Page 34 of Playing for Keeps

“Where are you taking her?” Damian asked, taking a break from babbling at Alice.

“I’ve reserved a table at the restaurant on Sometimes Island.”

The silence made him question his choice.

“Is that bad?” he asked. “Allie said dinner was a bad choice for a first date, but this is a second date, so I thought it would be fine.”

“Dinner’s fine for a second date,” Leo said as he slowed at a junction.

“I’ll give you my top dating tip,” Damian said from the back. “Surfing.”

“We can hardly go surfing in the evening,” Hugh argued.

“True,” Damian said. “But keep it in mind for future. It’s a great daytime date.”

Leo tapped the steering wheel as he followed the line of traffic. “Daytime dates are way better. When I met Caitlin we went on a lot of hikes and picnics.”

Hugh frowned. “You had a baby. Your dates were different by necessity.”

“Yeah, but it made it all easier. It felt more natural.”

“So you think taking her to a restaurant is a bad move?” Hugh huffed.

“A restaurant’s fine,” Damian said. “That’s what she’ll be expecting. I’m just not sure about Sometimes Island.”

Panic crept in. “I thought it was a good choice because it’s a bit different.”

“It’s a bit different and a lot romantic,” Damian said. “It’s like a tenth date kind of place.”

Leo nodded. “There’s something about that place that makes people starry-eyed. I went on a date there once and almost ended up marrying the woman.”

“When?” Hugh demanded. “Who?”

“I can’t remember her name now. But I dated her for like four months or something, which was pretty epic for me at the time.”

“I remember that.” Damian leaned between the seats. “She got really obsessed with you.”

“Yes.”

“And you attribute this to Sometimes Island?” Hugh asked, amused.

“Yep.” Leo’s voice didn’t waver. “There’s something in the air there. Or…” He trailed off, looking suddenly sheepish.

“What?” Hugh asked.

“You’ll laugh at me. But the woman who owns the hotel and restaurant … that eccentric old lady … she made a joke about putting a love spell on us …”

“No!” Damian cracked up laughing. “You think she put a spell on you? That’s brilliant. Why didn’t you tell us this before?”

“Well, clearly this is why.” Leo swatted at Hugh as he spluttered out a laugh. “It’s not that funny.”

“You can’t seriously believe that?” Hugh asked.

“I don’t know. Something weird happened.”

“You’re ridiculous,” Damian said, flopping back in the seat when his laughter subsided. “Are you really going to take Allie to Sometimes Island?”

“Yeah. Oddly enough, I won’t change my plans just because Leo reckons I’m in danger from an old woman with a magic wand.”

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