“I did too.” So good that he didn’t want it to end.
“I should go up. Early day tomorrow.”
He nodded, disappointed she didn’t ask him up to her apartment. He’d hoped for a drink and some more talk. Healmostasked her, but didn’t. Shouldn’t push his luck.
“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow when I come in for my ice cream.”
She laughed. “Yes, I’ll see you then.”
She slipped inside and he continued to stand under the lamplight. Soon a light turned on and shone through the window on an upper floor. That must be her apartment. A shadow moved across the window before the blinds came down.
Feeling lonely—which was ridiculous—he headed back to the resort, hoping against hope that Violet had already picked out a name for it.
Chapter 23
Early the next morning, Heather pushed through the door to the kitchen at Sea Glass Cafe, anxious to hear about her mom’s date. Not that her mom had told her about the date… “Mom, I knew I’d find you here.”
“Of course. Grab yourself some coffee. I have to get this new batch of peach-filled scones in the oven.”
“Sounds yummy.” She poured some coffee and sat on a stool by the counter, watching her mother work. “So… how was your date last night?”
“It wasn’t a date.” Her mother looked up quickly. “Why does everyone insist it was a date?”
“Well, I heard about it from Jillian and Jackie. Not from my very own mother.”
Her mother finished the last scone and popped the tray into the oven. “We just went to Jimmy’s. Very last minute. I paid my own way.”
She eyed her mother. “You did?”
“I insisted.”
“You’re a bit of an enigma, Mother.” She took a sip of the hot coffee. The cafe had really good coffee. Better than she made at her apartment. She should figure out their secret or what kind of coffee they brewed. “Did you have a good time?”
“I did. Though we ran into your father and Lacey.”
“Really? I haven’t seen him around lately. Figured he was out of town. Not that he’s speaking to me since our last run-in.”
“He was just as lovely as ever.” Her mom rolled her eyes. “Insulted Rob. Insulted Violet remodeling Murphy’s Resort. Just lovely.”
“I hope you ignored him.” She frowned. Her dad was such a jerk. She was actuallygladher parents had divorced. And without her father calling all the shots, demanding her mother avoid all family functions, she’d gotten closer to her mom this last year.
“I try to. I admit, he still does get under my skin.”
“I’m sorry. I hope running into him didn’t ruin the evening.”
“No, it didn’t. And we ran into Mother and Ted, too.”
“Busy night at the wharf. The twins. Grandmother and Ted. Dad and what’s her name.” She actuallyknewthe girl’s name but refused to say it.
“It was. I thought we’d just have a quiet dinner.”
“But you still had fun, right? Enjoyed yourself?”
“I did.”
“You know… it’s okay if you want to date, Mom. You’re divorced. You’re free to do what you want.”
A serious expression settled on her mother’s face. “That’s the thing. I don’t know what I want.”
