A zing of attraction zipped through her at the feel of his hand on hers. “That doesn’t mean I can’t help.”

He gestured to the stools at the counter. “That’s exactly what it means.”

“All right,” Syd said as she settled on one of the stools. “If you insist.”

“I insist. So how was your day?”

She couldn’t exactly admit she’d spent most of it trying to decide whether or not to come for dinner. “Housework,” she said. “Nothing exciting. How was yours?”

“Busy. Typical summer day at McCarthy’s. Boats coming and going. Big Mac playing Wiffle ball with the kids on the dock.” As he spoke, he chopped potatoes and peppers. “Dogs, families, bikes, grills, the usual chaos.”

Sydney smiled at the picture he painted. “Is Mr. McCarthy still working?”

“Every day, even though he hardly needs to with me and Mac running the place.”

“It’s working out well? With Mac?”

Luke shrugged. “He’s great. Just like his dad. Nothing really changed.” He opened the antiquated fridge and withdrew a plastic container. “What’s your pleasure? Chicken or steak? Teriyaki or barbeque?”

Sydney contemplated the choices. “I’ll go with chicken and barbeque.”

“Then I’ll do steak and teriyaki. We can share if you want.”

“Perfect.” Despite the attraction that complicated everything about this evening, Sydney realized she was more relaxed than she’d been in months.

“Come on out with me while I grill.” He stepped around the counter and led the way through the dining room to the deck.

Sydney followed with Buddy trailing just behind her.

“I was hoping we could eat out here if the fog held off,” he said.

The evening remained clear and warm, ideal for alfresco dining. “Such an incredible view,” she said as she lowered herself onto one of the comfortable lounge chairs. Whereas her parents’ house overlooked the pond, Luke’s place faced the ocean with the pond just across the way.

“I like it.”

The statement was so typically Luke, to reduce a million-dollar view to three small words, that it drew a smile from her.

He put the foil pouches on a sleek stainless-steel grill and closed the lid. “Stay put for a sec.” Carrying the platter inside, he returned a minute later with a bottle of beer and settled on the lounge next to hers.

Deciding there was no chance of scraps for the moment, Buddy plopped down on the deck.