Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
Cece closed the door behind her and leaned back against it for a second, catching her breath.
She felt sweaty and gross, but also slightly self-righteous.
Exercise class had been brutal—the kind where the instructor smiled while plotting your demise—but she’d survived and felt stronger for it.
She didn’t mind the ache. Tonight, she wanted to feel flushed and alive.
Because she had a date. With Joe. She grinned. He might be the most amazing man she’d ever known. She hoped he enjoyed the restaurant she’d picked out.
It had great reviews and was supposed to be a hidden gem.
All she had to do was pull herself together.
He’d insisted on picking her up, which gave her about an hour to get ready.
Normally more than enough time for her, but she was going for glam.
Not her usual look, but she was trying to up her game.
She dropped her gym bag to the floor with a thud, and kicked off her sneakers, then carried her purchases from Queenies into the bedroom with her. She’d gone there before the fitness center just to see what they had and ended up buying a few things. Pricey, but hopefully worth it.
She put everything on the bed, then sat for a moment and read Natalie’s excited texts again.
Mom, I can’t believe Joe said he’d take my case. He’s amazing. He listened to me, answered all my questions and gave me HOPE. I can’t thank you or him enough.
Cece hugged the phone briefly to her chest. That was worth every dime this dinner cost her and more. To have her daughter happy and hopeful again was major.
Joe had stepped in with a calm strength and a wealth of experience that impressed Cece more than she could say. She felt like her heart had been waiting for good news and, finally, it arrived in abundance.
She glanced at herself in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed from endorphins. Or maybe overexertion. Either way, she was in desperate need of a shower.
She cranked on the water, shed her workout clothes, and got in. The hot water felt like heaven. She lathered up and wondered what Joe would think of her new dress. She’d been pretty casual around him so far, but she’d told him this was a slightly more dressed up evening.
He’d probably be in Tommy Bahama again. She didn’t mind. He looked good in those clothes. That beach-bum-with-money vibe suited him.
She got out, dried off, and moisturized her entire body. Then she started on makeup, using the things Blaise had shown her. Once she was happy with that, she did her hair with more care than usual.
She was pleased with the results, but she felt like she was missing something. She dug around in her makeup case, which didn’t hold a whole lot, but she found a palette Natalie had given her for Christmas.
There was a whole array of lip colors she’d yet to touch. Should she try a little color? That berry one was nice. She tapped some onto her finger, then patted it on her lips.
It was more color than she was used to, but it brightened up her entire face. In fact, it made her feel a little braver. And tonight called for brave. Tonight, she wanted to impress Joe.
That was the whole reason she’d bought the new dress.
She didn’t wear a lot of dresses. They always felt so fancy to her. But this tropical print she’d found appealed to her. And it hadn’t looked bad when she’d tried it on. It was wishful thinking, she knew, but she felt like maybe the exercise and better eating were working already.
Probably not possible in the short amount of time she’d made those changes, but she was going with it.
As she laid out her dress and admired the bold print against the navy-blue background, she felt an unfamiliar flutter low in her stomach.
Not nerves. Excitement.
Bowling had been laughter and finding out who each other was. The boat ride had been a sunset kiss that had leveled things up. And dinner tonight? This was her turn to treat him, to say thank you for fighting for Natalie but also for making Cece feel wanted, seen, and like she mattered again.
She slipped on her dress, picked out the right jewelry, and selected some sandals. She checked the clock. Joe would be here in a few minutes. More than enough time to enjoy the anticipation of what was to come.
Cece took one last look in the mirror and smiled at the woman looking back. Confident. Pretty. Ready.
“Yes,” she whispered to her reflection. “I look good.” She tried to own that and really believe it. Usually, it wasn’t so easy, but tonight, she could nod her head and smile. She did look nice.
Cece gave her hair one last fluff just as the knock sounded.
Perfect timing, leaving no chance for second-guessing.
She smoothed the flattering dress that flowed just past her knees and was pleased she’d made the trip to Queenie’s.
She’d always thought that boutique was the sort of place you’d shop if you had somewhere special to go.
She’d been right, because tonight was special.
She opened the door to find Joe standing there, freshly shaved, wearing a navy sport coat that made his eyes look impossibly blue. His smile bloomed the moment he saw her.
“Wow,” he said, and it wasn’t a casual wow. It was a stopped-in-his-tracks wow. “You look…stunning.”
Heat flushed through her. “Thank you,” she said, unable to stop her happy smile. “You clean up nicely yourself.” He’d paired the sport coat with a cream linen shirt and pants.
“You said dress up.”
“I approve.”
He offered his arm, old-school and charming. “Ready?”
She locked the door and slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow, savoring the warmth there.
As they headed toward his car, he asked, “So where are we headed this evening?”
Cece took a breath of confidence. “It’s a semi-new place. Yellow Fish. Supposed to have incredible seafood, great art, and live music.”
Joe raised his brows appreciatively. “I’ve heard about how hard those reservations are to get. ‘Impossible’ is usually the word.”
