Bold(21)

He was pulling off his gloves when Devon said, “Ready?”

Reece nodded.

It was a short walk down the cobble street. Several tables had been placed outside on the sidewalk in preparation for the added customers the festival would attract. The red-and-white-checked tablecloths were new and matched those on the tables outside on the patio overlooking the ocean. The Wilsons usually used white butcher paper as a covering with a can of canyons for their guests. People would scribble whatever messages they deemed appropriate, while waiting for their food. The yearly festival brought about all kinds of changes. Whether the tablecloths would be temporary or stay, he had no idea.

As they neared the restaurant, one of today’s specials filled the air. Hush puppies and sweet, succulent crab drenched in butter or served over a crisp bed of lettuce with a dressing Katie had concocted. The scent of another delicacy baking in the oven rose in the air, stroking Reece’s senses, making his mouth water.

When they stepped inside the rustic, wood-planked restaurant, the place was a chatterbox of women. In the middle of them was Tabby surrounded by strips of material that used to be the high school’s old theater curtains. She hadn’t seen their arrival as she gave directions like a drill sergeant.

Reece was impressed.

He had never seen this side of her. Amazing didn’t quite capture what he thought of her as she directed Mrs. Thomas which two panels to sew together while stopping another elderly woman from putting the wrong fringe on a pillow.

Devon burst out laughing. “Never thought I’d see my sister like this. She actually acts like she knows what she’s doing.”

Tabby must have overheard her brother because she glanced over her shoulder. Her eyes met Reece’s, the link between them immediately broken when she turned away without a glimpse of a smile.

She remained upset with him and who could blame her. Yet for the life of him, he didn’t have the vaguest idea how to breach the distance between them and get things back to how they use to be. He couldn’t help wondering if that would be enough now that they had moved from friendship to something more intimate.

Devon took the lead, walking ahead of Reece, while he chanced another look in Tabby’s direction. She had her stiff back to him.

“Patio or inside?” his friend asked.

“Inside.” Maybe he’d find an opportunity to speak to her. Then again, maybe he should let sleeping dogs lie.

Devon chose a place to sit in the back of the large room containing tables and long benches for bigger parties. A cool, salty and somewhat fishy breeze swept through the area from the open doors of the patio.

Tish Martin, who had worked at the Seafarer for ages, strolled up to them with a broad smile for him. “Hey, Devon. Reece.” The willowy teenager had to be eighteen or at least nearing it. She’d had a horrible crush on Brody, which had transferred over to him after Brody and Andie married.

“Hi, Tish,” Devon said.

“Know what you want?” She fidgeted with the pad of paper she held.

“I’ll take whatever Katie is concocting in the oven.”

“Me too,” Reece added. One could never go wrong choosing Katie’s specials.

“Beers?” Tish grinned.

Devon placed a palm to his chest. “Ahhh…a woman after my own heart.”

She giggled. Her grin broadened at Reece, and then she scooted off.

After an older waitress delivered their drinks, Tish came by with a basket of Italian bread. Reece tore a chunk off and took a bite while his gaze roamed over to where Tabby sat measuring a length of material. Vic walked by and said something to her and she laughed, the melodic sound caressing his ears.

They didn’t have to wait long for their lunch since the crowd was just starting to arrive. He took a bite of the seafood casserole and it melted in his mouth while something crunched as he chewed. Seasoned breadcrumbs he guessed and savored the different textures.

“Katie is amazing.” Devon wolfed down another forkful. “I’d marry her if she wasn’t already hitched to Trent.” Trent Parker was a fireman and one of Brody’s closest friends.

Another round of drinks arrived and both men nodded their thanks since their mouths were full.

“So what’s planned for tonight?” Devon took a long pull from his bottle.

“Dinner with Brody and Andie, and then Hauk’s.” For at least one song.

“Hauk got you good.” Devon guffawed. “First time I’ve ever seen anyone get the best of you.”

No. Someone else had gotten the better of him way more effectively than Hauk. Reece glanced toward where Tabby stood folding a huge panel into squares. What the hell was he going to do about her?