Gabriel shot him a dark glare. “Ignore him.”

Serenity giggled. “Yeah, well, we’re past that now. How long are you guys staying?”

“Just the weekend,” Gabriel answered, stifling the urge to knock the smug grin off Darius’s face. “We’re going to get something to eat.” It was on the tip of his tongue to invite her, but that didn’t fall under the category of keeping his distance.

“Have a good time. See you later, Gabriel.” She sauntered back to her house.

“Definitely not pushing fifty,” Darius said with a low whistle.

They piled into Gabriel’s car, and he took a scenic route that passed the park where he jogged regularly and one of the older neighborhoods.

“Man, this really is one of those old, small towns.” Brent shook his head. “Are there any jazz clubs, or bars, or something that would pass for entertainment?”

“I haven’t seen any, but Napa is about half an hour away, and they have some there.” He found parking halfway down the block on Main Street and walked back to the family-style restaurant that had become one of his favorites.

Darius still wore a skeptical expression as they stopped in front of the restaurant. “Seriously, man? Ms. Ida’s?” He groaned.

Gabriel clapped him on the back. “The food is good. Trust me.”

“Hey, Gabriel,” Ms. Bernice said. “Takeout?”

“Hi, Ms. Bernice. Not this time.”

A smile covered her face. “Well, follow me.” She led them to a table near the far wall and handed them menus. “You two new in town?”

“Ah, just visiting,” Brent answered.

“I hope you enjoy your stay. Let me know if you have any questions.”

Smiling, Gabriel thanked her.

Darius opened his menu. “You must come here often, if she knows you by name.”

“Nope. I’ve only been here three times. You know that saying about everybody knowing everybody in small towns? Believe me, it’s true.”

“This place has everything,” Brent said with surprise. “I don’t even know where to start.”

The three men pored over the menu, going back and forth over choices before deciding to share a seafood family supper with fried catfish and shrimp and sides of macaroni and cheese, green beans with potatoes, baked beans, and cornbread.

After placing their order, Darius folded his arms on the table. “How’s it going with you and your neighbor?”

“Complicated.”

Brent grinned. “Don’t tell me she’s back to throwing things at your head.”

“Hardly. She’s…I really like her.” He didn’t know how to describe what he felt because he didn’t understand it himself. “We’ve spent some time together talking, and it’s like we’ve been friends forever.” The easy rapport he and Serenity shared still amazed him. The server placed glasses of iced tea in front of each man and departed.

“Sounds like things between you two are heating up.”

“I can’t let it go there.” Again.