A Haven on the Bay - Nicole Ellis Page 0,3
waitress. “You okay?”
She tried to smile, but her lips quivered.
“What’s wrong?”
She gestured to their surroundings. “They’ve done such a great job here. I don't know if I can pull off the same thing at the Inn.”
“I'm sure you'll be fine.” He smiled, but his tone was dismissive. He pointed at her menu. “Did you decide what to order yet? Our waitress will be back soon.”
“Uh, no. Not yet.” She would have liked to discuss the apprehension she was feeling about starting a new restaurant, but he didn't seem interested in doing so. She grabbed the menu and selected the first thing that appealed to her: a plank-grilled salmon and a side of asparagus with a balsamic reduction.
The waitress reappeared as soon as Meg set her menu down on the table. “Hello,” she said. “My name is Paula. Have you decided what you’d like, or do you need a little more time?”
“I think we’re ready.” Theo grinned up at her. “I’m going to have the ten-ounce sirloin.” He gave the waitress the particulars, then Meg relayed her order. When she was finished, he added, “Oh, and we’re celebrating her birthday tonight. Do you have anything special for dessert?”
Paula beamed at them. “We certainly do. I’ll make sure to bring out our special complimentary birthday dessert after you’ve completed your main course.”
“That would be wonderful.” He smiled at her again. “Thank you so much, Paula.”
She blushed slightly and nodded. “It’s my pleasure.” She spun around and walked quickly back into the restaurant.
Meg stared at Theo. “My birthday isn’t until February.”
He shrugged. “I know, but they don’t know that.” He reached for her hand. “You seemed a little down tonight, so I thought you could use some cheering up.”
Her stomach flip-flopped. On one hand, she didn’t like lying to the restaurant staff. On the other, it had been a thoughtful gesture on his part and showed that, while he wasn’t terribly interested in her concerns about her planned restaurant, he’d picked up on the stress she was experiencing.
She forced herself to smile. “Thanks.”
“No problem.”
They chatted for about thirty minutes until the food arrived. After a delicious dinner that lived up to the wonderful reviews, the waitress brought out a small chocolate lava cake topped with vanilla ice cream, and two spoons. A red candle perched atop it like a lighthouse, signaling to everyone that it was supposedly Meg’s birthday. The flame flickered as several other members of the waitstaff joined their waitress at the table to sing a slightly off-key rendition of Happy Birthday. Meg’s face burned. By the end of the song, she was sure her cheeks glowed as brightly as the candle.
They left, and Theo burst into laughter. “You should see yourself. You were pressed so tightly against your chair that I thought you’d disappear into it.”
Meg glared at him and took a deep breath, then reminded herself he was only trying to cheer her up. “I’m not big on public attention.”
He waved a hand in the air. “Eh, it wasn’t a big deal.” He took one of the spoons and held it over the dessert. “Are you willing to share?”
Meg sighed. “Of course.” She picked up her own spoon and sampled the rich chocolate cake mixed with just the right amount of creamy, vanilla bean-specked ice cream. By anyone’s standards, it was excellent, but she couldn’t eat more than a few bites.
“You don’t like it?” Theo gestured to the cake.
“I liked it. I’m just full.” Her face had cooled, but her stomach was still unsettled from all of the attention on her fake birthday. “Go ahead and take the rest if you want.”
His eyes widened and he reached for the plate. “I’m not going to pass up that offer.”
She leaned back in her chair, trying to enjoy the beautiful evening. The sun hung low in the sky but wouldn’t set for over an hour. The puffy clouds floating above it would make for a breathtaking sunset over the bay.
She straightened in her seat. “Hey, do you want to see the barn at the Inn?” For some reason, in all the time they'd been dating, she’d never shown him the barn. Once he saw it, he’d have a better understanding of what she was trying to do with the place.
He looked up from a spoonful of melting ice cream. “The one you’re going to turn into a restaurant?” He shrugged. “I guess so.”
They finished their meal and drove back to Willa Bay. Meg pulled into a space in the Inn’s parking