The warm glow of the festival lights lingered in Emma's mind as she walked back to her hotel room The evening had been unexpectedly enjoyable, thanks in large part to her time spent with Alex. Despite her initial reservations, she found herself thinking about him more than she'd like to admit. There was something about him—his dedication to his family, his quiet strength—that drew her in. But at the same time, it scared her. She wasn't ready to let someone in, not after everything that had happened with David.
The town too seaview has been something like a retreat centre, she felt like she was gradually healing, she felt more happy more refreshed and more clear minded, so this is what she has been Missing out on.
Back in her hotel room, Emma curled up on the couch with a book, but she couldn't focus. Her thoughts kept drifting back to the festival, to the easy way she and Alex had fallen into conversation, the warmth in his eyes when he spoke about his family and the restaurant. It had been so long since she'd felt a genuine connection with someone, and the idea of opening herself up again was both thrilling and terrifying.
Meanwhile, Alex was cleaning up the restaurant after a long day. The festival had brought in more customers than usual, which was good for business but exhausting. As he wiped down the counters, he found his thoughts drifting back to Emma. Despite his initial skepticism, he couldn't deny the spark between them. She was different from what he'd expected—vulnerable in a way that made him want to protect her, even though he barely knew her.
As he locked up for the night, Alex replayed their conversations in his mind. Lily's words from earlier echoed in his thoughts: "You deserve some happiness too, you know." Maybe she was right. Maybe it was time he allowed himself to get close to someone again. But was Emma the right person? And more importantly, was he ready to take that risk?
The next day, Emma woke up with a sense of anticipation she hadn't felt in a long time. After a leisurely morning, she decided to visit Carter's Bistro for lunch. She told herself it was just because she wanted to try more of Alex's cooking, but deep down, she knew she was hoping to see him again and spend more time with him.
When she arrived, the restaurant was buzzing with activity. It was the lunch rush, and every table was full. Emma hesitated at the door, unsure if she should wait or come back later. Before she could decide, Lily spotted her from behind the counter and waved her over.
"Emma! Hey! Come on in," Lily called, a warm smile on her face. "We're a bit busy, but I'll find you a table."
Emma returned the smile, feeling a bit out of place in the bustling restaurant. "Thanks, Lily. I wasn't sure if it was a good time."
"Nonsense," Lily said, guiding her to a small table near the window. "We're always happy to have you here. I'll grab you a menu, you are always welcome here."
As Emma sat down, she noticed Max, the waiter from her first visit, giving her a curious look. He walked over with a grin. "So, you're back. Couldn't stay away from our food, huh?"
Emma chuckled, feeling more at ease. "Something like that. I was impressed with what I had last time."
Max nodded approvingly. "Alex will be happy to hear that. He's in the kitchen, working his magic as usual."
Emma felt a flutter of nerves and butterflies at the mention of Alex. She hadn't expected to feel this way, excited, yet anxious just at the thought of seeing him again. As if on cue, Alex emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray of dishes. When he saw Emma, his eyes widened in surprise, he was not expecting to see her again Soo soon, but a smile quickly followed as he hid his surprised face.
"Emma," he said, his voice warm. "I didn't expect to see you today."
Emma smiled back, her heart beating a little faster. "I decided to stop by for lunch. Hope I'm not interrupting."
"Not at all," Alex replied, setting down the tray and wiping his hands on his apron. "It's good to see you."
For a moment, they stood there, unsure of what to say next. The bustling sounds of the restaurant faded into the background as they locked eyes, both of them sensing that this was a turning point. They were drawn into each other. Before the silence could stretch too long, Lily returned with a menu, breaking the tension.
"Here you go," Lily said, handing the menu to Emma. "Take your time, and let me know if you have any questions."
"Thanks, Lily," Emma said, grateful for the distraction. As she glanced at the menu, Alex excused himself to check on the kitchen, but not before giving Emma one last, lingering look.
After placing her order, Emma settled back into her seat, watching the activity around her. She noticed how everyone in the restaurant seemed to know each other, the easy camaraderie between the staff and the customers. It was a far cry from the impersonal service she was used to in the city. There was something comforting about it, something that made her feel like she was part of a community, even if she was just a visitor.
When her food arrived, Alex brought it out himself, despite the busy lunch rush. He placed the plate in front of her with a smile. "I hope you like it."
"I'm sure I will," Emma replied, her smile softening. "You haven't disappointed me yet."
Alex chuckled, then hesitated as if debati