But it was hard to concentrate while trying to formulate a game plan. After all, until three hours ago, this celebration had included Hannah. It was supposed to be a simple, quick trip to the beach for brownies and a sunset show, not a one-on-one date.

Yet the impromptu invitation from Beth and Steve had seemed like a heaven-sent opportunity to take the next step with Christi after dragging his feet for weeks.

Not that his prudence and restraint hadn’t been warranted, in light of their history. Who wanted to put their heart at risk twice?

An excess of caution, however, could immobilize. The time had come to break his self-imposed holding pattern and set a course for a new destination.

As Christi finished her harbor seal tale, he pulled onto the shoulder at the end of the road that led to Starfish Pier beach and set the brake.

“I guess I’m not a very engaging storyteller.” She released her seat belt.

“What do you mean?”

“You didn’t laugh at my punch line.”

There’d been a punch line?

He must not have been listening as well as he’d thought.

“Will you buy the excuse that my brain is still fried from my two presentations and not operating at full capacity?”

A teasing glint sparked in her eyes. “It depends on what you’re going to feed me. I didn’t have lunch, and I’m starving. An excellent picnic will earn you great forbearance.”

“I think the food will pass muster—but we’ll see. Sit tight while I grab it from the trunk and get your door.”

He circled the Jeep, stopping at the back to retrieve a throw and the large white shopping bag that held their dinner. He’d had to scramble to cobble together an impressive picnic after the last-minute change of plans, but the gourmet shop in Coos Bay had come through.

After pulling open her door, he held out his hand. “Let’s claim a dune.”

She didn’t hesitate to tuck her fingers in his. “I haven’t been to this beach yet.”

“It’s not the prettiest one in Hope Harbor—but the tide pools are world-class. They’re at the far end of the beach, past what little remains of the namesake pier.” He nodded to his right as they crested one of the small dunes that buffered the beach from the road. “Tide’s in, though. We’ll have to explore them another day and content ourselves with sand, sea, and seclusion tonight.”

She surveyed the scene as he released her hand to shake out the throw. “It may not be the prettiest beach in the area—but for someone from the landlocked Midwest, this is spectacular.”

“You’re easy to please.”