“I don’t mean boring, just that we fit well together. He’s easy to be with. It’s hard to explain, but I think it’s a good thing. I like a quieter life than you do. I don’t need a lot of excitement. Manhattan is fun to visit, but I could never live there.”
Jill sipped her coffee and smiled. “You’re right. Of course, you’re right. I just want you to be happy. You deserve that.”
“Thanks. And speaking of happy, I’m thrilled for you and Billy. And I’m so glad you guys are here through New Year’s. We’re going to have fun.”
“We are. So, tell me about this wine dinner tonight…”
The wine dinner was a resounding success.
“Paul really outdid himself,” Jill said as they enjoyed the main course, a perfectly cooked filet mignon topped with a rich, wild mushroom demi-glace. They’d started with seared scallops and shrimp over creamy polenta, which was so good.
Mandy, Jill and Emma had helped the servers bring out each course. Billy had offered to help, too, but they insisted they were fine and he should stay and keep Matt company. Gina and Stacy kept everyone’s wine glasses full, pouring a different Charles Krug wine for each course. Mandy’s favorite was the Generations blend that was so smooth and went wonderfully with the buttery filet.
The dessert looked amazing as Mandy was passing them out. It was some kind of layered chocolate pastry, with lots of cream, pastry layers and shaved chocolate on top. Mandy was tempted, but didn’t take one for herself. She was much too full. Jill and Emma did though—they both loved their sweets. Emma often checked the dessert list when she went out before ordering dinner.
Mandy did, however, have a cup of coffee with a splash of Tia Maria which was a perfect dessert. Now that everything had been served, they could relax and take their time finishing up. She noticed that Matt and Billy seemed to be getting along well. Billy could talk to anyone. It came with his job, and Matt was easygoing so she’d had a feeling they’d have plenty to talk about.
“How’s the dessert?” she asked Matt.
“Very good. Do you want a bite?” He pushed his dish toward her but she shook her head.
“No, I’m good. I’m glad you liked it though.”
“I might take Billy out fishing this weekend. He said he’s never been ice-fishing before. I warned him that it’s cold this time of year, and there’s not many fish, but he doesn’t seem to mind. It’s not bad when we bundle up.” He looked excited to go and Mandy smiled. It didn’t sound at all fun to her. She hated being cold. “Well, you guys have fun.”
He laughed. “I know I’ll probably never get you out there, not this time of year anyway.”
“You’ve got that right.”
Billy had the rest of the table laughing as he told a funny story about one of his candidates and a recent search that they almost didn’t fill when Matt spoke softly so he wouldn’t interrupt the others.
“What are your plans for Christmas? Do you have the kids all day or do they go to their Dad’s too?”
“We were just talking about that the other day. I think the plan is that I’ll have them Christmas Eve and then he’ll have them for Christmas afternoon and night.”
“I’d like to have you over for dinner Christmas night, if that’s all right. Your sisters too. Everyone is welcome.”
Mandy thought about that for a minute. “Thank you. I definitely want to see you on Christmas too, but why don’t you come to my place instead? It might be easier as Emma and Paul were going to stop by after he sees his parents and I’m not sure exactly what time that will be.”
“Well, if you’re sure? I don’t want to invite myself.”
Mandy gave his hand a squeeze. “I want you there. Thank you for inviting all of us.”
Matt relaxed a little. “Okay. Keep my place in mind for New Year’s Eve then.”
Mandy laughed. “Sure, that’s a possibility.”
Gina’s hair was not cooperating. The cold weather seemed to make it take even longer to dry and she hadn’t cut it in a few months, so it was longer than usual, almost half-way down her back. And it was so thick and wavy that she usually only washed it a few times a week—it actually looked better on day two or three. But, she’d worked the night before and sometimes it seemed her hair smelled like the restaurant—not that Jared was likely to mind that, but she preferred the scent of freshly washed hair and her favorite green apple shampoo.
She’d just finally finished drying it when the phone rang and she was surprised to see it was Alex. It was still so strange to think the guy she’d once had such a crush on had moved to Nantucket and walked into her restaurant. And looked just as good as she remembered.
“Morning beautiful.” His voice was cheerful and she could picture him smiling.
“Hi Alex.”
“Are you still up for showing me that restaurant you mentioned? The Mexican place?”
“Millie’s. Yes, of course.”
“Great. What night is good for you next week? My schedule is wide open.” He laughed.
“I’m off Tuesday night.”
“Okay, Tuesday it is then. Do you mind picking me up? Or I could meet you somewhere downtown. Whatever works for you.”
“I’ll pick you up.” He gave her his address and she jotted it down.
“See you at six then?”
“Six is perfect. See you then, Alex.”
Gina was still smiling as she put the phone down and gave her hair a final brush. Just a week ago she’d been feeling down about the holidays and hadn’t had a date in weeks and suddenly she sort of had two lined up with very different guys—though she wasn’t really sure either was really a date, even though Connie seemed to think so. She hoped that Alex was interested, but she wondered if he was just looking for a friend to show him around. And Jared, as cute as he was, she wasn’t even remotely considering their afternoon at the stroll to be a date. Not in the slightest. But, she was looking forward to it, to seeing what all the fuss was about the stroll.
She added an extra layer, a warm, red cashmere sweater over a snuggly white turtleneck and her favorite soft jeans and black boots. A red hat, mittens and scarf, her long white wool coat and she was dressed and ready to go. She lived about a half-mile from downtown and decided to walk as she knew it was going to be mobbed and nearly impossible to park. Plus, she figured she could use the walk and it wasn’t too bad out. It was cold but sunny and there was no wind.
She left at a quarter to twelve and made her way toward downtown and the Straight Wharf restaurant which was at the beginning of Main Street. She was a few minutes early, but Jared was already there, leaning against the side of a building and watching the crowds. There were already throngs of people of all ages walking around.
Jared smiled and waved when he saw her. He was dressed warmly too in jeans, hiking boots, a hunter green down jacket, navy hat and sweater.
“You made it.” His eyes twinkled as he glanced up Main Street toward the group of carolers in front of the old-fashioned Nantucket Pharmacy. “Shall we go hear some carols and say hi to Connie?”