Chapter 8 #3
“Hey,” she greeted, noting he wore a crisp, button-down shirt of pale blue paired with khaki slacks. She caught the whiff of his cologne and noted that he must have shaved, seeing no stubble along his jawline. Her fingers itched to stroke his face, but she kept them firmly in her lap.
“Hey, yourself. Y’all look really nice.”
She grimaced at his words. “You’re totally using y’all wrong,” she told him. “Y’all is plural. There’s just one of me.”
Sullivan’s eyes glinted with mischief. “I’m just teasing you, Piper. Even I’ve gotten down the correct usage of y’all since I came to the Bay.” He glanced at her. “Your blouse is a pretty color. Like the color of bluebonnets. It really brings out your blue eyes.”
She blushed at the compliment. Most guys she had gone out with rarely noticed what she wore, but she supposed Sullivan, being an architect, was a man who always noticed details.
“Thank you. I love bluebonnet time in Texas. I’ve missed it.”
“I’ll miss it myself. I’ve never seen such a rich blue in a flower. It’s almost a purple-blue. And fields of them that go on and on. Their time blooming was pretty brief, but bluebonnets definitely made an impression on me.” He paused. “Just like you.”
Now, her cheeks burned. “Okay, Prepster. Quit laying it on so thick,” she chided gently. “You got your date with me tonight.”
They reached Backyard Bites and this time, she let him come around and open her door for her, liking his gentlemanly manners.
He didn’t take her hand, which was a good thing, but he did press his palm to the small of her back in order to guide her to the front door.
The warmth burned through her clothing, and she licked her lips, thinking about if he slipped that hot hand under her blouse.
Sullivan opened the door for her, and Piper entered the familiar restaurant.
It was three-quarters full at the moment.
The Bay did a good job of supporting local merchants, and that included restaurants and bars.
Of course, on a Friday night during the summer, the line at this time would already be out the door.
There were advantages to being in the Bay during the off-season.
The hostess, who looked like a high school student, greeted them and seated them in a booth. They had just opened their menus when Betty Chastain appeared. Piper stood and hugged the restaurant’s owner.
“Ty told me he saw you today,” Betty said. “I’d heard you’d come back to the Bay when your mama and daddy were in here two nights ago. They were bursting at the seams to have you here again.”
“It’s good to see you, Betty. And yes, they are very happy this bird has returned to the roost. Do you know Sullivan Shepherd?”
Betty smiled. “I sure do. Sullivan has been a good customer while he’s been in town. Nellie is beside herself, knowing you’re leaving soon.”
“Well, Zane will be here before she knows it. Then she’ll have her real grandson to dote on and not her substitute one.”
“Sit, honey,” Betty told Piper. “What can I bring you to drink?”
“Just iced tea for me,” she replied, and Sullivan asked for the same.
“Coming right up. Your server will be with you soon.”
They enjoyed an appetizer of the spinach artichoke dip Piper had missed so much, and Sullivan said he was a convert to it. They each ordered burgers, bacon cheddar for him and Swiss mushroom for her. They agreed to share a basket of fries, which would have fed at least one more person if not two.
“That was a great meal,” she said when they had finished and were waiting for their check.
“Agree. Actually, I haven’t had a bad meal in the Bay,” he said. “Do you have room for dessert?”
“I wish. What I do need is that walk you promised.”
“Good. Would you mind walking along the beach? I see your ever-present boots were left behind this evening.”
“I didn’t think sand and boots mixed very well.”
He handed his credit card to their server. She ran it and handed Sullivan the small machine for him to place a tip and sign the bill, giving him a copy of his receipt. They waved to Betty on their way out the door.
“So, she’s Tyler’s mom,” Sullivan said as they left Backyard Bites. “That means Ben from the Pelican Porch next door is his dad.”
She nodded. “Ty grew up around the food business, so it didn’t surprise anyone when he announced he wanted to be a famous chef in fifth grade.
I knew he’d gone to culinary school in Paris after he graduated from high school, but he was a year ahead of me.
I was focused on all my activities senior year, and then I went away to college.
Ty is just one of the friends I lost touch with. It’s great he’s back in the Bay.”
He threaded his fingers through hers, walking toward the water.
Piper’s heart sped up at the touch. She hadn’t felt this giddy since her first kiss in eighth grade.
Sullivan really appealed to her physically.
It didn’t hurt that he was also smart and kind.
She warned herself silently not to get too attached to him.
And had a feeling that caution would fly out the window if he kissed her again.