Page 23 of The Lighthouse at the Cove
Reid grinned. “Have you eaten?”
“Only if you count microwave popcorn.”
“How do feel about Italian food?”
“I love it.” She tilted her head. “But didn’t you just eat with your family?”
“I did, but I thought you might be hungry since you didn’t join us.” He paused and gestured behind her. “Unless you’re too busy working.”
“I was just talking to my sister and thinking about pitching another article to my editor.”
“Can you take a break?”
“For Italian food?” she asked. “Absolutely.”
“Great.”
They smiled at each other, and she lost herself in his bottomless brown eyes for a moment. He pushed up the sleeves of his long-sleeved T-shirt before resting an arm on the deck railing beside him. Kaiah couldn’t pull her eyes away from the thick, ropey muscles of his forearm.
Whoa!He’s one fit dude. Must be all that firefighting.
She gave herself a mental shake and tried to ignore the flush climbing up her neck. “I’ll, uh, grab my purse.”
Reid held open the door to Baudo’s Trattoria, and Kaiah strolled inside. The savory aromas that hit her caused her stomach to gurgle, and she hugged her arms to her middle, hoping Reid hadn’t heard it.
“This place reminds me of the Italian joints back in New York,” Kaiah said while they walked together toward the counter. The walls were lined with photos of mouthwatering pastas alongside beach landscapes. The black-and-white tile floor was worn, and the matching checked tablecloths with small vases of fresh red carnations at each table evoked a feeling of yesteryear. “Do you eat here often?”
Reid grinned. “Oh yeah. It’s been a staple in my life since I was a kid.”
“What do you recommend?”
“Everything.” He chuckled, and she enjoyed the deep, rich sound.
Kaiah grinned before studying the menu. Her eyes moved tothe glass cases, and she smiled when she noticed there were calzones shaped like lighthouses.
Reid sidled up to her. “What’d you see?”
As he leaned in, she breathed in his scent and picked up hints of evergreen mixed with sandalwood. Her heartbeat quickened.
“Those calzones are shaped like lighthouses,” she explained. “How cute is that?”
“Would you like to try one?” he offered.
She nodded and then ordered a cheese and pepperoni calzone before they sat in a booth. She cut off a piece of the calzone and pushed the plate toward him. “Would you like a bite?”
He rubbed his hand over his flat abdomen. “I already ate.”
“So you’re going to watch me eat?” she asked, and when he nodded, she giggled. “Talk about awkward.”
“Fine. I’ll force myself.” He cut off a piece, forked it into his mouth, and shook his head. “Superb.”
She popped a piece into her mouth, and her tastebuds danced with delight. The soft dough burst with the perfect balance of tangy tomato sauce and rich mozzarella. “I agree.” While she ate another piece, she glanced out the restaurant’s front window. Her eyes rested on the gift shop across the street where she’d spotted the lighthouse suncatcher, and her heart lurched yet again.
“What’s on your mind?”
Her gaze snapped to Reid’s, and his warm chocolate-brown eyes melted any hesitation she had about sharing what was on her mind.
“There’s a gift shop across the street,” she began, “and the lighthouse suncatcher in the window reminds me of one my mom bought on our last trip to Maine. It hung in the front window of our house for years.” She ate another piece of calzone while contemplating the lighthouse. She’d researched it earlier, and she was anxious to see it in person. “You mentioned you give lighthouse tours.”
