Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Audrey paused in front of a shop window as she hurried down the sidewalk of Coral Sands’ main street.
In the bright early afternoon sunlight, she could see her reflection decently in the glass of the large picture window, and she turned back and forth a little, making sure her hair still looked good.
She’d pinned half of it up in a loose bun, something she didn’t normally do, and she was pleased to see that the hairstyle still looked fully intact and charmingly elegant.
At least I don’t have to worry about this dress wrinkling, she thought, smiling as she watched the skirt of her floor-length sundress ripple in the sea breeze that was wafting its way across the downtown of Coral Sands.
She’d chosen a semi-formal light pink sundress and gold sandals for her lunch date with Evan at Brasserie Belle.
She’d decided that it was the right amount of elegance for a lunch date at a fancy restaurant, and it was one of her favorite dresses.
She always felt chic and pretty in it—she had loved having any excuse to wear a long skirt ever since she was a little girl.
She had a sneaking suspicion that she liked long dresses because they made her feel like a princess, although she didn’t quite admit that to herself.
She noticed someone inside the shop watching her through the window, and she laughed, slightly embarrassed, and waved at them. They waved back, and she went on her way.
A few minutes later, she arrived at Brasserie Belle.
The restaurant, famous for its French-inspired cuisine, smelled heavenly, and she felt her stomach growl eagerly.
She told the hostess she was there to meet Evan McBride, and the young woman’s face flashed with sudden understanding when she heard his name.
Evan was famous around town, being the mayor of Coral Sands, and Audrey had a feeling that the fact that she was dating him made her slightly famous too.
Although she loved the idea, it also made her stomach flop with nervousness.
I guess that’s a good thing, though, she thought with a chuckle. After all, the more famous I am around town, the more famous The Birchwood House will be as well.
“He’s right back this way,” the hostess told her. “If you’ll just follow me.”
Audrey followed the hostess to the back of the restaurant, where Evan was already seated at a romantic two-person table placed in front of a window. It offered a breathtaking view of the ocean glittering in the sunlight, and Audrey’s heart caught in her throat when she saw it.
Her heart continued to ache in the best of ways when she looked at Evan. He was dressed in a gray suit, and he looked polished and handsome. He stood up as she approached him, giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek.
“Here,” he said, handing her a bouquet of pale pink spray roses. “These are for you. Turns out they match your dress.” His eyes warmed. “You look beautiful.”
“Oh, Evan, they’re lovely!” she exclaimed, thrilled by the gift. Impulsively, she lifted her face to his and kissed him. “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome,” he said, looking at her with shining eyes.
“You look very nice yourself,” she said, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious.
“Thank you.” Evan stepped over to her chair and drew it out from the table. She sat down in it, appreciating as she usually did what an old-fashioned gentleman he was.
Evan pushed in her chair and then sat down across from her.
They chatted amiably as they looked over their menus together.
Although she’d eaten there before, Audrey was overwhelmed by how many delicious options there were.
Part of the menu changed every week, and she saw several specials that sounded absolutely fantastic.
“What are you thinking?” she asked Evan.
“I think I’m going to order the Boeuf Bourguignon,” he said, looking up at her with a smile. “Do you know what you want to order yet?”
Audrey pressed her lips together for a moment, trying to decide what she wanted. “Yes,” she said, suddenly sure of what she would order. “I’m going to order the Coq au Vin even though I had it the last time I was here. I love bacon and mushrooms, especially with chicken.”
“Always nice to order something you know you’ll like,” Evan said, smiling at her.
He looks at me like he thinks the world of me, she thought, feeling her heart start to pound in her chest. Although she loved the way he was looking at her, it made her afraid in spite of herself.
It was like her nervous system associated romance with pain, and she couldn’t talk herself out of getting nervous every time she noticed Evan falling more deeply for her.
I’m sure I’ll get over that soon, she told herself.
It’s been getting better and better the longer we’ve been dating.
Now when I get scared, the feeling only lasts a little while, and it’s not as intense.
Their waiter took their food order and soon returned with a couple of glasses of wine for them. Audrey sipped hers with relish, knowing that the wine served at Brasserie Belle was always of a very fine quality.
“How are things going with all of your mayoral duties?” she asked.
Evan cleared his throat, which Audrey had long ago learned meant that he was nervous. She blinked, suddenly concerned that Coral Sands had some kind of problem, but then Evan said, “Everything’s been going well, and I would love to update you, but first I have something to discuss with you.”
Audrey’s stomach did a somersault, and she felt taken aback and suddenly nervous.
She clasped her hands in her lap, wondering what Evan was about to speak with her about.
She kept her expression open, however, trying to make sure Evan didn’t realize how nervous she felt.
He certainly appeared nervous enough himself without having to worry about her jitters as well!
“I’m listening,” she said, smiling at him.
Evan cleared his throat again and placed his palms on the table. A second later, he seemed to think better of the gesture and took them off the table again.
“Audrey,” he said finally, and by that time she could feel her own hands starting to sweat.
“Yes?” she said, as sweetly as she could. She felt breathless.
“We’ve been going on dates and thoroughly enjoying each other’s company for quite some time now,” Evan said, speaking slowly and carefully. “And I—well, I’m grateful for you.”
