After David and I parted, I went inside and called Aunt Charlie. I talked to Mia for a couple minutes, but I discovered that conversations with a thirteen-month-old over the phone were quite the challenge. I knew she was in good hands, but I still worried. After I finished talking to Aunt Charlie, I spoke to Callie about dinner the next night, and she was game for it. I was curious how it would go since we were all mostly strangers. Sleeping with David two years ago made us more than strangers, but certainly not friends. More like acquaintances. Who’d fucked.

He called me as promised, and we talked into the wee hours of the morning. We both decided we would spend time with our friends the next day and then meet up at the restaurant. Callie and I did some shopping in the souvenir stores, with me picking up an adorable little t-shirt for Mia and a few cheesy souvenirs for Uncle Walt, Aunt Charlie, and Gran.

I indulged in a short nap before we headed to The Local House. We walked in the front door, and the smells of delicious food wafted around us. There was a lot of lively chatter going on from the bar. It looked like a restaurant near the beach would with everything being tan and powder blue. There was an additional room attached to the main restaurant, and I could see people sitting at tables in there eating. I also spotted a staircase that led to the upstairs where I saw people eating when we’d arrived.

“Good evening and welcome to The Local House.” The hostess greeted us. “Just the two of you ladies?”

David told me he’d placed a reservation under his name. “No, um, we’re meeting some friends here. There’s a reservation for Marshall, I believe.”

“Oh, yes, ma’am, the gentleman are upstairs. Please, follow me.”

We straggled behind her like little lambs as she guided us through the maze of tables and up the stairs. Just then, I spotted David and his friend. I gave a cursory glance at his friend, but then my eyes went straight back to David, and I couldn’t look away.

A smile broke out across his face when he saw me. He rose from his seat when the hostess reached the table and directed me to the chair to his immediate right. Chivalry wasn’t dead apparently, and he pulled my chair out for me. Once I was settled, he took his seat.

“Hi,” David greeted me, a goofy grin on his face.

“Hi, yourself.”

“I’m so glad you could come.” This time he spoke a little louder and addressed Callie as well.

“Thanks for the invite,” Callie told him.

“It was my pleasure. I guess I should introduce you guys. This is Kyle. He and I served together.” Kyle nodded as he was introduced.

“This is my best friend, Callie.” Then my attention returned to David, and I let Callie and Kyle talk to each other. The nice thing about Callie was that she never met a stranger. She could talk the ear off most people so I wasn’t worried about her feeling ignored. I knew she could keep the conversation between herself and Kyle going. To the point that I briefly felt sorry for Kyle. Callie was a force to be reckoned with, and I’m sure she would overwhelm him. Especially since he gave off that strong, silent type vibe. I almost felt guilty about ignoring them, but it didn’t last long. Especially after David reached out for my hand.

“Did you have a good time today?” He rubbed his thumb across my knuckles, and his question took a few seconds to register.

“I did. We went shopping, and I bought a few trinkets to take home to the family.”

“It’s crazy the number of souvenir shops that grace the town. It’s been awhile since I’ve been to any beach town, and I forgot how many there were. Plus, I’m not much of a shopper, so I don’t really pay them much attention.”

“Honestly, I’m not really a fan of shopping either, but I always pick up something for my relatives when we go on these trips. And surprisingly, I had fun looking for things for Mia. I hate shopping for myself, but baby girl clothing is so adorable that I can’t help but love finding the cutest outfits for her. I try to buy something a little big because she grows out of everything so fast.”

“I can’t wait to meet her.”

Throughout the evening, conversation flowed. We each enjoyed our meal, and I sipped slowly on my single glass of wine. I hadn’t had a drink in so long; I didn’t want to get too tipsy.

Eventually, we all finished our meals, but I was reluctant for the night to end. I wasn’t ready to leave David. As if reading my mind, while we were waiting for the bill, he leaned over to whisper in my ear.

“Kyle can take Callie home. Why don’t you and I get out of here?”

“Definitely.”

We paid the bill and headed downstairs. I asked David to give me a minute while I let the Callie know I wasn’t coming home with her.

“I’m going with David. He said that Kyle offered to take you home. Are you okay with that?”

Callie wiggled her eyebrows. “Of course. Don’t worry about me. But, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Oh, and use protection this time, would ya? We already know he’s got good swimmers.”

“Oh my God, Callie. You’re such a bitch.” I embarrassingly, and jokingly, laughed at her words.

Her expression turned serious then, and she spoke softly. “On a serious note, though, please be careful. I don’t want to see you hurt, sweetie. You really don’t know him, and no matter what he says about stepping up to the plate for you and Mia, you never really know someone. Just guard your heart a little. For me.”

I hugged her for her thoughtfulness, because this woman cared for me, and I knew she meant well.

I jogged over to where David stood, and we both said our goodbyes to Kyle as he made his way over to Callie. They both walked down the street toward where we’d parked and then disappeared around the corner. David took my hand in his and led me across the street and over to the beach. We walked hand in hand, the sun slowly setting around us. We talked of inconsequential things until he turned me so I was facing him.

He swallowed, almost nervously, and brushed the hair off my face.

“I rented a room at a little bed-and-breakfast for the night. I honestly don’t expect anything to happen tonight unless you want it to. I just wanted to take you somewhere private where we could spend some alone time. They have a large garden tub in the room I rented. I bought some bath salts so you could take a nice, relaxing bath. I’m sure you don’t have a lot of time for pampering back home. I wanted to do something special for you. There is wine and chocolate as well.”

I think it was at that moment that I fell in love. Where were the flaws? Because right now, I had yet to find any evidence of one. David Marshall was perfect. He was so getting laid tonight.