Page 29 of A Room By the Sea

I guess that’s a good thing, though, she thought with a chuckle. After all, the more famous I am around town, the more famous The Birchwood House will be as well.

“He’s right back this way,” the hostess told her. “If you’ll just follow me.”

Audrey followed the hostess to the back of the restaurant, where Evan was already seated at a romantic two-person table placed in front of a window. It offered a breathtaking view of the ocean glittering in the sunlight, and Audrey’s heart caught in her throat when she saw it.

Her heart continued to ache in the best of ways when she looked at Evan. He was dressed in a gray suit, and he looked polished and handsome. He stood up as she approached him, giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek.

“Here,” he said, handing her a bouquet of pale pink spray roses. “These are for you. Turns out they match your dress.” His eyes warmed. “You look beautiful.”

“Oh, Evan, they’re lovely!” she exclaimed, thrilled by the gift. Impulsively, she lifted her face to his and kissed him. “Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome,” he said, looking at her with shining eyes.

“You look very nice yourself,” she said, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious.

“Thank you.” Evan stepped over to her chair and drew it out from the table. She sat down in it, appreciating as she usually did what an old-fashioned gentleman he was.

Evan pushed in her chair and then sat down across from her. They chatted amiably as they looked over their menus together. Although she’d eaten there before, Audrey was overwhelmed by how many delicious options there were. Part of the menu changed every week, and she saw several specials that sounded absolutely fantastic.

“What are you thinking?” she asked Evan.

“I think I’m going to order the Boeuf Bourguignon,” he said, looking up at her with a smile. “Do you know what you want to order yet?”

Audrey pressed her lips together for a moment, trying to decide what she wanted. “Yes,” she said, suddenly sure of what she would order. “I’m going to order the Coq au Vin even though I had it the last time I was here. I love bacon and mushrooms, especially with chicken.”

“Always nice to order something you know you’ll like,” Evan said, smiling at her.

He looks at me like he thinks the world of me, she thought, feeling her heart start to pound in her chest. Although she loved the way he was looking at her, it made her afraid in spite of herself. It was like her nervous system associated romance with pain, and she couldn’t talk herself out of getting nervous every time she noticed Evan falling more deeply for her. I’m sure I’ll get over that soon, she told herself. It’s been getting better and better the longer we’ve been dating. Now when I get scared, the feeling only lasts a little while, and it’s not as intense.

Their waiter took their food order and soon returned with a couple of glasses of wine for them. Audrey sipped hers with relish, knowing that the wine served at Brasserie Belle was always of a very fine quality.

“How are things going with all of your mayoral duties?” she asked.

Evan cleared his throat, which Audrey had long ago learned meant that he was nervous. She blinked, suddenly concerned that Coral Sands had some kind of problem, but then Evan said, “Everything’s been going well, and I would love to update you, but first I have something to discuss with you.”

Audrey’s stomach did a somersault, and she felt taken aback and suddenly nervous. She clasped her hands in her lap, wondering what Evan was about to speak with her about. She kept her expression open, however, trying to make sure Evan didn’t realize how nervous she felt. He certainly appeared nervous enough himself without having to worry about her jitters as well!

“I’m listening,” she said, smiling at him.

Evan cleared his throat again and placed his palms on the table. A second later, he seemed to think better of the gesture and took them off the table again.

“Audrey,” he said finally, and by that time she could feel her own hands starting to sweat.

“Yes?” she said, as sweetly as she could. She felt breathless.

“We’ve been going on dates and thoroughly enjoying each other’s company for quite some time now,” Evan said, speaking slowly and carefully. “And I—well, I’m grateful for you.”

“I’m grateful for you too,” she said softly, and they shared a moment of tender eye contact. Feeling suddenly more jittery than ever, Audrey took a sip of her wine. As soon as she took her hand off the glass, Evan reached across the table and took her hand in his.

“I’m truly thankful that you moved back to Coral Sands, Audrey,” he told her. “I don’t know what my life would be like without you—no, I do. I absolutely do. I would still be bored and lonely, filling my days with endless work so that I didn’t have to think about how lonely I was.” He shook his head, and she squeezed his hand.

“I’m less lonely because of you too,” she said softly.

He inhaled. “I understand that the destruction of your marriage was painful and that it’s been hard for you to let romance into your life again,” he said slowly. “But I’m hoping that’s been getting easier for you, and that you’re feeling able to trust that my intentions are sincere. I wanted to ask you if you would like to make things official between us. Would you be my girlfriend, Audrey?”

Audrey felt as though time had slowed down, or as though she was dreaming. She could hardly process the fact that he’d just asked her that question. It was something she’d been both wishing for and dreading for weeks. She didn’t know how she was going to answer him, and her mind seemed to go totally blank for a few seconds as she blinked back at him.

Evan swallowed. “I’m sorry, I guess I shouldn’t have assumed—I mean, I’ve been loving spending time with you, but I guess we haven’t touched base for a while on how we were feeling about dating each other⁠—”