Page 70 of New Day at the Beach House

Roxie hadn’t wanted to leave her mom alone, so she’d invited Ethan over for dinner, which wasn’t anything fancy, since they were ordering pizza. It wasn’t exactly a date, either, because they had a few things to talk about concerning the salon.

Mostly Roxie wanted to be sure that they were on track with everything they needed to be doing.

He showed up before the pizzas and salad were delivered. He’d brought a six-pack of bottles. Hoppy’s Old-Fashioned Cherry Soda. He held them up. “I thought Willie might like something non-alcoholic to drink. It’s made right in Pensacola.”

Roxie had explained about Willie being hungover. “Very kind of you.” She greeted him with a quick kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for coming over.”

“Hey, you say ‘meat lovers pizza’ and I’ll show up.” He grinned.

She laughed. “Good to know you’re that easy.”

He shrugged. “When it comes to you, I don’t need a lot of persuading.”

“Now you’re just being sweet.” She kissed him again, because why not.

“Is that Ethan?” Willie called out.

“It is,” he answered.

They both went through to the living room. He showed Willie the soda. “I brought you some of my favorite cherry soda. Goes great with pizza. Would you like one?”

“That was nice of you,” Willie said. “I’d love to try it.”

Ethan took the six-pack over to the counter. “It’s even better as an ice cream float.”

“That does sound good,” Willie said. “Too bad we don’t have any ice cream.”

“Maybe after dinner, I’ll run out and get some,” Ethan said. “I’m sure the convenience store up the road will at least have vanilla.”

“I won’t be here after dinner,” Willie said.

Roxie looked at her. “You won’t? Where are you going?”

“Over to Miguel’s. I’m having dessert over there.”

Roxie sighed. “You know I invited Ethan over here because I thought you wouldn’t want to go out.”

“I don’t,” Willie said. “But going to Miguel’s isn’t going out. It’s right next door.”

Roxie was in the kitchen, getting plates out. She glanced at Ethan and mouthed the word, “Sorry.”

He came over, setting the six-pack on the counter. “Don’t be. I don’t mind coming over and we can go for a walk on the beach afterwards. If you want.”

She nodded. “I’d like that. Thanks for being so understanding.”

“Not a big deal, I promise.”

The doorbell rang.

“Pizza!” Willie called out gleefully.

“Will you get her a glass of ice for that soda while I grab those?” Roxie asked.

Ethan nodded. “I’m all over it.”

He came back behind the counter as she went to the door. The kid waiting there took out the two boxes of pizza from the insulated pack before handing her the bag with the salad in it. She gave him cash with a nice tip included. “Thanks.”

“Thank you. Have a good night.”

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