harriet beamed, closing the lid on the dish. “Let’s keep it fresh.”
“My kids are going to be so jealous,” Finn laughed. “They love that dessert.”
“Oh, then maybe you should take it home for them,” Harriet suggested.
“No way!” Finn looked at her and shook his head. “Tucker’s staying at Reef’s house tonight, and Maggie’s out with Aunt Betty and Sam Donovan.”
“Oh, so you’ve got the day off from parenting,” Harriet said, spreading a napkin over her lap.
Finn sighed. “Yeah.” He, too, put a napkin on his lap. “While they can drive me crazy, I miss them so much when they’re not at home.”
“Are Betty and Sam dating?” Harriet moved the subject away from his kids.
“I think so.” Finn’s brow furrowed. “They hinted at it a few times but haven’t come right out and said it.”
“I think they make a great couple.” Harriet started digging into the lobster while Finn started with the steak. “Oh, shoot. I didn’t even ask if you can eat seafood.”
“I can eat it,” Finn assured her. “I just like leaving the best for last.”
They made small talk for the rest of the meal, and Finn found Harriet to be intelligent and as down-to-earth as Jennifer and his sister said she was. When the meal was over, they packed the trolley, and Finn pushed it out of the room, surprised to see that the sun was starting to set.
“Wow, is that the time already?” He looked pointedly out the window.
“Oh!” Harriet blinked and glanced at her wristwatch. “It is getting late.”
“Do you have somewhere you need to be?” Finn asked, surprised that he really didn’t want the evening to end just yet. He was really enjoying spending time with her.
“No.” Harriet shook her head. “I thought that you might need to get home for Maggie.”
“No, she’s staying with my aunt tonight,” Finn told Harriet.
“Would you like to have a sundowner on the balcony?” Harriet asked.
Finn noticed her fidgeting with her hands in a nervous gesture he’d never seen before. She seemed a little shy and hesitant to ask him, which surprised Finn because he’d always thought of her as barging through life filled with confidence. His heart jolted, and their eyes met; his breath caught in his throat as he once again was taken in by how green hers were.