“I’m grateful for you too,” she said softly, and they shared a moment of tender eye contact. Feeling suddenly more jittery than ever, Audrey took a sip of her wine. As soon as she took her hand off the glass, Evan reached across the table and took her hand in his.
“I’m truly thankful that you moved back to Coral Sands, Audrey,” he told her.
“I don’t know what my life would be like without you—no, I do.
I absolutely do. I would still be bored and lonely, filling my days with endless work so that I didn’t have to think about how lonely I was.
” He shook his head, and she squeezed his hand.
“I’m less lonely because of you too,” she said softly.
He inhaled. “I understand that the destruction of your marriage was painful and that it’s been hard for you to let romance into your life again,” he said slowly.
“But I’m hoping that’s been getting easier for you, and that you’re feeling able to trust that my intentions are sincere.
I wanted to ask you if you would like to make things official between us. Would you be my girlfriend, Audrey?”
Audrey felt as though time had slowed down, or as though she was dreaming.
She could hardly process the fact that he’d just asked her that question.
It was something she’d been both wishing for and dreading for weeks.
She didn’t know how she was going to answer him, and her mind seemed to go totally blank for a few seconds as she blinked back at him.
Evan swallowed. “I’m sorry, I guess I shouldn’t have assumed—I mean, I’ve been loving spending time with you, but I guess we haven’t touched base for a while on how we were feeling about dating each other—”
“Oh, no, please don’t think that,” Audrey blurted, dismayed that he’d misread her hesitation so completely. “I’ve enjoyed getting to know you just as much. I always look forward to our dates, and it’s always wonderful to see you, and…”
She paused, scared of being vulnerable enough to express just how much she was starting to care for him.
“It’s not that at all,” she said slowly.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a while—us becoming official, I mean.
You’re right that the way my marriage ended has made things hard for me—harder than I thought it would be in a lot of ways, although starting to date again has been less terrifying than I thought it would be. ” She laughed lightly.
“I scare you?” Evan asked, looking stricken.
“No.” She took both his hands in hers and shook her head, smiling.
“Not at all. My nervous system is just scared of romance, and there’s nothing you can do about that.
You’ve already been doing everything you possibly could to reassure me, by being so patient and kind and supportive and dependable.
It’s just been hard for me to process the idea of dating someone officially.
I get scared at the thought, even though it is something that I want. ”
They shared a moment of eye contact, and Audrey felt as though a tingling sensation was traveling along her bloodstream. Alongside her fear, she felt a rush of happiness and excitement, and suddenly she knew just what her answer would be.
“Don’t worry,” Evan said, squeezing her hands gently. “I can continue being patient. If you’re not ready to commit to us being officially a couple, then that’s okay with me. I mean it, Audrey. If you’re willing to give me a chance, I’m determined to be as patient as you need me to be.”
Audrey’s eyes filled with happy tears and she shook her head.
“No?” Evan asked, looking dismayed again.
Audrey laughed breathlessly. “I need to be better about communicating with you,” she said.
“I’m shaking my head because I don’t need you to be patient about that anymore.
Just like starting to date required faith and courage on my part but it was the right choice, officially becoming your girlfriend is the right step for me right now.
I can feel it in my bones. You’re a wonderful man, and I would be crazy to pass by an opportunity to be yours officially. ”
“Really?” Evan stammered, his eyes shining. “Are you sure?”
Audrey nodded, a couple of her tears spilling out of her eyes and running down her cheeks, quick and warm. “I’m absolutely positive.”
Evan leaned forward across the table and kissed her tenderly. Audrey’s heart glowed with happiness, and she felt overwhelmed with relief.
I did know in the moment what my answer would be, she thought. It took courage, but I knew in my gut this was the right choice. Evan’s such a wonderful guy, willing to keep waiting for me like that, but I’m so glad I answered the way I did. I’m his girlfriend!
Evan’s eyes shone as he looked at her, and Audrey felt a wave of peace sweep over her. She still felt nervous about the big step that she’d just taken, but underneath it all she felt steady, and certain about the choice she and Evan had made together.
Their meals arrived in another few minutes, and they began to eat the delicious food, neither of them talking much.
They kept glancing up and making eye contact across the table, smiling as though they would never be able to stop.
Audrey felt light-headed and as giddy as a teenager who had just been asked out to prom for the first time.
“So,” Evan said finally, setting down his fork and picking up his glass of wine. “Tell me all about how things are going with The Birchwood House.”
“We’re nearly ready,” she said, feeling again the surge of excitement that she experienced every time she contemplated how close they were to opening the hotel.
“Although we just found out yesterday that there’s a window upstairs that desperately needs to be fixed.
Some of the wood in the lattice work has started to rot because it’s so old.
My mother is pretty sure it’s a safety violation, since one good gust of wind could potentially cause it to break, making the glass fall either inside or outside the house. ”
Evan took her hand and squeezed it. “I can help with that,” he said. “I’ve installed a few windows before. Just let me know when you’ve ordered the replacement, and I’ll come over and help you install it.”
“Really?” she asked, feeling a rush of gratitude.
“Of course,” he said with a firm nod and a heart-stopping smile. “I am your boyfriend after all.”