Chapter Twelve
Josh
Not even the salty sea air, a scent that usually calmed him, could ease his mounting tension. Carina had burrowed herself discreetly and swiftly under his skin. He had no idea how to shake her. With that troublesome thought eating away at him, Josh crossed the bridge and entered the quiet town of Avalon. He looked at the dashboard and was pleased to see he had made good time and wasn’t going to disappoint Lady Jane. She was so excited about their night out that she had gone ahead and secured a reservation for two at the restaurant of her choice.
Josh made a right on Nineteenth Street and traveled the half block to his grandmother’s house, his and Julia’s sanctuary. He pulled into the driveway and stared at the quaint cottage for a minute before turning off the engine. With the exception of a new roof and windows, his piece of heaven had remained exactly the same. This was what he wanted. He was in desperate need of a weekend away, where he could retreat to a time and place that was comfortable, one that didn’t invoke unwanted feelings.
“I know you have better manners than that,” said a spirited voice. Josh must have been so lost in his thoughts he hadn’t noticed his grandmother standing on the front porch. With her hands on her hips, Lady Jane was dressed to the nines in a burgundy dress and black heels. Josh was happy to see that she had indulged in primping and pampering herself.
Josh smiled and stepped out of his vehicle. “Just admiring my date for this evening.”
Lady Jane dismissed his comment with a wave of her hand. “You are too charming for your own good. Now get over here and escort your date properly to the car.” She was blushing at this point, which only made Josh chuckle.
“Of course, my lady,” he said, in his mock English accent. Josh offered his arm and she accepted the gentlemanly gesture. “And where are we dining this fine evening? I have been looking forward to the grand reveal all week.”
Lady Jane squeezed his arm as he walked her to the car. “Well, my fine man, if I must.”
“Yes, you must. Your date prefers to know the venue of his lady’s choice…especially since he’s the one driving.”
Their fake British accents were getting worse by the second, which only made their banter better. Josh opened the passenger side door and lowered Lady Jane into her seat. But before he could close the door, Lady Jane straightened her dress with her fingertips, held her chin high like some English dignitary, and said, “Very well. To Lucrezia, my dear grandson.”
It was as if his eighty-year-old grandmother had punched him in the gut. Leave it to Lady Jane to make dinner reservations at Brennan McGinnis’s restaurant. There must be a hundred restaurants within a twenty-mile radius of Avalon! Josh forced a smile and shut the passenger side door. The thought of seeing Carina in a matter of minutes made his heart race. Josh rounded his vehicle and prayed that his grandmother wouldn’t notice his sudden bout of angst. Like always, even around people he loved, he secured his mask and prepared himself for the performance of a lifetime.
***
Carina
Carina stared at Morgan. She had just finished folding a cloth napkin and was now placing it on a table set for two.
“Would it be completely insensitive of me to say that divorce looks great on you?”
Even though Morgan was wearing the typical black pants and white oxford shirt, the standard uniform of the wait staff at Brennan’s restaurant, she looked amazing. Her long ash blonde hair was neatly woven into a bun, drawing observers to her face. With perfect skin, full lips and dark blue eyes, she was and always would be the object of many men’s attention.
Morgan laughed and gave Carina a hug.
“Whose turn is it tonight, ladies? I’ve lost track.”
Carina smiled and turned to meet her brother’s gaze. “We’re not telling. Guess you’ll have to wait for the distinct sound of glass meeting floor.”
Brennan chuckled. “You two are trouble. Always have been.” Brennan gave both Carina and Morgan a kiss on the cheek. “But I’m happy you’re here. Looks like we’re going to have a busy night.”
“I’m happy to help. Just give us our assignments, boss.” Carina adjusted her apron, giving it a double knot so it would remain in place over the course of the fast-paced evening.
“Take your usual tables…and try not to be a danger to yourself or others.” Brennan winked at both Morgan and Carina, an action that Carina figured made most girls blush. Like the rest of her brothers, Brennan was handsome and very single. Carina imagined that he didn’t have difficulty meeting women. His wealth and looks were most likely attracting more women than he could manage. But none must have captured his attention or affections to a level that went beyond a physical one. Brennan had never brought a woman home to meet their parents or made mention of any woman to any of the McGinnis siblings.
Unlike Gabe, Brennan was outgoing and could charm the underpants off a nun. He was funny and could be a real smartass at times but Carina got the sense that it was all a show, that even now, after all these years, she still hadn’t met the real Brennan McGinnis.
Carina stuck her tongue out at her brother. Laughing, Brennan walked toward the kitchen.
“So, you think we’re still going to be up for tonight? The way Brennan talks we’re going to be run ragged by his customers,” Carina said, provoking her friend.
“Are you serious? I’ve been looking forward to this night for months. Nothing, I mean nothing, is going to stop us from letting loose after our shift. We will drink, we will dance, and we will flirt with men at that new club everyone is talking about. After the year we’ve had, we deserve it.” With her hands on her hips and appearing adamant about their plans for the night, it was obvious Morgan had taken the bait. Carina smiled, putting an end to the worried expression on Morgan’s face.
“You’re such a brat,” Morgan said, giving her friend a shove with her hip.
Carina shoved her right back. “Yep, but I’m your brat, remember?”
“How could I forget?”
There was no way either of them could forget how they had gotten to this most comfortable place. Their friendship was solid. But how could it not be? They had practically been raised together. There was nothing they wouldn’t do for each other.
“Well, we better get going and earn our keep.” Carina eyed the front door. People were filing into the restaurant in droves. “Looks like our night is about to get started.”