Page 36 of Summer Fling
"I hope it doesn't come to that."
"It would be easier if she'd talk to you. I know it's hard, but this is for Lilliana. You both should want the best for her."
"It sucks all around. But I'm glad that you're on my side. It helps to talk to you about it. You remind me that I'm on the right track." Dalton pulled into the lot for Trader's.
"Stay put. I'll help you down."
Before I could argue, he was out of the cab and stalking around the hood. He opened my door and held his hand out to me. "I want to do this right."
My heart skipped a beat as I took his hand, and he helped me to my feet. Dalton was dressed up, and now that I was standing so close to him, he smelled good.
He kept hold of my hand as he closed the door and locked the truck. We held hands as we walked on the crushed seashell lot to the decking that doubled as a walkway to the front door.
Inside, I let him take the lead. He told the hostess that we were a party of two, and she directed us to a table by the window. There was a candle flickering between us.
The hostess handed us menus, then left.
I leaned across the table. "This feels very date like."
He winked at me. "That's the point."
"You're not having any reservations?" In other words, was he freaking out like I was? My heart was racing as I looked around at the other diners. I wasn't from the island, but Dalton's presence was notable.
I bet he hadn't taken a girl out since this whole thing with Oakley started. He wanted to be there for her, but then he was solely focused on Lilliana. His appearance with a woman wouldn't go unnoticed.
By tomorrow, the island would be buzzing with the news that another Kingston brother was off the market. It shouldn't affect me, but I was having all sorts of confusing feelings about it.
He looked at me over his menu. "Are you having second thoughts?"
"Maybe." I bit my lip. "I want to help, but I'm freaking out a little. What if people don't like me for you? What if they think I'm taking advantage of you like Oakley did?"
He lowered his menu to the table and reached across to cover my hand with his. "I want to be here with you, and there's no way anyone could think you're taking advantage of me. Remember the whole out of my league thing?"
I rolled my eyes. "Dalton, you and your brothers were named the most eligible bachelors on the island. You were wrapped up in Oakley for a long time, and now you're suddenly seen out with me. What will people think?"
"That I'm lucky to be here with you."
My face heated at his compliment. "That's a nice thing to say."
He chuckled as he slipped his hand from mine. "It's the truth."
I let the warmth of his words curl around my heart as I attempted to read the menu.
A few seconds later, he asked, "What are you getting?"
I glanced up with a guilty expression. "I haven't decided."
"I'm getting the rockfish," he said putting his menu away.
I forced myself to scan the menu, finally settling on the seared scallops served with lobster ravioli.
We ordered and handed our menus to the waitress.
"You'll have to let me try yours."
That seemed intimate. Something a boyfriend would do. Is this how Dalton was with women, or was he playing a part?
"How long did you date Oakley?"
