“Hi, Noah,” I answered. I ran a hand over my hair, hoping that it wasn't a total disaster. I hadn't planned on meeting a handsome man on a private beach when I left the house this morning. “How are you?”
“Doing great now,” he replied. His eyes twinkled as I stood up and brushed the sand from my legs. I wasn't sure if it was just my imagination or if there was an extra warmth in his smile that was just for me. “How about you?”
“Just getting some reading done.” I nodded toward the book on my towel. “I have the day off, so I'm just taking it easy. What are you up to today?”
“Just wandering around. Seeing the sights of the island.” A thoughtful expression crossed his face, a slight hint of a smile tilting his lips upward. “Would you be interested in some breakfast? There's a little diner down the road that I saw on my way in, and I wanted to try it.”
“You mean Adele’s? It's fantastic!” I might have sounded too eager, but I didn't care. “Heck yeah, I'm in for breakfast!” I grinned and bent to pick up my stuff. Noah reached for my book as I rolled the towel back up to fit in my bag. Our hands brushed as he gave it to me, sending a warm heat surging through my core.
Once my bag was packed, Noah offered me his arm as though he were escorting me to a ball rather than down a beach. I giggled and took it, feeling like a princess. His arm was solid and warm beneath my fingers. I was glad I was looking forward and he couldn't see me clearly, because a silly grin and a blush were coating my face.
“Hey, Izzy,” Adele, the owner, called out as Noah and I walked into the small restaurant. I waved a hello as the door chimed behind us and I went to claim my favorite table. The restaurant was brightly colored and decorated with pink flamingos and parrots. It screamed tourist attraction, but Adele made it homey and warm. I sat down at my favorite table by the window, and Noah followed my lead.
“You've been here a few times, I take it?” he asked with a smile. I laughed.
“Yup. Dom over there owns the bar I work at on weekends, and Adele is his wife. The bar is right next door. This is my favorite place to get breakfast.” I slid him a menu. “If you like French toast, Adele makes it from cinnamon rolls.”
“Cinnamon rolls? I'm sold. I'm having that.” Noah set the menu down and grinned.
“Yeah, it's my favorite. That or the banana-nut crepes.”
“Okay, now you're making me rethink my first choice...” He reached for the menu. I put my hand on his to stop him, feeling a quiver in my stomach at his touch.
“Go with the Cinnamon Roll French Toast. Tomorrow you can come back and get the crepes. Or for dinner. Adele serves breakfast all day.” I let go of his hand and sat back into my chair.
“This island just keeps getting better and better!” Noah laughed.
Adele came over in her yellow plaid apron and pale yellow dress. I always thought she was what a grandmother should look like. She was all warm curves, hugs, and smiles. It was part of the appeal of eating at Adele’s. Not only was there amazing food, but it felt like I was always getting spoiled by a favorite relative by coming there.
“What can I get you folks?” Adele asked.
“Two of my usual. Bacon and scrambled eggs on mine, please,” I replied politely.
“Scrambled eggs and sausage links for me. And coffee,” Noah added.
“You got it. It'll be right out,” Adele promised, taking our menus and bustling off to the kitchen. It was slow now that the breakfast rush was over. The normal waitress must have been on break, so Adele was probably playing both waitress and cook.
“So, what do you do, Noah? Other than tend bar?” I asked, trying to start a conversation.
“I buy distressed properties,” he said. A light went out in his blue eyes, like this wasn't something that he enjoyed discussing.
“That sounds... interesting.” I was surprised at his lack of enthusiasm. Most people were eager to tell others about their work and what they did.
“Not really. It's actually quite boring,” Noah replied, his voice flat. Adele reappeared at our table with a fresh pot of coffee and poured us each a steaming mug. She left the carafe along with a small pitcher of cream. I eagerly added some to my coffee and poured some sugar in as well. Noah took his black.
“You must be good at it,” I said once Adele had left.
“Good at what?” Noah looked at me confused, his dark brows meeting in the center of his forehead.
“Distressed properties.”
“What makes you think I'm good at it?” His voice held no emotion, and his eyes were blank. He took a sip of his coffee.
“Because no one who is friends with Jack Saunders would be able to do something badly.”
Noah frowned slightly. “So you know who Jack is?”
“My roommate adores those tabloid magazines. If she knew that 'New York's most eligible bachelor' was in town, she'd flip her lid.” I played with my coffee mug and then looked up at him. “I actually didn't even recognize him until I went home and saw him on the cover of one of her magazines. I am so out of the celebrity loop. If it hadn't been laying on her bed, I never would have made the connection.”