The Restaurant (The Nantucket Restaurant #1)(53)

“Peter called earlier to wish me a happy birthday,” Emma said as she dunked a shrimp in the cocktail sauce. “He gave me the update that Tom, the love of his life, has been accepted to culinary school. He’s really going to chase his dream of being a chef.” She’d been a little surprised to hear it. Tom had a really good, well-paying job. She hadn’t thought he was serious about changing careers.

But Paul seemed to approve. “Good for him. We only go around once, might as well do what makes you happy.”

“That’s true. And you love it,” she said.

“I do. I can’t imagine doing anything else. Do you think you’ll go back to teaching, eventually?”

Emma shook her head. “I don’t think so. I enjoyed it, but I’m not really missing it. I want to see if I can do more with the photography and I like the fast pace of the restaurant. It has a different feel when you’re an owner. It matters more. I feel like we have more impact now.”

“We definitely do,” Paul agreed. “And it’s satisfying when the things we try work out—like with the new menu.”

Emma smiled. “The menu has been a hit. Turns out just about everyone loves luxurious comfort food.”

“What’s not to love?” Paul grinned as he checked on the casserole, pulled it out of the oven and set it on the stove to cool. The crumb topping was golden brown, and the casserole was bubbling. It smelled amazing. He made plates for them while Emma topped off their wine glasses.

“I’m feeling like a very lucky girl,” Emma said as she took another bite. “This is delicious, Paul. Thank you.”

She noticed a hint of pink rising on his cheeks. “My pleasure. I’m glad you like it.”

“You know, I was a little nervous when I heard that my grandmother left the restaurant to you too. I wasn’t sure how it would be working together. But it’s been really great. I’m glad we’re friends again.”

“We always got along great. It was always easy being with you. We like the same things, mostly.”

She laughed, thinking of the one thing they didn’t agree on.

“Do you still like that awful hard rock music?” When they were dating Paul always tried to get her to go with him to see some of his favorite bands like Black Sabbath, Metallica and Iron Maiden. She went once and that was enough. It wasn’t her thing, but he loved it.

“What’s not to love?” he said.

“Ugh.”

“Well, no worries, the band playing tonight at The Gaslight is more your speed. Soft rock and country.”

She smiled at that and stood to clear their plates. But Paul wasn’t done yet.

“I hope you saved room for dessert?”

“What is it?”

Paul pulled a pastry bag out of the big box along with two empty cannoli shells. He piped the sweet ricotta filling into each of them, dipped the ends into a container of chocolate shavings and handed one to Emma. Cannolis were her absolute favorite dessert. She took a nibble, savoring the sweet cream with the slight hint of anise flavor. She set hers on a small plate and got one for him too.

“I think I want a coffee. Do you want one?” She made a small cup to have with the dessert.

“I’m good. I’m still finishing my wine.”

When they finished eating, Emma stood and stretched.

“That was so good, and I’m completely stuffed now. Do you mind if we walk into town? I need to work some of this off.”

“I could use a walk too.”

They finished cleaning up in the kitchen and then made their way down Main Street and to The Gaslight to hear some music. The Gaslight had live bands in regularly and this one was very good and it didn’t take long before people were up dancing. Emma had no interest in dancing, but it was fun to people watch. She and Paul both ordered wine and she ordered a glass of water too.

She caught Paul glancing her way a few times with a funny look on his face and she had the sense again that he was hoping they might rekindle some kind of relationship. If she was in that frame of mind, where she was looking to date again, Paul would be a good candidate. She knew that. They were compatible. She liked spending time with him and there had always been an attraction there. She just wasn’t ready to consider a relationship with anyone. She’d told Paul that early on and he hadn’t pushed, which she appreciated. She knew there was always the risk that someone else might come along and she’d miss the opportunity to see if it could work with them, but it was a risk she had to take. She just wasn’t ready to date anyone. But she loved spending time with Paul as a friend. Hopefully, for now at least, that would be enough for him.





Chapter 24





Mandy’s first wedding at Mimi’s Place went off without a hitch. Emma thought the bride and her mother were difficult, but Mandy didn’t think they were unreasonable. Emma didn’t care about the fuss of a big reception when she got married, but Mandy understood that it was equally important to both Caroline, the bride, and her mother. And Mandy’s strength was in managing the finest of details. She enjoyed every minute of planning and overseeing the reception. Paul’s food was gorgeous and drew raves from everyone. Jill helped with the bar and Emma was mostly in the kitchen, getting all the food onto the trays and off to the servers. It had been a solid team effort and after the restaurant cleared out, she and her sisters, Paul and a few other staff members gathered around the bar for a well-deserved after work drink.