I needed that. It seems like I’ve needed a lot lately.”
Erika shook her head. “You haven’t needed much of anything.”
“I don’t know.” He smiled. “Lately, it felt like the fixer needed to be fixed.”
Erika giggled, and she saw Slade’s blue eyes darken a shade.
“What?” she whispered. “You’re looking at me . . . differently.”
“I just love the sound of your laugh,” he confessed.
The server came over and took their orders.
“Shoot.” Shannon popped up from her chair, staring at her phone. “There’s an emergency back at the salon.”
“What?” Erika stood up too. “Do you need me to come?”
Shannon shook her head and glanced toward the kitchen. “I’m going to get my chowder to go.”
Erika’s brow arched. “What kind of emergency lets you get takeout first?”
Shannon didn’t answer but hugged her sister and smiled at Slade. “I hope you two have fun tonight.” She winked at Slade before flashing a wicked grin at her sister.
Erika sat back down and watched her sneaky sister trundle off toward where the servers had congregated.
“Well, that couldn’t get any weirder.” Erika shook her head. “I don’t know what got into my sister tonight.”
“Salons can be dangerous places.” Slade lowered his voice and quickly looked around the restaurant. “Especially at this time of night.”
Erika chuckled. “Apparently. But usually, you can’t have any hair emergencies when the shop is closed.”
The server brought the chowders and side salads to the table while Shannon had already left with her sudden to-go order.
“So, it went okay with your parents?”
He let out a deep breath and nodded. “Better than okay, and I have you to thank.”
His eyes radiated kindness, and Erika shook her head slowly. “I had nothing to do with anything.”
“Not true.” He took a bite of the salad. “Oh, this is good.”
“Isn’t it? I love the croutons.”
He nodded and took another bite.
“I learned a lot,” he confessed. “And I might even begin to forgive myself.”
“That’s a big deal, Slade.”
Erika glanced around the bustling restaurant, and her gaze fell to the patio outside. It had been a long time since she’d been out with a man. Sure, she’d hung out with the North brothers over the years, and Scott was usually with her, but they didn’t count.
She turned her attention back to Slade and noticed him watching her.
He slid his hand to hers and squeezed it softly. “Your sister seems amazing even though we barely got to speak to each other.”
“She’s pretty incredible. I can tell her just about everything.” Erika stopped herself and looked down at her chowder.
“Just about?” he asked.
“Just about.” She nodded. “I haven’t really talked to her about Scott’s dad. I think my family expects that twelve years have gone by, so . . .”
Slade nodded. “It’s kind of like you told me, though.”
Her eyes stayed on his.
“You have to find a new way of living.”
She scowled at him and laughed. “You threw my own words at me to perfection.”
Slade laughed. “What can I say? They’ve been words I’ve been living by since you said them.”
Erika grinned. “Well, thanks for making me feel like what I have to say is important.”
“It’s more than important, Erika. Your words are life-saving.”
He smiled, but she noticed the sadness in his eyes.
And then it was gone.
“So, tell me about this woman you’re going to go on a date with.” Erika needed to change the subject. She didn’t like all the attention shifted to her. She wasn’t used to getting pelted with compliments.
Slade smiled even wider. “She’s pretty amazing. Gorgeous.”
“That’s a good start.” Erika nodded, trying to push away the ugly bits and pieces of jealousy that wanted to spring to life.
“She’s humble, kind, caring, and extremely compassionate,” he continued.
“Does she own a rescue shelter or something?” Erika teased, and Slade nodded.
“Just about. Something tells me she’s good with strays.”
Erika laughed. “Well, you’ll never know when that skill will come to use.”
“True enough.” He grinned.
“How’d you meet her?” Erika asked, reaching for a piece of French bread the server brought over. She dipped it into her bowl and tried not to get envious of the woman going on a date with Slade.
She probably could have dated him, however briefly, had she been open to it.
But she doubted she’d get the same reaction in Slade that this woman conjured for him. Just the mere mention of her, whoever she was, brought a twinkle to his eye that made her wish it was for her.
“The universe brought us together,” he confided.
“Not like the universe brought you and Penny together, I hope.” Erika chuckled.
“Well, in