Page 4 of The Waiter at Table 6

Almost.

I wonder if that thought is visible in my eyes. And then I decide, it should be.

“Almost.”

The word is like a match striking the air between us. The tension alights, the flames dancing in Ryder’s eyes the same I feel under my skin.

I don’t know if my answer used up the last of my courage, so I’m comforted when Ryder opens his mouth, closes it, then opens it again. I’m holding my breath, waiting for his next words.

But they never come. Because the manager chooses that moment to stop by my table.

“Hi there,” he greets with a big smile. “I’m Chris, the owner. How has your dining experience been tonight?”

The loss of my moment with Ryder is disappointing enough to make this amusing. I return Chris’ smile and say, “It’s been amazing. I appreciate you checking on your patrons.” I chance a glance at Ryder, who’s standing stock-still beside his boss. “Ryder’s taken great care of me tonight.”

Chris beams at his server. “Excellent,” he says, clapping his hands together. “That’s fantastic to hear.” He notices the bill in Ryder’s hand and asks, “Is there anything else we can get for you tonight? Or will that be all?”

“Just the check is fine,” I answer politely.

Ryder nods and places the bill before me. It only takes a quick glance to see he took off the dessert and the wine. The only thing I’ve been charged for is my entrée.

I slide my credit card into the pocket but don’t realize how quickly I’ve done it until I look up to Chris and Ryder still standing beside my table.

Ryder gives me a tight smile as he reaches for the bill. “I’ll be right back with this.”

I watch him walk off, wondering if Chris’s appearance shocked enough reality back into the moment to end my flirtation with Ryder. I should be grateful for what I got, really—there’s a chance Ryder was just playing with me to get a good tip or make his shift pass by quicker.

That thought is quickly squashed when he returns with my card but doesn’t hand it over right away. Instead, he glances around the restaurant to check if anyone is looking at him.

It’s like he’s mentally wrestling with whatever he wants to say. But something pushes him over the edge, because he leans down and says quietly, “I hope I’m not overstepping, but there’s a great beach bar a few blocks down that I think you would like.” He meets my eyes, his gaze enough to incinerate. “If you don’t want to end your night early.”

I suck in a startled breath. Is that…an invitation?

“Is it the tiki bar?” I ask in an almost-whisper.

He grins. “It is. Best pina coladas in town.”

When he straightens, it’s like he’s snapping back to professional waiter mode. The change is dizzying, and I have to busy my hands with twirling my empty wineglass. “I’ve heard that. I’ve been thinking of trying it, actually.”

Ryder’s eyes take on a sparkle. “You should. I think you’d like it.”

I hum thoughtfully. “Maybe I will.”

We both sense the moment we reach the end of our accepted interaction. He hands me my card back, gives me a smile, then begrudgingly steps away to continue working. Even with the slight possibility that I might see him again, this is the end of our little flirtation we enjoyed tonight.

But no matter what happens with his unspoken invitation, Ryder has added a pep to my step that wasn’t there before.

One I didn’t realize I needed.

2

VANESSA

It’s still light out when I leave the restaurant. My date had been planned as an early dinner, so when I gaze out at the ocean, the kaleidoscope of the setting sun’s colors beckons me to do more with my time. In the two weeks I’ve been here, I’ve spent every night binging Netflix and going to bed early. I don’t want to do that tonight.

And not just because there’s a tiki bar in the back of my mind.

So instead of going home, I take my time strolling down Main Street. It’s such an adorable beach town, even just taking in the sights and sounds of my new home is enjoyable. There are families everywhere, having dinner at the pizza shop or waiting in line at the ice cream parlor. I stop in a few of the antique shops, too tempted by the beautiful beach house décor to just pass by. I even put a hold on one of the mermaid paintings to pick up tomorrow.

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