Page 82 of Blizzards and Brews

“We are,” I confirmed, wrapping my fingers around Ollie’s. “We’re off to dinner now. It’s date night.”

“Oh, how cute!” she gushed. “A little bird told me that you went into Adrien’s shop and I just had to flutter on down here and see for myself.”

Because she was a shameless gossip… but I kept that thought to myself. Which was a feat as she kept going on about us as kids, rehashing all the awkward moments this town witnessed.

Holiday Hollow was home. It was amazing and sweet and the residents were some of my favorite people in the world.

It also had its downfalls. Like listening to old ladies stop you from getting food for their own entertainment.

Okay, maybe I was getting hangry.

“As much as we’d love to stay and chat, we can’t miss our reservations. It was so nice to see you, Mrs. Smith. Tell Hector hi for us!” I said in a rush, grabbing his hand and pulling him along with me.

“Where are we going?” Ollie hissed.

“You know that empty building around the corner? Claire told me that there’s a pop up restaurant there for the next few weeks. We all thought it was just under construction and it was all hush hush. Well, she said they were looking for people for an exclusive dining experience. I got us in.”

“What?!” he gasped, eyes widening with excitement and shock.

“Come on,” I said, turning the corner in question. It didn’t look like anything on the outside but when I pushed open the door the inside was amazing.

The exposed brick walls were covered in copper decorations. The tables were dark wood and copper, giving it an almost steampunk vibe, especially with the gears hanging above the tables with Edison bulbs swinging below.

“Welcome, welcome. Name?” a man asked as he swept toward the door. He had his red hair slicked back and a fully tailored suit on. His smile was wide and welcoming.

“Drake,” I offered with a smile.

“Ah, guests of honor,” he said as he turned. “Follow me.”

“‘Guests of honor?’” Ollie asked, but I was just as baffled as he was.

“My friend Claire told me to treat you like royalty, you’re our VIPs tonight,” he said as he led us to a small, two-person table in the corner. It was set away from the others and had partition walls with ivy hanging down separating us.

“Thank you,” I said, too shocked to offer a more eloquent response.

“You are more than welcome,” he promised. “Now, in your reservation you said chef’s choice. Be prepared for perfection.”

He was teasing but the confidence in his tone was reassuring.

After taking our drink order he was gone again and Ollie was blinking at me.

“All this for me?”

“Of course,” I said as I took his hands in mine. There was a slight tremble to them and I frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“It just feels like too much,” he said but I wasn’t having it.

“Hey, I said no guilt, remember?” I said gently. “This is just enough. Plus, I’m going to be spoiled too. Did you hear him talk? That man knows fine dining. This is a fun, new experience. We’ll have plenty more together.”

“I’m so lucky,” he said as he blinked away tears.

“I am too,” I promised, kissing his hand and making him blush again. It was quickly becoming one of my favorite things.

The next hour was a whirlwind of amazing gourmet dishes and enough food that by the time I was walking him out of the door we were both borderline miserable.

“I don’t think I can eat our dessert,” I said as we ambled down the sidewalk toward my car. “Good thing we’re walking part of the way.”

“Agreed,” he said with a happy sigh. “No regrets. This was my favorite day with you.”