Page 11 of New Year's Renovations

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Starlight Piwasan unassuming little spot, frequented mainly by the locals. As the hostess led us through a maze of tables covered with red-and-white checked tablecloths, several people greeted Jackson. He nodded and asked after their children and parents and pets until we’d made our way back to a secluded corner of the room, lit mainly by candlelight.

“This good?” the hostess asked, tilting her head at Jackson.

“Perfect. Thanks, Claire.” He gave her a smile and her cheeks flushed crimson.

“Great, enjoy.” She laid two menus on the table, then headed back towards the hostess stand.

“So, this is Pi’s,” Jackson said, pulling my chair out for me.

“It smells fantastic,” I said, garlic and rosemary mingling with the scent of the woodfire from the open brick oven nearby.

“I hope you’re hungry because Oliver makes pies as big as the table.”

I giggled. “I am.”

A waitress took our drink order—white wine for me, beer for Jackson—and left a plate of piping hot garlic knots for us, along with complimentary math problems.

“Mmmm, these are delicious,” I murmured, savoring the salty, garlicky bread. I ignored the math problems.

“Almost as good as Boston?” Jackson furrowed his brow, waiting for my response.

“Definitely.”

“The least I could do was show you the best places to eat in town.” Jackson shot me a cheeky grin, revealing a dimple in his right cheek. Freaking adorable. My pulse shot up, belly clenching with nerves.

“Well, you nailed it with this one.”

“Thanks. I aim to please.”

We smiled at each other and everyone else in the room fell away. All I saw in that moment was Jackson, his gaze making me lightheaded.

“Is it just you and your brother, then, running the business?” I asked, working hard on forming cogent words.

“Yeah, it’s just us and my dad. My mom died a year ago.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” I grabbed his hand, lacing my fingers with his. He squeezed back, locking his dark eyes on mine.

“Thanks. Last year was kind of rough, but things are looking up.” He ran his thumb over mine and my heart soared even as I blushed, my cheeks burning.

“To new beginnings,” I managed to say, raising my glass to his.

“To new beginnings.” We clinked glasses and I said a silent prayer of thanks to my Aunt Gertrude, bless her soul, for sending me to Starlight Bay in the first place.

7

Jackson

Itried to concentrate on the food and the conversation, but I found myself getting lost in Harper’s deep blue eyes, the sweet alto tones of her voice, the way she threw her hands all over the place when she told a story.

This girl is going to cost you.

I knew it, deep down in my soul, and still I did nothing to stop it.

“I want to show you the beach,” I found myself saying as I paid the check, intertwining her delicate fingers with mine.

“Sure.” She looked over at me with wide, innocent eyes, and I wanted her like I hadn’t wanted anything—or anyone—in a long, long time.

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