A Man to Believe In

“Affordable?”

She shot him a knowing glance. “I think we can negotiate with him.”

She said we. He liked that. A lot. “Well, then I’m happy to buy breakfast. Where shall we go?”

She brightened. “I know just the place.”

God, he loved her grin. One would never know she’d just finished working through the night. Her color was high. Her hair was a crown of curls held back by a baby blue headband that matched the color of her scrubs. Just like on Thursday, she wore a white long-sleeved T-shirt beneath the scrubs, a perfect solution for the air conditioning in the hospital. Her fingers tapped the steering wheel in time to the music playing low on the radio. Being in her company was so comfortable, Peter felt like he’d ridden every day of his life in a car with her.

Cassie pulled into a spot in front of John’s Pancake House. The restaurant was a converted Cape Cod-style house with a red-and-white-striped awning across the front. The place was pretty busy for a Saturday morning before the summer season hit.

“I heard that Montauk was a ghost town until summer.”

“The pancake house is always crowded with locals on the weekend. It’s a favorite spot.”

He opened the restaurant door for her and ushered her in. He followed and almost ran into her back when she stopped short.

A wary surprise filled her voice. “Well, hey, you guys.”

Cassie greeted five people seated at a round table just inside the door. The older two were a handsome-looking duo. The other couple looked to be around his mother’s age, casual in jeans and light sweaters. One woman looked suspiciously like an older version of Cassie. Her mother, perhaps? They seemed glad to see her.

The older woman with the silver braid said, “Morning, Cassie. Just getting off work?”

“Yeah. Friday night was busy.”

All five pairs of eyes fell on Peter. The woman who looked like Cassie’s mother said, “And who do we have here?”

Cassie stepped aside. “Peter Chapman, meet my family. My mother, Beth. Grandma Mica, Grandpa Phil, Aunt Judy and Uncle Micky.”

He shook hands with them all. “I’m Cassie’s newest coworker. I start on Monday.”

Beth gestured to his eye. “Ah, the man who had the run-in with the deer.”

“My reputation is preceding me. Don’t know if that’s good or bad.”

Beth smiled. She even had the same dimple in her right cheek that Cassie had. “All good. Don’t worry.”

He glanced at Cassie and saw the color rise in her cheeks. Had she been saying good things about him? Damn, she was cute when flustered.

“I’ve offered to drive Peter around while his truck is being repaired,” she said.

“And I’ve been stalking her,” Peter added, thinking he was being funny.

The group laughed. “Well, that’s not unusual, young man,” Cassie’s grandfather said.

Grandma Mica winked. “I’m sure Cassie doesn’t mind a bit.”

“So, you came all the way from the Left Coast?” The look in Micky’s eyes said he’d love to help Peter out from this awkward moment by changing the subject.

Peter smiled back, grateful. “Glad to be here, too. Montauk is beautiful.”

“Well, we hope you like it here.”

Cassie gestured toward an empty table far enough away to give them some space. “We’re just going to grab a quick bite. I’m exhausted and want to head home.”

Grandma Mica gestured to Cassie’s figure. “Make sure she eats a pile of French toast. She’s been getting too skinny.”

Cassie rolled her eyes. “Grandma!”

The five said their goodbyes. When she and Peter were seated, Cassie lowered her voice. “Stalking? Really? Did you have to say that?”

Seeing her discomfort, he felt like an idiot. “I thought I was being funny.”

“You don’t know my family. If they even get a whiff of a guy showing interest in me, they start pushing.”

“Why? Are you a charity case or something?”

“You don’t understand.”

“I’m listening anytime you want to fill me in.”

She stared at him a long moment. She might have been miffed, but she sure looked pretty with her hair scooped away from her face exposing the curve of her cheek and those tiny diamonds glistening in her earlobes.

A look of incredulity flashed across her face as something occurred to her. “Are you really stalking me?”

He handed her a menu from the stand on the table. “Nah.” He winced. “Um. Maybe.” He held up a hand. “But I’m not dangerous. Just interested.”

She waved away the menu. “I know what I want.”

He glanced at the choices. “Banana pancakes. Maple syrup. Perfect.”

She was frowning. “You might want to order something without syrup. You’re giving me cavities already, you’re coming on way too sweet.”

He sat back in his chair. “I’m making you uncomfortable.”

“Truthfully? Yes. We’ve only just met. You’ve been flirting with me since you opened your eyes in the E.R.”

He shook his head. “No, I started flirting with you just before I met that deer.”

Gratefully, she laughed, and he noticed her body begin to relax. He released a sigh, leaned closer. “But you’re right. Error is mine on the flirting. I apologize.”

The waitress came by and they gave their orders. When she walked away, Cassie seemed to have relaxed even more at his apology. She smiled, sheepish. “I may have given you the wrong impression, though I have to admit, I had no problem flirting right back with you.”

Wow. Responsible for her actions. He admired that immediately. “I can’t say I didn’t appreciate your attention.”

She smiled. “Thanks.”

Peter leaned closer. “Okay then. How about we start over?” He held out a hand. “Hi, I’m Peter Chapman. New hire. How do you do?”