“This.” She waves her hand over the table and gestures to the town. “I want to make my own living, have my own friends, and go on dates with my handsome boss.”

I smile at her. “All of those things sound good to me.”

The sun sets over the water as Izzy and I finish our meal, and I pack the leftovers in the basket.

“Let’s walk over here,” I suggest and take her hand in mine to lead her down a path to the edge of the cliff where a bench sits. “Have a seat.”

“This might be the best view in the world.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

She glances my way and sees that I’m looking at her. “You’re charming.”

“I’m not, no.” I tuck a piece of blond hair behind her ear. “But I’m taken with you, Isabella, and I find myself wanting to be near you more often than not.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“Not from where I’m sitting.”

I lean in and kiss her cheek. I want to pull her to me and claim her mouth with mine, but we aren’t the only two in the park, and I don’t want her to miss the sunset.

“Watch.”

I point west, and we sit in silence as the sun slips behind the horizon.

“I had a lot of fun tonight,” Izzy says as I walk her up the steps to the front door. “And I’m not just saying that because it’s customary when a date is over.”

“I enjoyed myself, as well.” I brace my hand on the doorjamb next to her head and lean in to brush my lips gently over hers. “I’d like to see you again. And often.”

“I’d like that, too.” Her voice is breathy, and her hands grip the front of my shirt as I take the kiss deeper, enjoying the last few moments I have with her.

Suddenly, the porch light comes on, startling us both.

“Thought you’d like to see what you’re doing out there,” Maggie calls through the door.

Izzy laughs.

I scowl.

“Maybe you should go ahead and move back in with me so I don’t have my baby sister as a gatekeeper every time I want to see you.”

“Don’t be grouchy,” Maggie yells through the door.

“Get the hell away from this door before I take you over my knee, Mary Margaret.”

I hear laughter as she walks away. Izzy smiles up at me.

“Thank you for dinner, and the incredible view. And the conversation. I was going to ask your mom about you, but it’s better to get the information from the source.”

“I think we have plenty more to learn about each other.”

“I agree. We have time.”