They were all sizes too, from little weekend retreats to—
“Wow.” Nina leaned forward to see the massive home and property up ahead. “I’ve heard about this place. It’s the Ellingham estate. It’s got to be. Owned by the woman who owns the town with her three grandsons.” She shook her head as she gawked. “I would love to see the inside of that place.”
Then she glanced over at him. “Looks like you aren’t the biggest bank account in town.”
He’d never thought or assumed he was. “Good to know. I guess.” He wasn’t sure what he was supposed to take away from that.
He changed the subject. Talking about his money never seemed useful anyway. “What kind of food does this place have?”
She shrugged. “You know, the standard stuff. Bar food. Burgers. Sandwiches. Salads. That kind of fare.”
“I like all of that.”
She smiled. “I know you do. Although you’re supposed to be eating healthier.”
“I’m trying.”
Nina, on the other hand, was more than a little picky about what she ate, so he could already imagine how lunch was going to go. She’d end up with a salad, lettuce and vegetables only, no cheese, no croutons, no dressing, with plain grilled chicken. Or possibly plain grilled shrimp, if they had it.
They’d been together long enough for him to know the drill. That was her go-to meal when they went out to eat anywhere she considered questionable.
He’d be lying if he said it didn’t bother him. What was the point of trying new places if she was just going to order her version of a safety blanket?
Maybe today would be different. This place was her idea, after all. But then again, Nina liked what she liked and not much else.
As he got into town, she gave him directions.
He listened, nodding, but looked around at the same time. “This place is really interesting. It’s like a Halloween vibe, right?”
“Right. They celebrate it every day. That’s the town’s shtick. And why so many of the little kids are dressed up in costumes. And some of the adults. I guess a lot of the stores hand out candy if you’re trick-or-treating.”
“We should walk around after we eat lunch.”
She laughed. “Why? You want some free candy?”
“No.” He chuckled. “Just to see more of the place.”
She nodded. “Sure, that would be great.”
“Yeah?” He looked over at her.
She nodded. “Yes. I want you to like it here.”
“I do like it here.”
“No, you don’t. Not really. You miss the city. I can tell.”
He found a spot near the restaurant and parked. “Yes, I do. I won’t lie. But this change of pace will be good for me. It’ll give me a chance to be more focused on the work that matters.”
“And more focused on us,” she said. “And to get healthy.”
“That too.” He hadn’t had an episode in about a month. He liked to think maybe they were behind him.
They got out and walked into the restaurant. It was busy, which he took as a very good sign. An empty restaurant at lunchtime didn’t inspire much confidence.
The hostess smiled brightly at them. “Two for lunch?”
“Yes, please,” Nina said.
“Just a moment.” The young woman looked at the chart in front of her, marked a table with grease pencil, then picked up two menus. “Right this way.”
She took them to a table near the right side of the floor. “Here you go. Billy will be your server. Enjoy your lunch.”
“Thanks.” He pulled out Nina’s chair for her, then took his own seat. “This is an interesting place. Seems a little more biker bar than I would have imagined, but it works.”
Nina looked like she wasn’t sure if they should leave now or suck it up and hope for the best. But she’d chosen it, and she hated to admit defeat. “I think it’s campy.”
He picked up his menu. “I don’t care what it is so long as the food is good.”
Their server, a young man with a little bit of blue in his otherwise black hair, approached their table with two glasses of water. “Welcome to Howler’s. I’m Billy, and I’ll be taking care of y’all. Today’s special is meatloaf, but we also have a special appetizer today. Cheddar-stuffed onion rings. They are so good. But first, what can I get you guys to drink?”
Nina didn’t even look up. “Bottled water with lime.”
“And for you, sir?”
Ethan smiled at the young man. “Iced tea?”
“Sure thing. Sweet or unsweet or peach?”
“Peach.” Why not, he figured. “And let’s try an order of those cheddar-stuffed onion rings to start with, and then I think we’ll need a few minutes to decide on the rest.”
“You got it.” Billy tucked his notepad away as he left.
Ethan already knew he was getting the meatloaf, so while Nina focused on the menu, he looked around a little more.
His looking came to a stop on a booth on the other side of the restaurant. All because of the woman sitting in it.
He smiled.
Undrea.
“Incoming,” Aaron said.
“What?” Undrea looked up from her fries. She loved fries with meatloaf so long as she got a side of gravy to dip them in. Along with her anchovies, which Aaron had also ordered. Because he understood.
He tipped his head toward the main part of the restaurant as if gesturing towards something. Or someone.
She looked over. And straight into Ethan’s face. Uh-oh. He was in the restaurant and headed her way. Almost at her table now. So much for not seeing him.
He smiled at her as they made eye contact. “Hi there. I figured it wouldn’t be neighborly to see you and not say hi. Now that we’re neighbors.”
How did he know where she lived? Or was he just speaking generally? That had to be it. Aaron nudged her under the table with his foot, bringing her back to the moment. She smiled. “Oh, right, hi. Great spot for lunch, isn’t it?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never eaten here before, but Nina thought we should try it, so here we are. Judging by the crowd, it must be good.”
“It is.” She looked past him to see the back of Nina at a table on the other side of the restaurant. Undrea brought her attention back to him.
“Do you eat here a lot?” Ethan asked.
“Almost every day. Well, here or Mummy’s. And sometimes Salvatore’s.” It was hard not to look at him. Ethan was just as handsome in public as he was in his house. But then, had she expected that to be different somehow?
That stupid, love-inducing kiss was making her googly-eyed and airheaded over him. Mattie had better be researching extra hard. Of course he looked the same. A person’s environment didn’t change their looks.
“Salvatore’s?” Ethan asked.
“Best pizza in town,” Aaron said. He stuck his hand out. “Aaron Rigby.”
“Nice to meet you, Aaron. I’m Ethan. You must be Undrea’s…”
“Engineer,” Aaron filled in.
Undrea nodded as she realized she’d zoned out and failed to make the introduction. “Aaron is my engineer and my right-hand man. He designs and oversees the building of our custom tanks. He’s also the one who will be making sure your builder signs off on your floor.” She looked at Aaron. “Ethan’s house was where I was this morning. He’s our new client. Potential new client.”