A Haven on the Bay - Nicole Ellis Page 0,37

enough of an effort to see each other. Eventually, it had just been easier to let their relationship go.

She grinned. “No problem. Sam just got out of a long-term relationship and isn’t looking for anything serious either. I think you should ask her out. Honestly, you’d be doing us all a favor. She seems a little lost after her breakup. She could use some fun, especially with a nice guy like you.”

A nice guy. He knew she’d meant it in a good way, but the words still stung. Was that all she thought of him? He quickened his pace. The faster they got to the Inn’s parking lot, the faster he could escape this conversation and drive home in peace.

She jogged to keep up with him. “Why are you so against having a little fun? Are you scared?”

He stopped and ran his hand over the top of his head, picking out a stray piece of hay. “No, I’m not scared.” The hay floated to the ground as Meg bounced impatiently, waiting for him to complete his thoughts.

When he didn’t continue, she said, “Look, I’m not trying to be annoying, but working in a restaurant is a high-pressure job. You need to have an outlet to blow off a little steam. That’s the only reason I mention it. You should do something outside of work.” She put her hand on his arm and he gritted his teeth to keep from thinking about it. “I didn’t realize until I started dating Theo how focused I was on work. It’s been good for me to get out of my comfort zone.”

Is that what her relationship with Theo was? A way to get out of her comfort zone? Were Meg and Theo not as serious as he’d thought? His eyes glazed over as he replayed everything she’d ever told him about her boyfriend.

“Hey. Are you okay?”

He shook his head to clear it. Meg’s relationship with Theo wasn’t any of his business.

“Yeah, I’m good. Talking about work reminded me that I need to submit our meat order for next week.”

She shot him a funny look, but didn’t question him. “See, I told you that you need to have some outside interests. On your day off, you shouldn’t be thinking about a meat order that’s a week away.”

He nodded. “You’re right.” He shouldn’t be analyzing his friend’s relationship either. “Check with your sister and find out if she’d be interested in going out with me. Maybe I do need a distraction outside of work, and it sounds like she could use some casual fun too.”

She nodded vigorously, the exertion flushing her cheeks so prettily that he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. “I’ll talk to her.” She gave him a quick hug that he didn’t see coming. “I think the two of you are really going to hit it off.”

He started walking again, trying to forget the feeling of her body pressed up against his. “I hope so.” His heart was obviously confused by their friendship, and meeting someone new could be the recipe for change that he needed so badly.

10

Meg

Make a roux with flour and butter, then add milk and chicken broth, Meg copied the instructions from the journal onto a 3x5-inch index card. She squinted to make out the rest of the recipe. Stir constantly until thickened. Golden Chicken seemed like a fairly simple recipe, but it wasn’t something she’d ever made before.

She, Zoe, Shawn, and Celia had decided months ago that they’d have a 1920s theme for the Inn’s grand opening, and she’d decided to prepare some of the recipes from the journal. It seemed like fate that she and Taylor had discovered the journal and its recipes just in time for the big event. Maybe the dishes she’d chosen to cook wouldn’t go over well with modern-day diners, but the vintage recipes would add a dash of flair and authenticity to the party. Besides, cooking the unfamiliar dishes took her mind off of the situation with the barn and gave her an opportunity to contribute something of her own to the grand opening.

Since she couldn’t cook in her own restaurant yet, her mom’s catering kitchen was the next best thing. Her mom and sisters would be in sometime after noon to start preparations for the rest of the food for the grand opening. Most of the food Willa Bay Provisions would be serving would be from their regular menu, but they’d also be offering the Golden Chicken, Baked Rice Milanaise, and