The Restaurant (The Nantucket Restaurant #1)(41)

Jill was stunned. It hadn’t even crossed her mind that they wouldn’t pay.

Billy grabbed the check. “Tip’s on me, then. Thank you ladies.”





They walked home and Jill put her leftovers in the refrigerator. It was still early.

“We could walk back into town and go hear some live music at the Rose and Crown if you feel like? It’s not too far of a walk, maybe ten minutes or so.”

“I could use the walk after that food.”

They made their way over to Water Street and the Rose and Crown, which was a pub style restaurant and bar. They often had bands on the weekends and Jill had seen a listing earlier in the week that they were going to have a blues band. She knew Billy loved blues music. They both did, actually.

The band was just getting ready to go on when they walked in and found seats at the bar. Jill stayed with wine and Billy went back to a Jack and Coke. The band was excellent, and they stayed and listened to two sets. The bar was more crowded by the time they started their second set and several people got up to dance when they shifted to a popular country blues song that was climbing the charts.

“Do you want to go join them? This is an awesome song,” Billy said. He was tapping his fingers on the bar and swaying in his seat to the beat.

“Sure, let’s go.”

They joined the small crowd that was dancing and stayed up for several songs. When the music shifted to a slow song and people moved closer together, Jill turned to walk back to their seats, but Billy took hold of her arm and pulled her closer.

“Where are you going? This is a great song too.”

He put his arms around her waist, and she leaned into him and put hers on his shoulders. They swayed to the music and it was nice, though a little strange. For the first time, Jill felt a shift in the air between them. A hint of some kind of vibe was there, and it took her by surprise. But when the song finished and they sat back down at the bar, everything was back to normal and she wondered if she’d imagined the fleeting sense of attraction.





They walked home a short while later, fell into bed and spent the next day sightseeing and out to dinner again, this time at Millie’s, and Billy agreed that their Mexican food was as good as Rosa Mexicano’s, the place they loved in Manhattan. They had a blast, but Jill never got that feeling again and was sure she’d imagined it.

On Sunday, they went to brunch with Emma and Mandy at the Brant Point Grill. The food was elegant and they all had mimosas, which were delicious. Billy charmed her sisters with his funny stories about their crazy business.

“How did it go yesterday?” Jill asked Mandy. She knew Cory was coming to get the kids to spend the night at his new place.

Mandy shrugged. “About as I expected it would. It’s very strange. Cory is on his best behavior. I think he still believes he can change my mind if he’s charming enough. You’d think he’d know better than that. It’s awkward for the kids too. Brooke really didn’t want to go with him and Blake follows her lead. She finally agreed about ten minutes before he arrived to get them. So that was fun.”

“I’m sorry to hear you’ve separated,” Billy said.

“Thanks. I’m sure Jill told you, it’s all a bit sudden. I’m still getting used to the idea.”

“If you need someone to go rough him up, let me know,” Billy offered with a wink and Jill loved him for it. He was always great at lightening the mood.

And it made Mandy laugh. “Thanks. You don’t know how tempting that is. How about we all have another mimosa? I have the rest of the day free, so I feel like splurging.

The mimosas were light, more orange juice than champagne, and they all agreed a second one was a good idea.

When they finished, Jill drove Billy to the airport and walked him in.

“I’m so glad you were able to come this weekend. It’s been ages since you’ve been here.”

“Way too long,” he agreed. He pulled her in for a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. “I had an awesome time. Thank you. Let me know when you’ll be back in town and stay the weekend, so I can return the favor and take you out.”

She smiled. “Will do. Bye, Billy.”





Chapter 17





Mandy was grateful for the leisurely brunch with her sisters and Billy. She’d been looking forward to it and the time went by too fast. When she got home it was early afternoon, and she still had a few more hours before Cory would be bringing the kids back. She puttered around in the kitchen making a batch of stuffed shells for their supper. It was one of the kids’ favorite meals and she felt like pampering them a little. She hoped their night in the new place had gone okay. She knew it had to be strange for them and stressful.

Once the casserole was in the oven, she made herself a cup of chamomile tea and settled on the sofa with Grams’ diary and flipped it open. The next entry was two years later.



Dearest Diary, I know it has been a long time. It has for me too. I never thought I would get over Jay. I was just so sad for so long. But something lovely has happened. I wasn’t expecting it at all, but I went to Nantucket with some friends a few months ago. We went for the long Memorial Day weekend and it was so much fun. But the best part is I met someone special. His name is Charlie, and he’s from there. His family runs a boating business, deep-sea fishing and charters.