“The food better be good,” I warned.
“Azalea Farms was lucky enough to snag five-star chef Helmut Stromberg. His food will send you straight to Munich. Have you been to Germany?” he asked.
“Not yet.” It was on the list. Germany and many of other European countries. “I figured I would get through the United States first, then head overseas.”
Beckett stopped in front of the door. “How many states so far?”
I ticked them off in my head. “I’ve lived in eleven.”
Beckett’s eyebrows rose. “That’s seven more than me.”
I shrugged. “I move around a lot. I never stay anywhere too long before I’m off to the next adventure.”
Beckett’s eyebrows lowered and drew together. “How long have you been in Mossy Oak?”
“A long time. Nearly a year.”
Beckett reached for the door and pulled it open. The smell of roasting meat and fried bread wafted out the door. My mouth watered at the scent. Inside, the restaurant looked like it belonged in a cosmopolitan European city, not a farm. White tablecloths draped over secluded tables under low-lit chandeliers. The tinkle of piano music drifted up to the high ceiling.
The hostess took our coats and led us to a private booth in the corner. Once we settled across from each other at the table, Beckett reached for my hand.
“We should get away for the weekend.” Beckett squeezed my hand. “I haven’t been on vacation in forever, but spending time with you makes me want to go somewhere. Have you been to Littlecloud?”
My heart skipped a beat. Littlecloud was a famous inn and bookshop on a private island off the coast of Florida. Owned by one of the most famous authors in the world, the inn was a dream destination for a bookworm like me.
“You would want to visit Littlecloud?”
“I’ve been there a few times. It’s a great getaway.”
“This is our first date. Maybe we shouldn’t talk about weekend getaways.”
Beckett smiled. “I’m not asking you to move in with me.” He reached for my hand. “Although, my house is big enough.”
“Beckett!”
He laughed. “What?”
“You’re going too fast.”
“I know.” He squeezed my hand. “Sometimes I have a hard time slowing down. My life moves so fast, I always feel like I’m a step behind. I’m always chasing the next thing. But when I met you, I knew I wanted you in my life.”
His confession made my skin tingle. I’d wanted him from the moment I’d seen him too. Even though I hadn’t wanted anyone in years. Even though he’d been a jerk.
The waitress came over to get our drink orders. I ordered my favorite beer, and Beckett ordered a whiskey on the rocks. I’d never known anyone who drank whiskey before, but it suited Beckett.
We flirted through dinner, holding hands across the table and feeding each other bites of our food. Before we knew it, we were the last ones in the restaurant. Lingering over coffee and dessert, we discussed books and other important topics.
“Tell me something I don’t know about you,” Beckett said.
I thought for a moment, trying to come up with something that we hadn’t touched on yet. I took a bite of the chocolate cake as I stalled for time.
“I like sexy underwear,” I said, swallowing.
Beckett’s eyes turned smoky, and he raised his hand in the air to signal the waitress. “Check please.”
I laughed. “One more thing, I don’t put out on the first date.”
Beckett took the fork from my hand and helped himself to a bite of the cake. “I don’t either.”
