Claiming Holly (Holiday Cove 1)

“Two fish and chip platters, with slaw and macaroni salad.” I turned at the announcement and saw an elderly gentleman carrying a tray loaded with food. My mouth dropped open, wondering just how much Jack expected me to eat.

“Thank you, Joe,” Jack said, pushing his drink out of the way to make room for the dishes.

“Of course, of course.” The man backed up a step when the food was situated. “Anything else? A refill, young lady?”

I eyed my glass, startled to find it was nearly empty. It had been so delicious and refreshing that I’d downed it faster than I’d anticipated. “Uhm...”

Jack nodded. “My treat.”

“Okay.”

Joe smiled at us and promised to return shortly with a fresh drink and some extra napkins.

“Wow, this looks amazing,” I said, returning my attention to the food. The fish was beer battered perfection, crispy and golden brown. The fries were piled high and still steaming, fresh from the fryer. And the side dish bowls of slaw and a cold macaroni salad were equally overflowing.

“Joe’s the best. Come on, dig in.”

I picked up my fork and started in on the first piece of fish. “How’d you find this place?”

“Player, that’s my buddy, Aaron I’m staying with—his dad used to bring us out here. He and Joe served together. When Joe got out, he opened this place. So, whenever I’d come out to visit Player and his dad, we’d all come here to eat.”

“That’s really cool.” I popped the first bite into my mouth and pressed my fingertips to my lips to keep myself from moaning as the butter smooth fish inside the crispy coating practically melted on my tongue. The mix of flavors and textures was food nirvana.

“Good, huh?” Jack asked, grinning, before taking his own bite.

“Perfection. I’m definitely moving in.” I craned around in my seat and pointed at a couple of trees. “I think I could get a hammock over there.”

He laughed and patted the corner of his mouth with a paper napkin. Joe returned minutes later with a fresh drink for each of us and another stack of napkins.

The sun was starting to set by the time we finished the meal. The two drinks warmed me from the inside out, and with a full belly and the soft, setting sun, I relaxed in my chair, weighted down and sleepy.

Princess and Hunter had been called in to help us finish the meal and were still parked at the end of the table, waiting to see if there were more scraps to come. Jack snapped his fingers and Princess trotted over to sit beside him. Hunter followed and took the same posture. Jack and I chuckled at his attentive behavior. “I think you’re gonna have to take him home with you. It can be puppy boot camp.”

“Only if you’re coming too.” Jack smiled over at me, a mischievous quirk to his lips, and I flushed. “I’m just teasing, Holly.”

“I know,” I replied, ducking my chin.

Jack braced his elbows on the table, leaning in closer. “I do want to see you again. What are you doing tomorrow?”

I faltered, quickly trying to concoct some type of plan that would make it impossible to see him again. We’d had a wonderful afternoon together. He was easy to talk to, laid back, and very friendly. Not to mention the part about him being the sexiest man I’d ever had dinner with. But I didn’t want to get too carried away, and I knew that if I continued seeing him, there was a very good chance that was what would happen.

“I’ve had a perfect time today.” He reached for my hand that was resting on my side of the table, my fingertips still pressed against the glass that contained the foamy remnants of my second drink.

I watched his fingers as they came to rest on the back of my hand. I didn’t pull away, but looked up, searching his eyes for a hint of what it was that he wanted. Was he looking for a casual fling while he was on vacation? Somehow, I doubted it. If that’s all he was after, he would’ve been sitting in the bar I’d spotted him at the night before.

But if that wasn’t his goal, then what was he after? He’d told me over dinner that he lived in Northern California, which was several hours away from Irvine. At least by car. Surely, he wasn’t looking at this as the beginning of a long-term relationship.

“We should probably get going back to the car. It’s going to be dark soon.” I put my hands in my lap, out of Jack’s reach.

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’ll settle the bill.”

“Oh, right.” I pulled a small wad of cash from my pocket. “Here,” I said, handing him a twenty. “Will this cover it?”

Jack shook his head. “It’s on me, Holly.”