Christmas at the Restaurant (The Nantucket Restaurant #2)(11)

“We were just talking about that the other day. I think the plan is that I’ll have them Christmas Eve and then he’ll have them for Christmas afternoon and night.”

“I’d like to have you over for dinner Christmas night, if that’s all right. Your sisters too. Everyone is welcome.”

Mandy thought about that for a minute. “Thank you. I definitely want to see you on Christmas too, but why don’t you come to my place instead? It might be easier as Emma and Paul were going to stop by after he sees his parents and I’m not sure exactly what time that will be.”

“Well, if you’re sure? I don’t want to invite myself.”

Mandy gave his hand a squeeze. “I want you there. Thank you for inviting all of us.”

Matt relaxed a little. “Okay. Keep my place in mind for New Year’s Eve then.”

Mandy laughed. “Sure, that’s a possibility.”





Gina’s hair was not cooperating. The cold weather seemed to make it take even longer to dry and she hadn’t cut it in a few months, so it was longer than usual, almost half-way down her back. And it was so thick and wavy that she usually only washed it a few times a week—it actually looked better on day two or three. But, she’d worked the night before and sometimes it seemed her hair smelled like the restaurant—not that Jared was likely to mind that, but she preferred the scent of freshly washed hair and her favorite green apple shampoo.

She’d just finally finished drying it when the phone rang and she was surprised to see it was Alex. It was still so strange to think the guy she’d once had such a crush on had moved to Nantucket and walked into her restaurant. And looked just as good as she remembered.

“Morning beautiful.” His voice was cheerful and she could picture him smiling.

“Hi Alex.”

“Are you still up for showing me that restaurant you mentioned? The Mexican place?”

“Millie’s. Yes, of course.”

“Great. What night is good for you next week? My schedule is wide open.” He laughed.

“I’m off Tuesday night.”

“Okay, Tuesday it is then. Do you mind picking me up? Or I could meet you somewhere downtown. Whatever works for you.”

“I’ll pick you up.” He gave her his address and she jotted it down.

“See you at six then?”

“Six is perfect. See you then, Alex.”





Gina was still smiling as she put the phone down and gave her hair a final brush. Just a week ago she’d been feeling down about the holidays and hadn’t had a date in weeks and suddenly she sort of had two lined up with very different guys—though she wasn’t really sure either was really a date, even though Connie seemed to think so. She hoped that Alex was interested, but she wondered if he was just looking for a friend to show him around. And Jared, as cute as he was, she wasn’t even remotely considering their afternoon at the stroll to be a date. Not in the slightest. But, she was looking forward to it, to seeing what all the fuss was about the stroll.

She added an extra layer, a warm, red cashmere sweater over a snuggly white turtleneck and her favorite soft jeans and black boots. A red hat, mittens and scarf, her long white wool coat and she was dressed and ready to go. She lived about a half-mile from downtown and decided to walk as she knew it was going to be mobbed and nearly impossible to park. Plus, she figured she could use the walk and it wasn’t too bad out. It was cold but sunny and there was no wind.

She left at a quarter to twelve and made her way toward downtown and the Straight Wharf restaurant which was at the beginning of Main Street. She was a few minutes early, but Jared was already there, leaning against the side of a building and watching the crowds. There were already throngs of people of all ages walking around.

Jared smiled and waved when he saw her. He was dressed warmly too in jeans, hiking boots, a hunter green down jacket, navy hat and sweater.

“You made it.” His eyes twinkled as he glanced up Main Street toward the group of carolers in front of the old-fashioned Nantucket Pharmacy. “Shall we go hear some carols and say hi to Connie?”

“Sure, lead the way.”

Slowly they walked along Main Street, stopping as they went to admire the creative Christmas windows. Each store had decorated their windows and storefronts, some with twinkling lights, others with spray snow paint and other decorations. They stepped inside one of Gina’s favorite stores, Nantucket Threads, where Izzy the owner, who was about Gina’s age, was handing out samples of hot mulled cider, selling packets of the cider spice mix and all kinds of fun Christmas sweaters and ornaments.

“Cider?” Jared asked as he took one for himself and when she nodded, handed one to her. Gina took a sip and the hot, sweet beverage warmed her and tasted like the holidays. She smelled cinnamon and other spices. Gina noticed a few new sweaters—not Christmas ones, just pretty ones that she would have liked to get a closer look at, but didn’t want to bore Jared by sweater shopping for herself.

“It looks like you have some new stuff in. I’ll stop back in next week,” Gina said to Izzy as Jared stepped outside. She followed him and they continued on their way. Connie saw them as they drew close and waved. A good crowd had gathered around the carolers and they stayed and listened to several songs before moving on. They were about to step into another store when Jared tapped her arm. “Look, Santa’s coming.”