It wasn’t the most subtle of transitions, but Stella was desperate for some comfort. Even though they were roughly the same age, Georgia felt like the mother hen of the inn. And Stella could use some motherly advice.
She gestured down at her outfit. “I have a date. Your daughters actually helped me find this outfit.”
“Was it by choice or force? They forced a makeover on me a few months back.”
“A bit of both,” Stella joked. “But they were really helpful. They made me feel a lot better, but I’m afraid the confidence is starting to wane.”
“Nervous?”
Stella let out a shaky breath. “Incredibly. I’m not sure why. I’m leaving tomorrow, you know.”
“Sure.” Georgia nodded. “Why care what people you’ll never see again think about you?”
“Exactly! Why? It’s so silly.”
“The heart is a silly thing sometimes.” Georgia leaned back in her chair, feet tucked under her, and took a sip of her tea. “You just can’t reason with it.”
“Well, I’m not sure if my heart has much of a say in what’s happening here. It’s only a first date.”
Georgia smiled knowingly, and Stella wasn’t sure she liked the silent insinuation. This wasn’t love. You couldn’t love someone after only knowing them a few days. But you could like them, Stella supposed. Though even that seemed rash. No decisions could be made before a first date had even happened.
“I heard from a few ladies working at the theater on Saturday that Sam treated you to a picnic lunch, so I believe that would make this your second date.”
“How do you know my date tonight is with Sam?”
“I’m a mind reader.” Georgia laughed and then arched a brow. “Also because I’ve known Sam since we were basically kids, and I know when he is interested in someone. He likes you, Stella.”
Stella should have spoken with Georgia about Sam earlier. She shouldn’t have made assumptions about their relationship. If she could talk about him going on a date with Stella with this much warmth and kindness, it was obvious there was nothing between them. Stella felt foolish for spending so much time worrying about it.
“Did Barb, Pam, or Cheri tell you that our first date was a bit of a disaster?”
Georgia narrowed her eyes. “How did you know Barb, Pam, and Cheri told me about your picnic?”
“I’m a mind reader.”
They both laughed. Georgia said, “Those ladies and Alma are the only way I stay up to date with the latest news in this town. I’m always so busy around here that I don’t have time to keep up. But no, I don’t think they spied long enough to see how things went.”
Stella ran through the conversation she and Sam had, leaving out everything that was said about Georgia and her husband. She told her how much Sam cared for Drew and all the nice things he had said about him. “I told Sam I thought he and Drew had a lot in common in that they are both charming and talented, and he clammed up. We barely said five words between us the rest of the meal. I’m honestly surprised he agreed to go on this date.”
Georgia frowned. “I think Sam’s response has more to do with him than with you. Clearly, he wants to go on this date with you, so I wouldn’t worry that you messed things up. If I had to guess, I’d say he is out of practice. He hasn’t dated anyone seriously in years, and he may not have known what to say.”
“Why hasn’t he dated?”
“That’s the million-dollar question,” she said. “Sam is a man who knows what he wants, and he isn’t willing to settle. It’s what makes him a great mechanic, and it is also what has kept him single. Whatever you may feel about this date, I know Sam isn’t taking it lightly. He wouldn’t agree if he didn’t like you.”
Stella felt simultaneously better and worse. On one hand, she was more confident in Sam’s feelings for her, but on the other hand, what good were those feelings if she was leaving for Boston soon? What kind of future could they really have together? It wasn’t like he could up and leave his business, and what would Stella do in Willow Beach?
Suddenly, Georgia leaned across the space between them and laid a hand on Stella’s knee. “Just have fun, darling. Don’t overthink things. It will all work out.”
None of those statements had ever been among Stella’s guiding principles. As fun as it was to raise Jace, she couldn’t just cross her fingers and hope things would work out. She had to make plans, overthink everything, and often do the hard work instead of having fun.
“Easier said than done.”
Georgia smiled and then glanced up, her eyes brightening at something over Stella’s shoulder. It looked like she was going to say something, but her mouth fell open slightly in shock, and she just shook her head.
Stella turned around, curious what caused such a reaction…
And saw Sam standing in the doorway. In slacks.
Not blue jeans—honest-to-goodness slacks.
“Wow, Sam. You sure look nice,” Georgia said, a note of teasing in her voice. Stella imagined Georgia was remembering the story the girls had told earlier where she’d had to force Sam unwillingly into dress pants. Now, he was wearing them by choice.
He tipped his head. “Thank you. I knew I’d have to work if I was going to keep up with our out-of-towner here. Turns out I was right.” Sam looked at Stella and everything about his face softened. “You look beautiful.”
“She does,” Georgia agreed. “You both look amazing, and I will get back to my book and let you get on with your date. Have fun!” She gave Stella a small push before reclaiming her spot on the couch and aggressively burying her nose in her book.
Stella didn’t actually say anything until they were outside and she realized she hadn’t given him a compliment yet. “Oh, you look great, too.”
“I can clean up all right,” he admitted,
