Then she looked up at Dixon, who had just been given another beer. “Wait. Why were you talking to Evan Pierce about restaurants?” Corinne had handled every wedding detail thus far, aside from Dixon’s upcoming bachelor’s golf weekend.
Dixon cut his gaze to the right. “Oh. Uh, I had a question about the accommodations for the guests. For my parents, I mean.”
Corinne squinted at him. “I had a long conversation with them about that last week.” She’d invited Herman and Gwendolyn Shackelford to stay at the estate in Meriweather, where the rehearsal dinner and wedding would take place, but they’d decided to stay in Edgartown instead.
Dixon tugged at his collar. He looked like he was about to say something, but he was interrupted by the return of the waitress, this time bearing three plates of food. “Lobster soufflé,” she said as she set them down.
Corinne frowned. “We didn’t order these.” The waitress smiled mysteriously. Corinne peered at Dixon and Avery. “You guys ordered without me?”
Avery just shrugged. Dixon’s throat bobbed. “Try it.”
Corinne shrugged and took a bite. The consistency was creamy, and the lobster was fresh and perfectly seasoned. It reminded her immediately of something she’d eaten in Meriweather. “Amazing,” she murmured, scooping up another bite.
Dixon glanced at Avery, and his friend gave him a knowing nod. “I’m happy to hear you say that, because the chef is going to do our wedding.”
Corinne set down her fork. “But we already have a caterer. The chef from L’Auberge.” Everyone wanted the new French chef on the Manhattan culinary scene. His three unmarked restaurants around the city had already been awarded Michelin stars. Evan had secured him more than a year ago.
Dixon cleared his throat. “Don’t freak out, okay? But there was an issue. That’s why Evan called me today. He had to back out.”
“Back out?” Corinne’s heart sped up. “But our wedding is in less than a month!” Her fingers sought out the hem of the tablecloth. Slowly she began to pick at a loose thread.
“I know,” Dixon said calmly. “Evan knows too. Like I said, she sent us here. Everyone who’s been to this place loves it. And get this: the chef used to work on the Vineyard—he knows the local fishermen, he knows all the good spots for produce, and he’s free the weekend of the wedding. He and I have already talked, and everything’s set as long as you’re cool with it too.”
“Seems like a decent guy,” Avery piped up, and then had the good sense to stand and excuse himself for the bathroom.
Once Avery was gone, Dixon peered into Corinne’s eyes. “Problem solved, right? Right?”
“I don’t know,” Corinne said, feeling scattered.
“Well, I do. This is going to be great.” Dixon handed Corinne her fork. “Now, take another bite of soufflé.”
Corinne did as she was told, chewing it thoroughly before swallowing. “You and Evan have known about this all day, and you didn’t tell me?” she asked, hurt. She looked at Avery’s empty chair. Even he’d known. She imagined Dixon prepping him beforehand. Man, she’s going to panic. Help me talk her down.
“Hey.” Dixon reached out and caught Corinne’s hand. She looked down. Unconsciously, she’d unraveled a whole line of the tablecloth’s stitching; a long red thread dangled to the floor. “Evan didn’t want to worry you,” Dixon said gently. “And neither did I. You’ve been working so hard. And really, the chef here is going to kill it—in fact, there he is now.” His gaze moved past Corinne, toward the back of the restaurant. “He wanted to introduce himself.”
Corinne turned toward the bar and watched as a figure in chef’s whites walked toward them. At first his face was in shadow, but then he walked into the light, offering them a mild smile. Corinne took in his broad frame, his chiseled face, his slender nose and deep-set eyes. He had dark, wavy hair, some stubble on his face, and the kind of smile that seemed slightly teasing, like he knew something you didn’t.
Corinne’s jaw dropped. She actually felt herself shrink down in her chair. It was a man she hadn’t seen in years but had never forgotten. His face was less tanned, his hair longer, his body a little more toned, if that was even possible.
For a second she was transported back to that summer in Meriweather, when Dixon had broken up with her and she’d felt so lost, realizing for the first time that no matter how much she planned, no matter how right they were together, she couldn’t force him to want her back.