With that decision made, I allowed some cool water to run over the pulse point in my wrist for a moment. It helped soothe me a bit before I dried my hands and made my way back out to the patio, and the table where our server was waiting to take our order. Scratch that, she seemed to be flirting with Tucker. He looked uncomfortable with the attention, at least, so there was that. When I made my way over there, I tapped the waitress on the shoulder. “Unless you’d like to sit down and take my place tonight, I’m going to need you to move,” I instructed in a silky-smooth voice that dripped with southern elegance, and not a hint of outright hostility. I was proud of myself.

“I’m so sorry,” she offered as she jumped right out of the way so I could be seated across from Tucker again.

He ignored her and gave me his undivided attention. “Are you okay?”

“I’m just fine, and I already know what I’d like to have this evening too.” I turned to the server who was blushing profusely. “I will take the Roasted, Springer Mountain Chicken and Pimento Cheese Grits with Green Tomato Relish,” I informed her without even looking at the menu. Truth be told, I didn’t have to see the menu, because I had long ago memorized exactly what I would get if I ever managed to obtain a reservation there, and had the time or the reason, to go. Fine dining wasn’t necessarily the best solo sport for a woman with anxiety and self-confidence issues.

Tucker placed his order, but I honestly tuned him out and was too busy taking in the scenery and the people around us to care. At least, that’s what I’d been doing until he reached across the table and took my hand in his. Our server had gone already, and I hadn’t noticed because I’d been so checked out of the whole situation. “Are you sure you’re okay?” He asked as his thumb gently rubbed across the top of my hand as his fingers wrapped around my own.

“Why did you bring me here?” I asked, needing to know the answer.

He sighed and sat back, relinquishing the hold he had on my hand as he did so. “It’s one of my favorite places,” was his answer.

“I see. So, you come here often?”

“Not excessively, but it is sort of close to work and…” Tucker hesitated, glanced around as if an answer would come to him out of thin air, and then he brought his attention back to me. “I don’t know what answer you’re looking for here, and I feel like no matter what I say, it’s going to be the wrong thing.”

“This is where you bring all your dates, or a good portion of them, isn’t it?”

He sighed. “I shouldn’t have brought you here. I thought you’d like it though. It’s peaceful to eat out here on the patio, overlooking the river.”