Page 20 of Chasing Forever
He would have offered his arm, but she’d already started walking ahead, and he had to jog to catch up. Why do I feel so out of practice?
“Aloha. Would you prefer indoor or outdoor seating?” asked the pretty Hawaiian hostess.
Chase exchanged looks with Callie, and she said, “Outdoor, please.”
He’d figured as much. The restaurant boasted a wraparound porch rimmed by tiki torches and a profusion of flowers. It was the perfect setting for a romantic dinner if one were interested in that sort of thing.
After they were seated and had given the waitress their drink orders, he picked up their conversation where they’d left off.
“You still haven’t answered my question,” he said lightly.
“Which one?”
“How long are you here for?”
“Oh, that one. Eight weeks, just like you. Well, seven now.”
“How about that?”
She smiled and took a sip of water.
He got the sense that she was still holding back, and he wondered why. True, they didn’t know each other that well, but talking was supposed to remedy that. Yet every time he asked a question, she looked uncomfortable and gave him clipped answers. Maybe she was out of practice with this too.
“I guess being a writer means you can work anywhere.”
She nodded. “Have notepad and pen, will travel.”
“You must make a decent living at it if you can afford to stay here for eight weeks.” Based on her expression, he realized he’d offended her, and he could have kicked himself. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to…”
“No. It’s okay,” she said, holding up her hand.
Just then, the waitress brought their drinks and asked if she could take their orders.
Since they hadn’t even looked at the menus yet, Chase said, “Can you give us a few more minutes?”
“Sure. Take your time.”
“I love that about Hawaii. Nobody’s in a hurry here,” Callie said, seemingly recovered from his previous comment.
“I agree. It’s a lot different from where I live.”
“Where do you live?”
“Michigan.”
Her mouth dropped open, and she leaned forward, inadvertently giving him a peek down her dress. Not that he was planning on looking, but since the opportunity presented itself...
“Michigan?”
“Yeah. You know, the Mitten, the Great Lakes State…although it’s not so great at this time of year.”
“I know, I know. I live there too!”
His beer glass was raised halfway to his lips, and he halted in mid-air. “You’re kidding me?”
She shook her head vehemently. “I live in Rochester.”
“We’re neighbors.”
