Was that a good idea? They had just sorted things out so they could work together. But, the thing was, she would like to date him. Even if it might not be the smartest idea.
Even as her practical side listed off all the reasons they shouldn’t date, her heart stubbornly resisted.
The man fascinated her. She loved being around him. Talking to him. Even listening to his many opinions. Okay, maybesomeof his opinions. But he had learned to listen to her counterpoints, and that was a step in the right direction. A sign they’d both grown and learned from each other.
Firmly listening to her heart, she decided to take this chance. A chance to see where things would lead them.
She wandered out onto the balcony and sat down, staring across the shimmering turquoise water. The sun painted the sky with fiery tones of orange and yellow. She took a deep breath of the salty air, feeling the tension in her shoulders fade. As the sun glided below the horizon, she let her regrets about her past and her fears slip away with it.
So much had changed since she’d come to Magnolia Key. After her disastrous and unexpected last night on the stage, she’d needed a place to escape. A place where no one knew her. She was starting to believe she could put her whole past behind her here in Magnolia.
Working with the theater fed her soul. Gave her purpose. If she couldn’t be on stage anymore, at least she could provide the stage for other actors. While her life used to be firmly entrenched in the spotlight, now all she craved was for the Magnolia Theater to be a success.
A gentle breeze blew her hair, and she swept it out of her eyes, watching the waves roll constantly to shore in a slow, soothing motion.
She finally had found peace here on Magnolia Key. A peace that she’d thought she’d lost forever.
Chapter20
Aknock sounded at her door and Tori hurried over to answer it, smoothing her hair and straightening her dress in anticipation. Gavin stood there looking relaxed and casual. If he was as nervous as she was, there was no sign of it. His hair was still damp from a recent shower, the ends curling slightly in a way that made her heart skip a beat. Khaki shorts showed off his long, tanned legs, and a button-down shirt with rolled-up sleeves exposed his strong forearms. She was glad he’d told her semi casual. The simple teal t-shirt dress she’d picked was a perfect match for his outfit.
They headed out, and he paused on the porch. “You mind walking?”
“Not at all. Where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” he said with a hint of playful secrecy.
She followed him along the sidewalk until he cut across at the far end of the island. He slipped off his shoes at the edge of the beach. She did the same, enjoying the cool feel of the sand beneath her feet. He took her hand, leading her across the beach. As they went around the bend, she gasped.
A wispy white canopy fluttered in the ocean breeze. Beneath it, a cozy blanket and smattering of cushions beckoned. Two lanterns flickered beside the blanket, casting a warm, romantic glow. A small, low table was centered under the canopy, adorned with a vase bursting with bright flowers. A wine bucket rested beside the table and a wicker basket sat to one side.
She clapped her hands in delight. “Gavin, it’s wonderful.”
His mouth spread into a wide, satisfied grin. “I was hoping you’d like it.”
“You did all this?” Her voice filled with awe as she stared at the magical setup.
He laughed. “No, but I arranged it. There’s a fledgling business start-up that’s trying to gain more customers here on Magnolia Key. I heard about them and hired them to do all this. Thought it might give their business a boost. They took photos of the setup to use for their promo.”
He led her over to the blanket, and they ducked under the canopy. She sank down on the plush cushions and he dropped down beside her, close but not quite touching. “Champagne?” he asked, reaching for the bottle nestled in the ice bucket.
She nodded, and he poured two flutes. He raised his. “To our first official date.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “To our date.” First? Did that mean he planned on more? She took a sip of the pale yellow liquid, the bubbles dancing across her tongue. “This is nice.”
“It is.” Though he was looking right at her, not at his champagne, and his meaning was crystal clear.
He opened the basket and spread out the food. Strawberries, cheese, crackers, a veggie plate and dip, along with a platter with an assortment of delicious-looking desserts. “Think there will be enough?” he teased.
“I think so.” She grinned back at his infectious smile.
They savored their meal and their time together as the sun sank lower in the sky. He finally stood and reached down a hand. “One more thing.”
She took his hand and stood as he reached into the basket, pulled out a small speaker, and connected it to his phone. He turned on some music. The soft melody drifted across the sand, melding with the gentle sound of the waves. “Dance?”
She nodded and stepped into his arms. He held her close as they swayed to the music. In his arms, she felt a warmth sink through her to her very bones. A welcome warmth full of hope that in turn filled her with contentment. The stars began to twinkle above them in the darkening sky. The sun gave one last burst of brilliant color before sinking below the horizon, throwing streaks of orange that danced with the fluffy clouds.
She rested her cheek against his chest and listened to his heartbeat. It thumped jaggedly, just like hers. He pulled her closer. Still, they swayed gently to the music, the waves, the night breeze. He finally stepped back and tilted her chin up, his gaze locking with hers.
