The Sunshine Potluck Society

Chapter 33

In Sunshine, it was the first date for Emily and Aaron. Emily was so nervous, she thought she might be sick. She hovered over the toilet, half-dressed. Then the feeling passed, and she continued dressing. She wore a pair of skinny jeans, a blush-coloured blouse and a pair of black leather flats.

She had no idea where Aaron might take her. Maybe she was underdressed. She should ask him where they were going. He was only in the next bedroom.

With her purse under her arm, she glanced in the bathroom mirror one last time. She’d curled her hair, and her makeup looked well done, if a little over the top. She always made her makeup too thick when she was nervous. Then she walked out the door and turned left to stand in front of Aaron’s shut door. She was a little early. Maybe she should wait.

She raised her hand and knocked. Then waited. What was she doing? This was embarrassing. She should’ve stayed in her room so he could come looking for her. Wasn’t that the right etiquette? She didn’t know anymore. Times had changed, and she rarely dated. She turned to leave, and his door swung open. He wore a pair of jeans slung low around his hips. His muscular chest was bare.

“Oh, hey,” he said. “I’m sorry. Am I running late?” He glanced at his watch.

“No, you’re fine. I’m a little early. I wanted to ask if I’m dressed okay, or should I wear something else?”

He smiled. “You look perfect. I’ll just throw on a shirt and some shoes, okay?”

She waited in the lounge room, her nerves abating a little as she drew several deep breaths. It was Aaron. She’d known him forever. They ate dinner together almost every night. But since he’d moved into Joanna’s house, she’d gotten to know him in a way she’d never thought possible.

They talked about everything and nothing. They laughed together, watched TV together. She was comfortable around him, something she didn’t think she’d ever be able to say about the high school bad boy who’d broken her heart all those years ago. They were friends. So why was she this nervous? Perhaps it was because she didn’t want to do anything to jeopardise that friendship. He’d fast become one of the most important people in her life. Maybe the most important, if she was being completely honest.

She didn’t have a lot of friends. And her family consisted of an extremely busy sister and her two small children. Everyone else lived so far away she rarely saw them. Joanna was her family now. And so was Aaron.

He drove her to a restaurant down by the water’s edge. It was a small seafood place with a great view over the beach and ocean. It was dark, but the moon glistened golden in a straight line from the horizon to the beach. They sat outside surrounded by soft lighting. The sounds of the ocean were their backdrop.

“This is nice. I haven’t eaten here in ages,” Emily said.

Aaron handed her a menu. “I know… I remember when it opened. It was so exciting.”

“There were hardly any restaurants on the island back then. Now we have dozens of them.”

“Dozens?” He laughed. “I guess you’re probably right. Although it still feels like such a tiny little community to me.”

They ordered their meals and some drinks. Emily got a French martini for something different, and Aaron chose a boutique local beer. Then the dishes arrived. She had the salmon, while he’d ordered a pasta with a mix of seafood and a creamy sauce.

“Want to try it?” he asked.

“Only if you don’t mind.”

“Of course. Why don’t we get an extra plate and we can share our meals?”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I like trying things. I’m sure you do too.”

They got the waitress’s attention and split their meals in half. Emily took a bite of the pasta and was immediately grateful.

“Do you like it?” he asked.

She nodded, still chewing. “It’s delicious. Thank you. How was work today?”

“I’m starting to enjoy it. And some of the people are pretty nice.”

“That’s good. Do you miss the military?”

“Every day,” he said. “But it was time for something new. Most of my mates had left already, and I was faced with starting again with an entirely new team or leaving.”

“What was the deciding factor?” she asked, then took a bite of salmon. It was moist and hot, and had been caramelised in a soy-and-honey sauce.

“I was ready to settle down. I want to get married, have a family. It’s something I’ve always wanted. But now I think I’m ready for it. What about you?”

Her heart skipped a beat. He’d changed so much since high school, she almost didn’t recognise him. Who was this man, talking about family and children? He wasn’t the sullen and popular jock, always up to mischief of some kind or another, who she remembered. “Same for me. It’s all I’ve ever wanted, really. I never much dreamed of a career. Only a family.”

He reached for her hand. Squeezed it.

“Sometimes people think it’s simple or not very ambitious. But I didn’t have a close-knit family growing up. It was just me and my sister. My Dad left, my Mum worked a lot. And so Wanda and I kind of leaned on each other. And I used to say, I can’t wait to have a family of my own. Because I’m going to love them and be there for them, and finally have the homelife I needed but never got.”

“That makes sense,” he said. “I had good parents, so I’m pretty lucky that way.”

“I’m scared to death I’ll be just like my parents were when it comes down to it. But I’m going to do everything I can not to be.”

“I can tell you’ll be a good mother. It makes me happy to see Gran doing so well. And a lot of that is because of you.”

Her heart swelled. “Thank you. That means so much to me. This job with her has meant the world. And I really do love it.”

“I can tell,” he said with a warm smile. “You’re good at it. So, how many kids do you want?”

She grinned. “I want a bunch of them.”

He laughed. “How many?”

“I don’t know. Four or five.”

“Five?”

She giggled. “Maybe four.”

“Do they make cars that fit five kids?”

She shook her head. “I have no idea. I think so. Don’t they have seven-seaters?”

“I guess that’s true. Five kids. Wow.”

“What about you?” she asked.

He smiled. “I love kids, so I’m open to having as many as possible.”

After they finished dinner, they walked along the beach hand in hand and talked about their hopes, dreams and plans for the future. The more they spoke, the more relaxed Emily felt. He was the person she most wanted to see each day. The person she wanted to share her troubles and victories with. When she thought about the future, she couldn’t imagine him not being in it. She hoped he felt the same way.

They ate gelato from a small place at the end of the beach, then wound their way back to the car on the footpath. Kids flew by on skateboards. Couples wandered between restaurants. The air was warm and smelled of salt and a mixture of foods.

When they got back to the house, Emily was giddy with happiness. It’d been a perfect romantic evening. Aaron knew just how to put her at ease. He’d made her feel special and yet relaxed. She was more herself with him than she’d ever been with anyone.

He stopped outside her bedroom. She turned to face him. “Thank you for a lovely evening.”

“You’re welcome,” he said. He moved closer and raised a hand to cup her cheek.

Her heart thudded against her ribcage. Was he going to kiss her? The only other time he’d kissed her had been at the kissing booth when she was a teenager. Her very first kiss. But now he was a man. His cologne was intoxicating. The touch of his hand on her skin made it tingle. He was very close now, hovering over her, his lips just above hers.

Then he was kissing her. His second hand cupped her other cheek now. He pulled her closer to him, deepening the kiss. And her arms wound their way around his neck. She stood on tiptoe, her eyes shut, as she was swept up in the passion of it. Her whole world stood still. Nothing else mattered but him, their kiss and this moment.