Page 45 of Winter at Wishington Bay
‘Well, I guess I’ll just see you next Friday then, Nate,’ she said, looking up at him from under her thick, false lashes, before turning and strutting off up the harbour.
We all watched her go for a moment then turned back to face Nate.
‘I literally don’t know what she’s on about.’ He looked genuinely confused.
‘She made a point of saying earlier that you had asked her out.’
He shook his head. ‘I didn’t. I don’t know…’ He let out a sigh and dragged one large hand across a freshly shaven jaw. ‘She said something about there being a ceremony for the Christmas lights being turned on in the village next Friday. She was going on about it and I just wanted to get on with my dinner. I couldn’t get her to leave so I said something inane about maybe seeing her there, hoping she would get the hint and go. I guess she’s got the wrong idea.’
‘No, she’s just trying to make sure other people get the wrong idea, I think, love,’ Eloise said, glancing at me.
‘Do I need to say something?’ he asked, frown lines creasing his already serious face.
‘Not at all. You’re grand. And I’m Eloise by the way.’ She held out her hand and Nate shook it.
‘Nate McKinley.’
‘The lovely Gabe’s brother.’
‘Yes. He seems pretty popular in these parts.’
‘You’re pretty popular yourself, by the looks of it,’ Bob chuckled. Nate didn’t answer, instead busying himself pulling up his collar.
‘Go on then, take this girl home. That’s the least you can do after she’s been run ragged covering tables while Corinne was busy lusting over you.’ Eloise winked to soften the tease.
Nate shook Bob’s hand and I gave them both a hug before we parted ways and headed home.
‘I’m sorry if I caused a problem,’ he said as soon as they were out of hearing.
‘Oh, don’t be daft,’ I said, ‘Eloise is just teasing you. And you can’t help looking like you do.’
He glanced away towards the sea.
‘You really don’t like compliments, do you?’
He gave me a quick glance. ‘It’s not that.’
‘What is it, then?’
He shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Just feels odd.’
‘Why?’
‘Was she really trying to chat me up?’
I grinned. ‘Uh-huh.’
‘I’m about twenty odd years her senior.’
‘True, but you’re kind of nice looking.’
He slid me a glance.
‘You know. If you like the obvious drop-dead gorgeous, body of a god thing.’
And then he laughed. Really laughed, and I watched the stress fall away from his face.
I smiled, happy to see this change. ‘Laugh all you want, but you can’t argue with facts.’
