Page 28 of The Perfect Distraction

“To a beautiful night with a beautiful woman.”

It was so unexpected that she almost bobbled her wineglass. “Oh. Well, thank you,” she said and clinked glasses with him.

They each took a long drink, and she eyed him warily over the rim of her glass. While she’d appreciated the compliment, his words had knocked her off balance.

Seeming to sense her distress, he leaned forward and said, “It was just a compliment, Beth.”

And now I feel like an idiot! “Sorry. I tend to read into things too much. At least, that’s what my sister always says.”

“Which one? You have two, don’t you?”

“Um-hmm. I was referring to Becca, the middle sister. Brooke is the youngest.”

“Are you close to them?”

“Very, especially Becca since we’re only a few years apart.”

“I just realized that all your names start with ‘B.’ Is that a coincidence?”

She laughed. “Unfortunately, no. My mom’s name is Brenda, and my dad is Bill, and they thought it would be cute if we all had ‘B’ names.”

Colton smiled. “It is kind of cute.”

“Ugh! I hated it growing up. What about you? Tell me about your family.”

“I have a younger brother, Mason, who works with me at the shop. My dad is Joe, and my mom is Judy. I guess they could have named us Jack and Jonah, but they didn’t.”

She laughed. “Be glad. So, you named Joey after your dad. He must have liked that.”

“Who, Joey or my dad?”

“Both? Either?”

“I think they both like it. Joey gets along great with my dad.”

“What about your mom?”

“He’s close to her too, more so ever since…”

“The divorce?”

“Yeah. How’s your salmon?

She understood his need to change the subject. “Delicious.”

“Do you want a taste of my halibut?” He held up a forkful, but she shook her head.

“I’ve got plenty, thanks.” Something about accepting a bite of food from his fork felt a bit too intimate. Although looking around, she realized how romantic the setting was. Strands of white lights were draped across the deck railings, and each table had a candle flickering in the center along with a bud vase containing a single red rose. Boats sailed in and out of the harbor, and most of the people seated around them were couples enjoying their expensive meals in their dressy clothes. It didn’t get much more romantic than that.

For the next hour or so, they shared more details about their families, their jobs, and their lives in general. As she listened to him talk, she realized how much more open he seemed than when she’d first met him. Or maybe it was the wine the waiter kept pouring.

Beth was starting to feel that pleasant, fuzzy feeling that came from alcohol. But it wasn’t just the wine. Colton was proving to be great company, and he was easy on the eyes. It was true what they say about someone becoming better looking after you got to know them. And with that thought, she decided to cut herself off. When the waiter came around the next time, she placed her hand over her glass.

“Would you like to see our dessert menu?” the waiter asked.

“Beth?” Colton said, deferring to her.

“Oh, why not?” she said gaily. “I’m on vacation!”