Page 6 of Winter at Wishington Bay
He quirked an eyebrow in disbelief.
‘I’m smiling!’
‘Yep. And it looks like it’s hiding a desire to write “lace with arsenic” on that order pad.’
I burst out laughing, feeling my face relax as I did so.
‘Actually, I was only going to put “sprinkle”. You weren’t quite bad enough to deserve “lace”.’
He looked at me, that smile still in shadow. ‘You sure about that?’
I shrugged. ‘We all have bad days.’
Nate studied me for a moment. ‘I guess so. And thank you. I wanted to apologise anyway, though.’
I waved my pad. ‘Nothing to apologise for. Now, what can I get you?’
‘I think there is,’ he said, ignoring my question. ‘I’m pretty sure I was unforgivably rude.’
‘Well as I’ve forgiven you, that can’t exactly have been the case, can it?’
‘I think that just means I’m exceptionally lucky.’
‘That too,’ I grinned.
And then he smiled back. Behind me I heard Eloise drop the glass she was drying and I wasn’t surprised. Nate McKinley’s smile was one of those that could make a lot of women drop a lot of things. It was beautiful and unexpected and a tiny bit crooked which made it perfect.
‘I am sorry for being such an arse the other day.’
‘It’s fine. Really.’
‘It isn’t. And I think you were right.’
‘About what?’
‘Taking advantage of the place. If I’d wanted to stay inside I could have stayed in a hotel at home, like you said. I know Holly went to a lot of trouble to make the place welcoming and comfortable for me, and I didn’t really appreciate that until you tore me off a strip about it.’
I felt the colour creep onto my chest and was thankful for the high-necked top I’d chosen to wear today. Of course, that couldn’t hide my cheeks, which also felt decidedly pink.
‘Don’t be embarrassed, please,’ he said, his dark brow furrowing as my colour deepened. ‘I deserved it. And I probably needed it.’
I shrugged. ‘Gabe said you’d been going through a stressful time. We’re not always ourselves in those situations.’
He turned his gaze back to the window. ‘I’m not sure I even know who I am these days.’ His voice was quiet and I wasn’t sure if he realised he’d spoken aloud. He turned back and looked up, the palest imitation of the earlier smile on his face. I smiled back, but as I met his eyes I saw nothing but sadness. I recognised that same sadness. Had felt it myself for too many years. My resolve was set. I couldn’t fix Nate’s relationship but I could do my best to make sure this break refreshed him and maybe he’d be able to find himself again. I knew what it was like to feel lost and I hated to think of someone else going through that. Gabe and Holly had been incredibly kind to me and I would do what I could to pay that forward.
‘So, is today your first foray out into the big wide world of Wishington Bay?’
A hint of the smile returned. ‘It is. Gabe said that Ned had promised to keep a table available for me, which I know is a really kind offer bearing in mind those Michelin stars on the door.’
‘Ned and Carrie are big on family.’
‘But I’m not family.’
‘Family doesn’t always mean those you share the same blood with. You make your own family. And Gabe is a part of theirs – so that extends to you.’
He shook his head a little as if he were having trouble understanding the whole concept.
‘I should thank him.’
