“We could have gone anywhere, Tanner.” I step a little closer to enjoy my high school dream of his body next to mine coming true.
“No, we couldn’t have.” He concentrates on the store windows, never turning in my direction.
“Thank you.” The softness of my voice earns me a glance.
Holding my eyes with his, he speaks in an appreciative tone, “You’re welcome, Piper.”
God, I love the way my name sounds coming off his tongue.
The sidewalk is empty since all the stores are closed, leaving just Carsen’s and Coffeehaus on the corner open. Just to make sure I don’t recognize any cars, I scan the parking spots along the street. When Tanner opens the door to Carsen’s for me, he pauses, peering out, and I assume he’s double-checking, too.
The hostess at the podium is writing something down with the phone perched on her shoulder when we approach. I’m thankful I don’t spot Mrs. Carsen because I can guarantee that she would notify my parents that I’m in town, and then the dinner date wouldn’t be just Tanner and me.
Once the hostess hangs up, her head reels back in surprise to find us standing there, but a smile soon breaks over her face. “Good evening. Welcome to Carsen’s. Reservations?”
Tanner steps up to the podium, placing his hand on the small of my back. “Yes, two under Boars.”
I cock my head slightly, and Tanner lightly pinches my skin at the waist to keep me quiet.
Her manicured nail scrolls down the page, and I worry we’re taking someone else’s reservation. I don’t know what exactly Tanner’s angle is here.
“Oh . . . yes . . . Boars.” She grabs a pen from the holder next to her and scratches out the name.
Grabbing two black leather-bound menus, she steps away from the podium. “Follow me, please.” She leads us to a table by the window overlooking the beautiful gazebo surrounded by an array of colored flowers.
Tanner pulls out my chair like a gentleman, and I blush from the act of chivalry. She hands us the menus after we’re seated, and we thank her.
Finally, when she walks away, I inch forward, leaning across the table. “You want to clue me in?”
He laughs. “I didn’t want to use McCain because too many people around here know both of us by name. I was in the Student Center, eating a sandwich when I called, and there was a sign for Boars Meats.”
He shrugs his shoulders, and I giggle, imagining the whole scenario in my head.
“Good thinking. We’re lucky our parents aren’t here.” I slink back and act like I’m looking over the menu, which is crazy since I usually order one meal here—the filet mignon. I battle with myself on if I should order chicken or fish—not only because of the expense, but I also don’t want my first real date with Tanner to include me chowing down on a piece of cow.
“I called my parents this morning, and they were going to that wine-tasting place down by Amish town, so we’re in the clear.”
He’s covered all our bases, and I like the fact my worry bug can be turned off for the night. If our parents found out that we were on a date, his mom would be ecstatic, mine would be cautious, and our dads, especially mine, would more than likely tell Brad. Tanner might be like a second son to my dad, but I’m his only daughter, and the pressure has always been on Brad to make sure no one takes advantage of his little girl.
“So, we can relax.” And I do, sitting back and crossing my legs, when the busboy comes by and fills our water glasses. “Thank you,” I murmur to the young high school kid.
He stares at Tanner a little too long for my liking, but since he doesn’t say anything, I figure he doesn’t recognize Marlowe’s own celebrity—Tanner McCain.
“Yeah, anyone else wouldn’t expect to see us, so we should be good.” The plate teeter-totters when he places his menu down on the table. “What are you having?”
“I think I’m going to have the tilapia.” I grab my glass of water, the ice cubes jiggling from my shaky hand as I lift it up to my lips.
“No, you’re not.” His head shifts back and forth.
“Why not?” Was I not clued in on it being bad here or something?
“Because you always order the filet, and you’ll order it tonight.” He winks, melting me into a puddle on the leather chair.
“Maybe I want tilapia,” I argue.
He amusedly shakes his head. “Piper, I’ve been here with you on your thirteenth birthday, sixteenth birthday, prom, and graduation. In all those times, you’ve never ordered anything different. You always get the filet with a baked potato, butter only, and a Caesar salad. I’ll be extremely disappointed if you don’t allow me to buy you that exact meal you love so much.”
His hand reaches out to grab his glass while I try to compose myself. My heart soars with his recall of my favorite dish.
“On one condition.” I force my memory to dig deep.
He cocks an eyebrow.
“You get the ribeye with the mushrooms on top and garlic mashed potatoes.” I let him know that I too, remember his meal of preference as well.
“Deal.”
He shoots me a wink again, and my heart flips over.
The friendly older male waiter approaches, and we order our meals, adding on a glass of cabernet for me and a Stella for Tanner. As we sit by the window, we watch the middle school kids chase one another, laughing. Images surface of my carefree days of when the whole world was in front of me, and all I worried about was homework and my weekend plans. Now, I have the adorable boy turned gorgeous guy across the table from me, and the worry about word getting back to our families if we’re spotted doesn’t let me enjoy tonight fully.
One of the boys wraps his arms around a girl’s shoulders, and she cuddles up to him while talking to one of his friends.
“I don’t remember being like them at that age,” I remark to Tanner.
He laughs. “Then, you have selective memory. Your brother was one of the guys who always had a girlfriend. It sucked most of the time. When we’d go out, I would be left to talk to whoever his flavor of the week’s friends were.” He continues to stare out the window at the scene across the street.
“I guess.” I vaguely recall it. “I remember when he dated my friend Heidi. That was horrible because she only wanted to hang out with Brad.”
His head twists to me, a frown in place. “That was one of the better times. You were the friend I got to talk to while Brad made out with Heidi.”
My lips curl at the corners until a full smile breaks across my face. “Really?” My voice quivers.
“Yeah,” he softly confirms, nodding his head. “Piper, I should tell you—”
“Shit!” I interrupt.
He stops, his head rearing back. “What?” he asks, inching forward.
“No! Don’t! Parents.” I point to the McCains’ SUV parking right in front of the building.
“What the hell happened to wine country?” Tanner’s teeth find the flesh inside his mouth.
My heart rate thumps in my chest, watching my parents along with Tanner’s exit the truck. They all laugh and carry on while slowly meandering toward the front door.
“What do we do?” I panic, watching Tanner run a hand down his face.
“Give me a minute.” He stares into space and his thumb cracks his knuckles.
“We don’t have a minute. We have, like, ten seconds.” Under the table is looking pretty good at this point.
My dad’s roar of laughter fills the small restaurant as soon as they all enter, and I tuck my body as close to the window as I can get. Where are the damn curtains? Turning to the window, I place my hand on the side of my face as nonchalantly as I can.
“Tan?” I beg.
He mimics my motions, shielding his face from our parents. We’re acting as though they won’t recognize their own children.
“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. McCain, Mr. and Mrs. Ashby. How are you all tonight?” The hostess is much friendlier to them than she was to us.