Page 28 of A Table for Two
Darius still wore a skeptical expression as they stopped in front of the restaurant. “Seriously, man? Ms. Ida’s?” He groaned.
Gabriel clapped him on the back. “The food is good. Trust me.”
“Hey, Gabriel,” Ms. Bernice said. “Takeout?”
“Hi, Ms. Bernice. Not this time.”
A smile covered her face. “Well, follow me.” She led them to a table near the far wall and handed them menus. “You two new in town?”
“Ah, just visiting,” Brent answered.
“I hope you enjoy your stay. Let me know if you have any questions.”
Smiling, Gabriel thanked her.
Darius opened his menu. “You must come here often, if she knows you by name.”
“Nope. I’ve only been here three times. You know that saying about everybody knowing everybody in small towns? Believe me, it’s true.”
“This place has everything,” Brent said with surprise. “I don’t even know where to start.”
The three men pored over the menu, going back and forth over choices before deciding to share a seafood family supper with fried catfish and shrimp and sides of macaroni and cheese, green beans with potatoes, baked beans, and cornbread.
After placing their order, Darius folded his arms on the table. “How’s it going with you and your neighbor?”
“Complicated.”
Brent grinned. “Don’t tell me she’s back to throwing things at your head.”
“Hardly. She’s…I really like her.” He didn’t know how to describe what he felt because he didn’t understand it himself. “We’ve spent some time together talking, and it’s like we’ve been friends forever.” The easy rapport he and Serenity shared still amazed him. The server placed glasses of iced tea in front of each man and departed.
“Sounds like things between you two are heating up.”
“I can’t let it go there.”Again.
“Don’t tell me she’s dating someone else,” Darius said.
“No. But I don’t think she’s looking, either. Besides, I told you I’m not planning on staying here.”
“And your grandmother is cool with moving?”
Dilemma number three. “Hardly. She shut me down cold.”
Brent and Darius shared a look, and Brent said, “So, you’re going to commute back and forth or something? And if so, it shouldn’t be a problem having a relationship with Serenity.”
Gabriel blew out a long breath. “I have no idea. But whatever I decide to do, I don’t want to get too deep with her—or anyone, for that matter.”
“It’s a little late for that, given the way you were looking at Serenity.”
He frowned at Brent and opened his mouth to say something, but the server returned with their meal. After the young man walked away, Gabriel said, “I wasn’t looking at her in any way.”
“Mm-hmm,” Darius said, filling his plate. “She’s gorgeous, and if she’s as nice as you say, you’re in big trouble, my brother.” He paused. “But I’m willing to bet you’ve already gotten yourself into a little trouble. She might be just the woman you need, so don’t overthink it or try to compare her to you-know-who.”
Yeah. Trouble. But he wouldn’t give Darius the satisfaction of admitting it. And Serenity could never be Christine. The woman had never offered to cook, and when he suggested they spend an evening in and make dinner together, she’d looked at him as if he’d lost his mind. Her idea of “eating in” meant eatingina restaurant. The more expensive, the better. He added generous portions of food to his plate and changed the subject. After the three men had started their company, they’d decided whenever they hung out together, work topics would be off-limits. In the past, Gabriel had difficulties shutting down work mode. However, tonight, as they laughed and talked, deadlines and projects never crossed his mind.
“Okay, I have to admit, the food was off the chain,” Brent said after leaving the restaurant. “It tasted like somebody’s mama was in the kitchen.”
Gabriel nodded. “I said the same thing the first time I came. And since D considers himself an ice cream connoisseur, we have one more stop to make.” He gestured to the shop across the street.
