Page 20 of Coming Home

“A reservation for two. Under Jackson Martin,” he said, his hand remaining on Ainsley’s back.

“Ah, yes, Mr. Martin. Right this way.”

Jackson continued guiding her as they followed the hostess to a circular booth in the corner. Ainsley slid into it, and he followed after her, sitting close. The hostess handed them their menus and with a saucy smile said, “Enjoy your dinner, Mr. Martin. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to make it a more pleasant dining experience for you.”

Ainsley wanted to remind the hostess of her presence. Instead, she smiled up at her, a smile that told this woman to back off.

“Thank you so much,” Jackson said, and the hostess turned away.

She wondered if this would be what might lie in her future if Jackson continued to ask her out. Would she be looking at every woman with jealousy? She pushed the thought aside, determined to enjoy this date and live in the moment.

Their server appeared and asked what they’d like to drink. Jackson ordered a bottle of merlot from one of the local vineyards, one of her favorite wines. She wondered if Willow had told him to do so. He also asked for a carafe of water and then turned to her.

“Anything else for you, Ainsley? Iced tea?”

“No, water and wine will hit the spot.”

The server said, “I’ll be right back with your drinks, Mr. Martin.”

She perused the menu and was startled at the prices listed. She had known the Old Coast Pub House was the nicest restaurant in the area because she had grown up nearby. She had never dined at it before, though, and doubted she ever would again, especially on her own dime. She worried for a moment that she might be on the hook for half of their bill and decided to find out now before the server returned and they’d placed their orders.

“Jackson?”

“Hmm?” he said, as he looked over the menu. “What looks good to you?”

“I’m going to be blunt. I can’t afford the prices here.”

He frowned. “This is a date, Ainsley. I’ll be paying the bill.”

She felt heat rush to her cheeks. “I didn’t know if this might be friends going out for dinner together or not.”

“I hope we’re friends, Ainsley.” He gazed deeply into her eyes, causing her to shiver. “I’m hoping we can be much more, though.”

Butterflies exploded again in her stomach as Jackson reached for her hand. He wrapped his fingers around hers.

“Dinner is on me tonight. Order whatever you wish.”

“All right,” she said quietly, going back to the menu.

But he kept holding her hand.

It was hard to concentrate as warmth from him flooded her. She blinked again several times, focusing on the writing in front of her.

“If you haven’t been here before, would you mind if I order for us?”

Ainsley set down her menu. “That would be lovely.”

The server returned and uncorked the wine, pouring a small amount into a glass and offering it to Jackson.

He passed the glass to her. “It’s waiting for your approval. Willow said it’s your favorite.”

It touched her that he had taken the time to find out her favorite wine and that he was allowing her the final say. She took a small sip and nodded at the server, who then filled both their wine glasses and placed the bottle in the center of their table. He also filled glasses with water and placed the carafe next to the wine.

“Are you ready to order?” the server asked.

“Yes,” Jackson replied. “We’ll share the salmon cakes as our appetizer. Entrees will be the bacon-wrapped filets with the pan-seared scallops. Make my steak medium rare. Ainsley?”

“Same for me.”

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