Page 5 of That's a Wrap

My eyebrows shoot up. “Everyone? Seriously?” Seems kind of odd after her…interestingbehavior yesterday.

“Yeah.” Jeremy nods, then tilts his head. “Why’re you asking about her, anyway?”

“Oh, no reason,” I lie with a casual shrug. “By the way, I’ll be stepping out for lunch today, so I won’t be back onsite until a little after one.”

He rises from his seat and strides in my direction to leave the conference room. “Where are you headed?”

“To get Elle’s phone number.” I grin. I’m halfway down the hall before Jeremy can snap out of his surprised sputters.

The cafe is far busierthan it was yesterday, but I guess that makes sense since it’s time for the lunch rush.

I take my spot at the end of the impressive line and rock back and forth on my toes, attempting to spot Elle behind the counter. But the only people back there are an older man and woman, probably in their early fifties. I try to hide my disappointment as I take the time to finally look at the menu since I barely glanced at it yesterday. I’m pleasantly surprised by the variety, especially since this place appears to be a mom-and-pop shop run by, well, a mom and pop. Plus Elle, of course.

Eventually it’s my turn to order, and I can’t help but crane my neck to catch a peek into the backroom for a flash of black hair and luscious curves.

“What can I get you, sir?” the woman asks me in a kind voice with a hint of a southern drawl. A glance at her name tag tells me her name is Susan.

“Hi, Susan.” I give her a warm smile and some of the tension leaves her shoulders. People do say I have a refreshing quality about me. “Can I get the Fowl Play on a sub roll, please?”

“With all the fixin’s?” Based on the menu, the sandwich looks perfect as is, so I don’t request any modifications.

“Absolutely,” I respond cheerfully. “The fixin’s are the best part.”

“Now here’s a man who knows what he’s talking about.” The older man—Tim,according to his name tag—comes over to stand by his wife.

Turns out I’m the last customer for the lunch rush, so the pair refocuses their attention on me. “Yes, sir,” I tell him. “I’m very serious about my sandwiches.”

“Ha!” He claps his hands. “And here I thought us sandwich enthusiasts were few and far between.”

“Our numbers may be small, but we’re a rowdy bunch, especially about our toppings.”

Both Tim and Susan are laughing now. “Well, aren’t you a character? We haven’t seen you 'round here before. What’s your name, son?”

Son.Feels good to be called that. I haven’t heard anyone call mesonsince my parents passed away several years ago.

“Oh, Timmy,” Susan scolds fondly as she cuts the bread. “Leave the poor boy alone and let him get his lunch.”

“No, it’s alright,” I assure her. “My name’s Peter. I actually just moved to town a few weeks ago.”

“No kidding? You just moved here? That’s a shame you moved in right as the weather’s getting colder.” Tim shivers as if to further emphasize his point.

I shrug. “I moved from New York so this is actually still warm to me.”

They both peer up at me with wide eyes. “You lived in New York? In the city? Why’d you move down here?” Susan asks, expertly piling on the sandwich meat while keeping her attention focused on me.

“I’m the new Marketing and PR Director at the Magnolia Point Resort and Club.”

“We love the resort!” Susan exclaims. “We never stay at the actual hotel, but their restaurant is fantastic. And Spencer has been trying to teach this old man to play golf for years with no luck.” She playfully bumps her husband with her hip.

“Really? You don’t see the restaurant as a competing business?”

“Of course not.” Tim laughs. “We were here long before the resort was built, and we’ll be here afterward. But we’re also the type of close-knit town to recommend each other’s businesses to all the tourists. We want all visitors to be happy, so they return each season and recommend our little beach town to their friends. There’s enough business for everyone.”

You definitely don’t hear people say that in New York.

Susan chimes in. “And we’ve been deemed a Magnolia Point Historical Landmark. Isn’t that exciting?”Actually, it is, in my opinion.“The resort doesn’t hold that status, now does it?” she teases.

“No, ma’am, it doesn’t.”

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