Page 9 of The Seascape Between Us

“I didn’t make a reservation,” I said once Alistair stood next to me. “I hope you can fit me in.”

He grinned. “I think we can accommodate you.”

After grabbing a menu, he led me to a table next to the rounded windows and a view of the sea—still visible even in the rapidly darkening twilight.

“I’m surprised to see you here,” Alistair said, handing me the menu.

“Aren’t you surprised to seeanyonein here?” I deflected.

He shot me a pointed smirk. “The restaurant’s notthatdead, and the food’s pretty good.”

“I guess I’ll find out.”

“So, why are you here?” He asked, refusing to be derailed.

I grinned. Alistair was pretty cool. I’d given Finn endless shit about the guy when they’d first started dating. With over a ten-year age gap, I honestly didn’t think they’d have anything in common or would last more than a few months, but they were good together. They genuinely loved each other, and Alistair was fantastic with Finn’s six-year-old son, Will. I’d been wrong. Rare, but not entirely unheard of. “Why is anyone here? This is a restaurant. I’m hungry. It makes sense.”

Clearly not buying it, Alistair’s gaze narrowed, and he cocked his head to one side. “Does Finn know you’re here?”

“Youdorealize Finn works for me, not the other way around.”

“So, hedoesn’t know.”

I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms over my chest. “He’s not my parent. He doesn’t say what I can or can’t do. Besides, I’m staying here because of you.”

His eyes widened. “Me?”

“Weren’t you the one talking about the hotel’s impact on the community?” Well, he and Daniel both, but no point in getting into all that.

“I’m not sure dinner is the best way to make that determination. You may want to check out the things Daniel does for the community as a start—”

“So listen,” I said, cutting him off before he could really get going with tales of Saint Daniel. “I like you well enough, but having my friend’s boyfriend wait on me is awkward.”

“I’m a waiter. That’sliterallymy job to wait on people.”

“Still… awkward, and I’m not sure I can be objective. Can you get someone else?”

He shook his head. “I’m the only server in tonight.”

“Just ask Daniel to do it?”

What are you doing?A voice in my head all but screamed. I didn’t have an answer. Maybe I was secretly a masochist. But it wasn’t just me I’d be torturing. Daniel played a big part in this fiasco too. After the exchange in my room, I wanted to keep pushing, prodding, gauging Daniel’s reactions while I tried to guess what was happening in his head.

“You’re serious about this. You want me to ask Daniel to serve you?” He sounded skeptical, like he wasn’t sure if I was telling him the truth or not.

“Like I said, objectivity,”

He shook his head and shrugged. “If that’s really what you want, I’ll find Daniel.”

“Perfect.” I clapped my hands together. “Oh, and if you could bring me a whiskey neat while you’re tracking Daniel down, that would be great.”

“Sure.” Alistair chuckled and left my table, presumably in search of Daniel.

While I waited, I read through the menu, which shockingly didn’t look too bad. It was varied without being too much, and the dishes were a decent mix of modern and classic favorites. I glanced up at the other diners, who were all eating. Their food didn’t look too bad.

“Your drink,sir,” Daniel said, setting the glass of amber liquid on the table before me. “Have you decided what you’d like?”

He had that pinched annoyed look tightening his features again, and he stood well back from me as if he were trying to keep his distance.Hadhe almost kissed me before? Did he still want to?

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