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My lips curve up into a cheesy grin and I can’t ignore the butterflies in my stomach. “Yes. Yes, I will.”
“Perfect.”
With a laugh, I jump off the couch and start to turn toward the hall, so I can get ready for our date. Our date. I’m so excited I could squeal.
“Thank you for the flowers,” I tell him. “They’re beautiful.”
I don’t make it more than two steps away from the couch before Nolan stops me in my tracks.“Trust me on one thing, Machado. I’m gonna get you to see how special you are.”
A shiver moves through me. “Please do.”
He gives me a long hug, crushing the bouquet between us and puckering his mouth against my forehead.
I beam, and then I sprint off to get dressed.
Because Nolan Brighton just asked me out on our first date, and I can guarantee he’s going to get lucky tonight.
36
NOLAN
Ifeel like the ultimate VIP as I stride proudly into Matilda’s, Starlight Falls’s best seafood dining establishment, with Inez on my arm.
Tonight, I’m wearing a well-ironed white button-down that would make my grandmother proud. Inez is stunning as always in a long emerald dress and her caramel hair swept into some sort of fancy ponytail. As we make our way through the restaurant, every eye here is pulled to her presence like a magnet.
I was able to squeeze in reservations last minute, one of the perks of living in a small town.
But I do have to slip the young server a twenty dollar bill to convince him to take us to a table near the window that overlooks the pond and the rolling hills in the distance. It’s definitely not Hollywood, but it’s the best view around here.
We’re seated at a small window table with starched white tablecloths, gleaming silverware, and a single lit candle between us. I watch Inez as she takes it all in.
I know this isn’t one of those fancy places out in L.A. where the meals start at three hundred bucks per plate, but with the way Inez’s eyes are sparkling, I think I’ve impressed her.
We face each other across the dimly-lit table, and the rest of the restaurant sort of fades away.
“A step up from the bar, huh?” I ask, after the waiter fills our fancy glasses with water and takes our food order.
Inez laughs as she shakes her head. “This place is cute but the bar is a vibe all on its own. Speaking of which, how do you think they’re doing tonight without us?”
I shrug. “Ronan and Nicky volunteered to keep an eye on the staff. So whatever they’re up to, I’m just hoping the police don’t have to get involved.” For the record, I’m only half-kidding.
“Well, then we should probably keep an ear on the police scanner,” she jokes. “But seriously, did Suzy call into work again tonight?”
“She did. She claimed to have ‘car trouble’ this time.” I find myself frowning and making air-quotes. I’m getting sick and tired of Suzy’s shit. “What do you think I should do about her?” I ask Inez. I value her thoughts. It feels good to have someone else in my life who can help me make these decisions.
She hesitates. “I’m not the most objective person when it comes to Suzy. You know we’ve had our issues all along. And I want to be fair about—”
I cut her off. “Inez—what do you think I should do?”
Inez looks out the window, considering her words carefully. “If it was just about learning and improving at work, I’d say we could handle it through more training and development. But since we can’t even get her to show up half the time, I don’t know that there’s much hope.”
I nod, leaning back in my seat when the server arrives with our plates. “Good point. I agree. I’ll start looking for a replacement.”
“I can do that,” she offers. “Just to help get some stuff off your plate.”
I’m shaking my head. “No way. You already do too much. With Stella at home from school these days, sometimes it feels like you’re practically running the bar on your own.”
“It’s no big deal,” she insists.
