Page 30 of Tides of Discovery
We entered on a waft of cold air, still hand in hand, and several heads turned in our direction. A ripple of whispers followed, and nerves skittered up my spine. Jack’s grip tightened as if he sensed I needed his support, and I relaxed into his side.
Declan emerged from the back, and his handsome face broke into a wide grin when he spotted us. “Well, well, well.” He approached with menus tucked under his arm. “If it isn’t Seacliff Cove’s newest couple.”
“Hey, Declan.” Jack greeted him with a crooked grin. “Table for two?”
“For you? The best in the house.” Declan winked at me, then led us to a corner booth with a good view of both the street and the diner’s interior. “Date night?”
“Is there anyone in town who doesn’t know about us?” I slid into the booth.
“Doubtful,” Declan laughed. “Not after that kiss at Barnacle Brews. Callum said it was quite the show.”
Heat crawled up my neck at the memory. “It wasn't a show,” I protested, afraid we’d been caught in our lie. A lie I’d complicated by holding Jack against me for heartbeats longer than necessary.
“Just meant it was romantic,” Declan clarified and set the menus down. “I’ll send Nikki over for your drink orders.”
As he walked away, I became acutely aware that Jack and I were holding hands across the table. Somehow, our hands had clasped and rested on the cool granite between us.
“Everyone’s watching,” Jack murmured, his voice low.
I glanced around and saw he was right. Several patrons were stealing glances our way, smiling or quickly looking away when caught. Ed Rivers, a retiree and regular at the diner, gave us an enthusiastic thumbs-up from his counter seat.
“I feel like we’re in a fishbowl,” I whispered.
Jack squeezed my hand gently. “We knew this would happen. Small town, big news.”
“I know, I just…” I trailed off, unsure how to explain the strange mixture of discomfort and unexpected pleasure I felt. It made no sense. But there was something undeniably nice about sitting there holding Jack’s hand, being regarded as a couple.
“We can bail if you want,” Jack offered. His brow furrowed with concern. “Get takeout instead.”
“No,” I blurted. “No, this is fine. Just new.”
Jack’s expression relaxed into a smile. “Holding hands with your best friend over dinner is definitely new.”
He made no move to let go, though, and neither did I.
Nikki, a college student who worked weekends and evenings at the diner, approached with a notepad. “Hey, guys! Congrats on making it official! What can I get you to drink?”
“Thanks,” Jack replied easily. “I’ll have water.”
“Iced tea for me.”
“Coming right up.” She bounced away, her ponytail swinging.
“You realize we’re going to get this reaction from everyone for the next month,” I said once she was out of earshot.
Jack shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. “The novelty will wear off soon enough. Besides, it’s not so bad—people are genuinely happy for us.”
I considered that and took in the warm smiles from other diners around us. “You’re right. It’s not terrible at all, actually.”
A soft smile curved on Jack’s mouth. “No, it’s not terrible at all.”
Something warm unfurled in my chest at his words and spread outward. I quickly dropped his hand and opened my menu, needing a distraction from the intensity of the moment.
“I think I’ll get the usual.” I scanned the familiar options.
“You always get the smash burger.”
“It’s reliable.” I defended my choice. “Unlike some people who gamble and order something different every time.”
