Christmas at Evergreen Inn (Jewell Cove 4)

She shook her head, but her smile softened as a warm feeling of tenderness came over her. It wasn’t just the attraction. She genuinely liked him. “I don’t because you know who you came with, and I know you’re a gentleman. I don’t feel jealous, Todd. I feel lucky.”

His gaze warmed and he slid his hand across the table, linking his fingers with her. “Wow.”

She gave a tiny shrug. “Just don’t let it go to your head,” she murmured, loving the feel of his thumb rubbing over the top of hers.

The moment was interrupted by the return of the waitress, who brought Lainey a glass of Pinot Grigio and Todd his iced tea, and left a basket of bread on the table along with a small plate of olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping.

“I shouldn’t indulge in the carbs,” she said, pulling her fingers away from his, “but I love dipping my bread.” She dunked it in the oil and vinegar and took a bite, closing her eyes with appreciation at the smooth flavor of the oil matched with the sharp tang of the aged vinegar.

The bread was followed by fresh Caprese salad, then their entrées. They chatted constantly about things happening in the town, memories of grade school, hopes for the future. Lainey told him she’d wanted to take over the inn after Joan and Roger retired, and that it was a huge responsibility but one she was proud of. Todd said he’d once had dreams of joining the FBI but now he was enjoying working as a small-town cop.

“Really?” Lainey said, picking at her side of Parmesan risotto. They’d barely eaten anything; they’d been talking nonstop.

“I like knowing most of the people I see each day. Even with the storm, I was out helping people, you know? It’s nice to be able to do that in my own community.”

Lainey nodded. “I know. Which sounds funny because at the inn I deal with strangers each day, but I get to help them see how great the cove is. The businesses all promote one another, and it’s nice. It keeps people connected.”

He laughed, cutting into his chicken. “It’s kind of funny, thinking of the two of us who used to party all the time, being all civic-minded now.”

“People change,” she mused. “They grow up.”

“Yeah,” he said, “They do. And we get wiser, and sometimes more scared, and sometimes being a grown-up isn’t all that we thought it would be.”

“We really didn’t have a clue, did we?” she asked, smiling wistfully.

“No. But I wouldn’t go back. I think things truly turn out the way they’re supposed to, you know? Like you and me, here tonight. Everything up to this point has brought us to this moment. And I don’t know about you, but I think this date is going okay.”

It was more than okay. It was going so well that Lainey kept forgetting that she was supposed to keep her guard up. The more he smiled, the more they talked, the more smitten she became. He’d always been unfairly good looking. But tonight she was discovering a new side. A deeply caring, mature side that made her feel safe and strong when she was with him.

When their plates were taken away, Todd asked about dessert. She was already quite full, but she told him to order some if he wanted. He did, along with two spoons and two coffees. As the evening wore on, Lainey sipped on rich coffee, and when Todd gave her a spoon she dipped into the vanilla bean cheesecake. It was heaven.

He paid the bill and held her coat for her once more, then when they walked to the car he took her hand in his. Lainey’s senses were on high alert, even from something as simple as an innocent handclasp. It was a point of connection between them; a chaste yet clear acknowledgment of their attraction and a tacit promise that there was more to come. On the drive back to Jewell Cove, the conversation turned to the meal, their favorite parts, and other favorite spots to dine on the midcoast. As they got closer to town, though, the interior of his SUV turned quiet. They were n

early to the inn, and the silent question kept repeating in Lainey’s mind: Should she end the date or ask him in?

She knew what she wanted. She just didn’t know if it was a smart idea. It had been an amazing day, and she didn’t want it to end.

He pulled in behind her car in the narrow space allotted for the cottage, put the vehicle in park, and turned off the engine. Lainey gathered up her purse and opened her door, and Todd did the same on his side. The air was spectacularly clear and cold tonight, and the sky was full of thousands of pinpoints of light. Lainey’s feet, in nothing but her heels, were cold instantly, and her breath formed a cloud in front of her face. She reached inside her purse for her key and put it in the lock, then turned to face Todd. She still hadn’t made up her mind. But she did know that she wanted a good-night kiss.

“Thank you for dinner,” she said softly. “I had a really nice time.”

“Me too.”

“And for everything today. For making me come out of my doldrums.”

“It was my pleasure.”

Their eyes met, clung. Time seemed to hesitate as the moment held, weighted with anticipation and questions. Then Todd took a half step forward, lowered his head, and placed his lips on hers.

Beguiling, she thought. Odd that such a strange word should pop into her head at this moment, but that was the only way she could think of to describe his kiss. Beguiling. Fascinating, soft, sweet, luring her in for something bigger and grander. With a delighted sigh she put her hand on his shoulder and kissed him back. It felt perfect. Just as everything had today.

Their lips parted but they remained standing close, touching each other, letting the effect of the kiss linger.

“Mmm,” he hummed, and she felt the tip of his nose nuzzling her temple, urging her toward a second sampling.

“Mmm,” she agreed, lifting her chin a little, indulging in the kiss foreplay. “Do you want to come in?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”