Chapter Ten The Boxes #3
Crusty struggled to hear what she said. “Whaddya say?”
“Trying to decide where to go for dinner.” Hannah squeezed Charlie’s arm as if they were in on a little secret.
But it was the worst-kept secret in town.
Not that there was anything to be secretive of.
It seemed as if Madison and Viggo were the only ones who didn’t know something was going on between them!
Hannah had confided in Olivia one afternoon.
She could not understand why they hadn’t dated.
Olivia offered a plausible reason: maybe they both felt it was like getting involved with someone you work with.
If it goes wrong, it can become a very awkward situation.
It was a small community. Everyone knew everyone else.
What if Viggo and Madison started to get romantically involved and it didn’t work out?
“Awkward, right?” she finished her supposition.
Hannah agreed and never brought up the subject again. But Olivia knew the truth. Madison didn’t want to put herself in a vulnerable position. Olivia knew Madison didn’t like to be pushed into anything, so she limited her coaxing or mockery to when, and only when, Madison was open to it.
She and Madison were destined to be best friends from the time they were born.
Their mothers were as tight as two sisters, as were Madison and Olivia.
Olivia and Lincoln had been a similar situation.
They had loved each other since they were teens, but neither of them would make the first move.
It was Madison who gave her brother a tongue-lashing, telling him if he didn’t do something, he would lose the opportunity of having an incredible woman in his life.
So who was going to be the one to shove Viggo at Madison?
The choice was obvious. Lincoln should have a man-to-man talk with Viggo.
After all, Madison was his sister. He should take his friend aside and use the same logic his sister once used on him.
Olivia decided that would be the approach.
She felt quite satisfied with her idea. She planned on mentioning it to Lincoln after dinner.
Madison, Olivia, Lincoln, and Viggo worked seamlessly together in the kitchen. Viggo washed the clams, Madison prepared the broth, Olivia made the salad, and Lincoln set the table on the upper patio. It was well-choreographed.
Madison’s steamed clams didn’t disappoint.
The pasta was al dente, paired with a crisp Italian Fiano.
Olivia’s salad was a combination of lettuces from the farmers market, topped with crumbled goat cheese and cranberries.
The sourdough bread was the perfect sponge for the garlicky sauce.
Lincoln was sure to make his way through an entire loaf.
The conversation floated from local politics to Uncle Kirby and how the two could be connected somehow.
By the end of dinner, they all agreed there was no room for dessert.
But a digestif would be a good option. First, everyone took a chore, and the kitchen and patio were pristine in no time.
Then Lincoln pulled out a bottle of chilled limoncello and poured it into four cordial glasses.
They made their way back to the patio to wind down the evening.
It was another lovely night with clear skies. The Manhattan skyline was a twinkling white glow in the distance.
Diogo came wandering up the stone steps. It was his bedtime. He laid his snout on Viggo’s lap.
“Time to hit the sheets?” Viggo asked his pooch. Diogo thumped his tail in agreement.
Madison patted the dog’s head. “Mario and Luigi are way ahead of you.”
Viggo stood, followed by Lincoln, then Madison.
Olivia had spoken to Lincoln while they were cleaning and now was forcing a Jedi Mind Trick on her husband.
Say something! It seemed to work. Lincoln placed his hand on Viggo’s back as they exited the house.
Lincoln was aware of Madison’s proximity and quickly whispered, “Don’t blow it. ”
Viggo’s head snapped back and forth. “Huh?” Then it hit him. He said nothing in response since Madison was now right next to them. Lincoln stopped walking and let the two continue to the path without a chaperone.
“Thanks for dinner. Your clams were beyond phenomenal.”
“It was a group effort,” Madison replied. “I’m glad you enjoyed them. Heck, I’m glad you brought them!” She chuckled.
“Me, too.” Viggo took her hand and wove his fingers between hers. “Madison.”
“That would be me.” She smiled softly.
“You are an incredible woman. And you are special to me,” he finally admitted.
“I feel the same way,” Madison replied. Her breath was getting heavier with each passing second.
Viggo released her hand and placed both of his on either side of her face.
He tilted her head and kissed her gently on the lips.
She wrapped her arms around his firm shoulders, and they leaned into each other for a good long time.
It was the perfect ending of another beautiful and interesting night with Madison Wainwright.