Cece grinned. “Good thing I have connections.” She’d reviewed the restaurant for The Buzz a month ago and the owner had been very pleased with her writeup. He’d told her to call if she needed anything, and she had after her internet search had popped Yellow Fish up as the top selection.
“Remind me never to underestimate you,” he said, chuckling as he opened the car door for her.
Inside, the car smelled faintly of something warm and masculine. Joe slid in behind the wheel and started the engine, then glanced her way with more seriousness now.
“Before we get too far into the evening, thank you again for trusting me with your daughter’s case,” he said. “I had a great talk with her today and I’m already putting a plan together.”
Cece reached for his hand, fingers brushing his knuckles. “I should be thanking you. You’re doing something huge for my family. I’ll make sure you’re compensated fairly. Just tell me what you think the fees will be so I can—”
Jonas shook his head gently, cutting her off. “Cece, I don’t want your money.”
“Well, Natalie can’t really afford to—”
“I don’t want her money, either. I’m doing this for free.”
She blinked. “But your time—your expertise—this is real legal work.”
“It is,” he agreed. “And I’m choosing to give it to you. Consider it my gift to your family. To Natalie and Tyler.”
Her throat tightened. This was so much more than she’d expected. Just him taking the case was a gift. “I don’t want to take advantage of you.”
“You’re not.” His hand turned palm-up beneath hers, inviting connection. “You needed help. And I want to help.” He gently squeezed her hand. “That’s what this is about.”
Cece’s eyes stung, her emotions rising too fast to hide. “Thank you, Joe. Truly.”
He gave her a quiet, reassuring smile that made him so attractive she could barely stand it. “Dinner and time with you is more than enough thanks.”
She swallowed, her heart full. “Then you should know, dessert is on me, too.”
He laughed, a rich sound that filled the car and made her smile. “Well, then,” he said, shifting into Drive, “I’d better get Natalie the most amazing deal in divorce history.”
As they pulled away toward the glowing strip of town lights, Cece settled back into her seat appreciative, humbled, and maybe falling a little harder than she’d planned. Was Joe for real? How was a man this good still single?
Yellow Fish shimmered with energy the moment they stepped inside.
It was bright and colorful but thankfully not loud or chaotic, just alive.
The walls were lined with all kinds of interesting artwork, everything from bold mosaic panels of jellyfish to neon watercolor sunsets, each piece with a little price tag tucked neatly beneath it.
The air smelled of lemon, fresh herbs, and grilled seafood, and a trio on a small stage played a mellow acoustic set with a soft harmony.
Joe nodded. “This is great. I love the music.”
“I thought you would.” Cece felt herself relax even further. She’d chosen well.
A hostess in a colorful top and black pants greeted them with a warm smile. “Good evening, folks. How can I help you?”
Cece leaned in. “Reservation for Davenport?”
The hostess confirmed, then led them to a small corner table near a painting of a turquoise sailboat drifting into a tangerine horizon. Cozy, private, perfect.
Joe helped push her chair in, his hand grazing her shoulder. The tiny point of contact gave Cece a big flutter.
“This place is out of sight,” he said, taking in the artwork. “I already feel more hip and cool.”
“I don’t think you could get any hipper or any cooler.” Cece laughed as she unfolded her napkin. “Also, don’t let the ambiance intimidate you. They still serve hush puppies.”
“Then my dignity is safe,” he said, eyes crinkling in amusement.
They ordered. Pecan-crusted grouper for Cece and blackened snapper for Joe. They shared a basket of the promised hush puppies while they waited. The music drifted lazily through the air like waves on a calm tide. It was almost hypnotic.
Joe glanced around again, then leaned in a little closer. “How did you settle on this place? I couldn’t love it more.”
Cece grinned. “I reviewed it for The Buzz a while back. It’s how I got the reservation. The owner liked what I wrote and told me to call him anytime.”
“You really are connected,” he said, smiling into his iced tea.
“Told ya.” She studied him in the complimentary light. He was so relaxed and comfortable with himself in a way that must have taken years. She needed to learn that, too. And yet, here he was. With her.
“I know I said thank you already, but it means a lot that you took Natalie’s case,” she said quietly, still blown away by his generosity.
His gaze softened. “I meant what I said earlier. Helping good people feels right. And you’re very good people, Cece. All the way through. I hope you know I’m considering this an investment in us.”
His words touched her with a warmth and sincerity that settled right in the center of her chest and curled up there. It was like a lighter version of snuggling with Peanut.
She reached across the table to take his hand. “I’m really glad I ran into you on the beach that night,” she said.
He smiled and turned his palm to meet hers, fingers sliding between hers in an easy, confident way. “That was the best accident I’ve ever had.”
The music shifted into a gentle love song, not too on-the-nose, but perfect all the same.
The restaurant glowed with candlelight and the feeling of two people leaning into something neither of them wanted to resist.
Cece couldn’t remember when she’d been happier.