Page 37 of Race to the Beach

“Oh.Yes.Sure.”She stumbled over her words as she took a quick step back, pulling the door wide open.

She glanced down at her jean shorts and pink T-shirt and wished she’d picked out a nicer outfit.She considered running upstairs and changing clothes, but she wouldn’t let herself.She didn’t want Owen to think she was trying to impress him.Nothing could be further from the truth.

“Hurry up,” Aunt Bonnie called out.“It’s going to get cold.”

“I, uh… Guess we should eat.”As she led him to the kitchen, she inwardly groaned.She sounded so foolish.

When they reached the kitchen, the table was empty.Maxi came to a stop.Owen practically ran into her.He put his hands on her shoulders in order to avoid colliding with her.He let go of her, but she could still feel the warmth of his touch.

“Sorry,” he said.“You stopped suddenly.”

Before she could think of what to say, Aunt Bonnie called out.“We’re eating in the dining room tonight.”

The dining room?Her aunt never used that room.She said it was for special occasions, and she preferred the kitchen.So, was she saying tonight’s dinner was a special occasion?

“Maxi, what’s taking you so long?”Aunt Bonnie sounded as though she were getting inpatient.

Maxi continued through the kitchen and into the dining room.There, the room was lit by an army of candles.Oh, my!What exactly was her aunt up to?

“I couldn’t wait to eat,” Aunt Bonnie said.“I’m too old for these late dinners.You two enjoy.I’m heading upstairs to do some reading for my book club.”

“Ah, thank you,” Owen said.“It smells really good.”

“I hope you enjoy.”

Maxi’s gaze took in the table with only two plates and not her everyday plates either.The table was set with her aunt’s china.There were two tapered candles in the center with serving dishes awaiting them.

Her gaze swung to her aunt’s retreating back.“Wait, Aunt Bonnie.”When her aunt turned back to her, Maxi said, “Are you sure you won’t join us?”

“Nah.After all, two’s company and three’s a crowd.And I really do need to finish reading this book before I go to book club next week.Good night.”

After her aunt left the room, Maxi turned back to Owen.“I’m sorry.I, uh… I didn’t know it was going to be dinner for two.”She lowered her gaze to the oriental rug as heat rose to her cheeks.“You, uh…don’t have to stay.”

“Are you asking me to leave?”

When she raised her head, he was staring directly at her.Their gazes met, causing her heart to launch into her throat.Not trusting her voice in that moment, she shook her head.

“Shall we eat before it gets cold?”He pulled out a chair for her.

She inwardly swooned a little.She sat down, and then he sat across from her.In the candlelight, it would be so easy to get lost in those dreamy blue-gray eyes.She glanced away before she fell under his spell.

She surveyed the food on the table.Her aunt didn’t hold back.She’d prepared fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans.Maxi loved her aunt’s chicken.They quietly ate for a while.Both of them had big appetites after working hard all day.

She still had a lot of computer work to do that evening—looking for car parts.But she didn’t want to think about any of that now.When she glanced across the table and immediately met Owen’s gaze, her stomach dipped.Why was she letting him get to her?She would be leaving the island soon.

She focused on her plate.She moved the few remaining green beans around on her plate.“I’m sorry my aunt is playing matchmaker.She’s never done this before.”

“If her matchmaking always includes such delicious food, she can do it again.”He used his fork to scrape up the last of the mashed potatoes on his plate.

He was so handsome and such a good guy that she could imagine all of the mothers inviting him over to set him up with their available daughters.The thought left a sour taste in the back of her mouth.“You must be used to this?”

His brows drew together.“Used to what?Having dinner made for me?Or the matchmaking?”

“The matchmaking.”

He shrugged.“This is the first candlelit dinner I’ve been tricked into, but there are no complaints from me.”

His words touched her.“I should tell my aunt the truth about us.I was going to this evening, but I didn’t get a chance.”

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