Chapter 9 #2
“Thank you.” Audrey’s eyes shone at him. “You look pretty handsome yourself.”
He smiled at her and opened the passenger car door for her.
Evan was always doing gentlemanly things like that for her.
Audrey had learned a while ago that he was an old soul who liked to do everything by the book—and he operated by a book that was much older than the one most men were referring to.
His fussiness quickly turned into tenderness when it came to treating her like a princess, and she was appreciating it more and more.
They drove to the Bluewater Bistro and parked in the small adjoining parking lot. A breathtaking sunset was lighting up the western sky in pinks and oranges, and on the eastern horizon, a velvety blue twilight offered glimpses of the first evening stars.
“Such a lovely night,” Audrey said as they walked to the front door together.
The evening felt romantic in a way none of their other dates had.
She didn’t know if it was just the beautiful atmosphere and the fancy dress she was wearing, or if her feelings were becoming stronger.
She almost felt as if she was holding her breath.
She wanted to hold Evan’s hand, but she didn’t want to move their relationship along too quickly.
They’d held hands sometimes, but it wasn’t something they did all the time.
Evan held the front door of the restaurant open for her, and they stepped inside. The Bluewater Bistro was fragrant with the savory smells of garlic, onions, and cream. Audrey sniffed the aromas of sizzling meats eagerly, suddenly ravenously hungry despite her jittery nerves.
They soon were seated at an intimate table in the corner, surrounded by flickering candles and near to a water fountain that was creating a soothing music with its trickling sounds.
Oh, this is very romantic, Audrey thought, looking out across the dimly lit restaurant. She turned to look at Evan and felt her stomach do a somersault. I wonder if he’s going to ask me to be his girlfriend.
Her blood started to rush in her veins at the thought. What would she say, if he asked her something like that outright? Would she say yes?
“How is the progress on The Birchwood House going?” Evan asked her after they’d both ordered glasses of Chardonnay. “It certainly looks ready from what I saw earlier tonight.”
“Oh, thank you.” She smiled. “It is really coming along. There are so many little things that need to get done. We want to make sure we’re completely ready before we officially declare ourselves to be open.”
“Makes sense.” Evan nodded. “I think that’s wise. You wouldn’t want to open the hotel and then have to do a lot of flying by the seat of your pants.”
Audrey laughed at his use of what she considered to be an old-fashioned phrase.
“We definitely shouldn’t have to do that.
And!” She remembered their idea to partner with another business with excitement.
“Mom was thinking that she wanted to be able to offer our guests something special and she had the idea to partner with Townsend’s Bakery.
That way we could both advertise each other, and we could buy baked goods from Townsend’s for our guests at The Birchwood House. ”
“That sounds like a wonderful idea,” Evan said, sounding enthusiastic. “Townsend’s is a well-established Coral Sands business, but many tourists don’t know what a gem that place is. I think a business partnership could be a fantastic set up for both of you.”
She nodded. “I think it was a stroke of genius. We haven’t run the idea by Shep yet, but I know we’re all hoping he says yes.”
Evan nodded. “I expect he will.” He looked as though he was about to say something else, but at that moment their wine arrived and they placed their food order. Audrey ordered the salmon special, and Evan ordered a steak with a side of mashed potatoes and broccoli.
“What can I say,” he said with a laugh. “I know what I like.” His eyes lingered on Audrey as he said it, as if he was thinking of how much he liked her.
“Nothing wrong with that,” she said, smiling back at him and feeling her heart flutter slightly.
“Have you heard of our county’s Up-and-Coming Business Sponsorship Contest?” he asked.
Audrey’s eyebrows lifted curiously. “No, I haven’t heard about it. It’s a contest for new businesses in the area?”
Evan nodded. “It’s an opportunity for new businesses to receive a financial boost and gain useful exposure to the state as a whole. Even if you don’t win, being one of the contestants can alert people to the fact that your hotel exists.”
“That sounds great.” Audrey’s quick mind and eager determination were already both energized by the news. “I’ll definitely suggest to my mom that we enter the contest.”
“I’m glad.” Evan smiled tenderly at her. “I want to make sure you have every opportunity to succeed.”
She reached across the table and took his hand, squeezing it gently.
“Thank you for always being so supportive of me, Evan. Ever since I started this new chapter in my life, you’ve been there for me.
You’ve gone above and beyond the call of duty for me every time, even before we were dating.
And it means a lot to me. I just wanted to make sure that you know that. ”
Evan ran his thumb along the back of her hand. “I’m so grateful that you came here to Coral Sands and that I have the privilege of walking beside you as you begin your new adventures.”
Audrey felt a surge of gratitude as well, and she wanted to tell him how much he meant to her.
As soon as she opened her mouth, however, she felt something in her hesitate.
She didn’t feel ready to tell Evan exactly how she was feeling about him, and she still felt as though she needed to take their relationship slowly.
She felt vulnerable and, despite how kindly he treated her, scared of getting her heart broken again.
She felt as though all she could do was take their relationship forward in tiny baby steps.
I hope he’s okay with taking things slowly like this, she thought. I feel worried that he might get exhausted with having to be so patient with me.
She remembered what Michelle and Elaine had urged her to do—just enjoy the time that she got to spend with Evan and not to overthink things too much.
After all, it was clear that he was also having a good time.
She trusted Evan to tell her if he was starting to struggle with how slowly their relationship was progressing.
But what if he does ask me to become his girlfriend? she thought, biting her lip. What will I say to him?
She felt torn in two directions at once, and she didn’t have an answer to the question.
She wanted to date Evan officially, and be his girlfriend, but she felt something holding her back.
She didn’t know if it was her gut telling her that she needed more time, or if it was her fear making her hold back from something good that she should be using her courage to seize with both hands.
The uncertainty made her uncomfortable, but a moment later when she looked up into Evan’s smiling brown eyes, all of her discomfort melted away.
I won’t worry about it, she thought. When he asks me, then I’ll have to make a decision.
I won’t worry about it until that moment happens.
Maybe he’ll ask me tonight and maybe he won’t.
Maybe he’ll keep giving me more time, and by the time we talk about it, I’ll know for sure what my answer will be.
She felt a wave of peace sweep over her, and she was determined to enjoy the evening ahead of her. She was delighted by how romantic it all was, and she considered that to be a very good sign that when Evan did ask her to be his girlfriend, she was going to be ready to say yes.