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"We should head back." Fenella rose from the bench. "I'm getting hungry."

Din stood up and smiled. "I pulled some strings and got us a reservation at Callie's." It had actually been Max who had done that for him, and he should have given the guy credit, but right now he wasn't in the mood to lavish praise on Max.

Fenella's eyes widened. "That's wonderful. I heard that Callie's is exceptional, but that the waiting list is so long that there is no chance of getting in for months."

Now he had no choice but to confess. "To be honest, it was Max who pulled the magic. He traded concert tickets with one of his Guardian buddies for his reservation at Callie's."

"Oh, wow." Fenella looked down at her flip-flops. "Do you think it's okay for me to show up there looking like this?"

"You look perfect." He draped his arm around her middle and held his breath, expecting her to flick it off.

She didn't, leaning into him instead.

He released the breath. "Now the challenge will be to find Callie's. I think it's in the newest section of the village that I haven't shown you yet."

She looked up at him. "We can ask for directions."

"Let's try to find it first on our own. The reservations are for seven, so we have plenty of time."

Fenella waved a hand. "Lead the way."

The pathway was deserted as they headed toward where he remembered the new section was. Fenella would have no doubt preferred the bustle of other people around them, the buffer of public space diluting the intensity of their one-on-one interaction. Still, Din loved having her all to himself and gently, attentively, demolishing the barriers she'd built around herself.

Well, truth be told, it wasn't he who was doing the demolition work. Fenella was doing it all on her own, the safer she felt with him. It hadn't escaped his notice how comfortable she seemed with him, reining in her formidable tongue. It had been nearly fifteen minutes since her last cutting remark, which was a great achievement. She also no longer seemed to feel the need to fill the quiet between them with meaningless chatter or to maintain a façade of breezy indifference.

It was remarkable progress given the short time they'd spent together so far.

They found Callie's quite easily, and as they entered, Callie herself welcomed them with a bright smile.

"It's lovely to see you two here. Please, take a seat." She motioned to a small table for two, one of about twenty in the entire place. No wonder it was booked months in advance. "The menu is on the table, but it's for information only. There is no ordering in my place." She chuckled. "It's like showing up for dinner at your mom's. You eat what's served."

"I love the concept," Fenella said. "Does the selection change every day?"

Callie nodded. "It's a very long rotation, so months can pass before items repeat, but I still try to innovate as much as I can."

As they sat down, Din noticed Ingrid's platinum updo, which could rival Dolly Parton's, and sitting next to her was a guy who looked like the younger version of the colonel from the movieAvatar. Atzil was so muscular that his biceps were straining his dress shirt, with close-cropped light blond hair, and a jaw that could cut glass.

"Talk about serendipity." He motioned with his chin toward the couple. "Ingrid and Atzil are here."

Ingrid turned around and flashed him a bright smile. "Did I just hear my name spoken?"

Din nodded. "I pointed you out to Fenella. She wants to speak with Atzil about a job in his bar."

That got Atzil to turn around. "Come join us." He motioned with his hand.

Din wasn't happy about sharing Fenella with others, but he knew she wanted this. Maybe even needed it.

"Are you sure this is okay? We don't want to intrude."

"It's perfect," Atzil said.

Din rose to his feet and pulled his chair next to Ingrid and Atzil's, and then did the same for Fenella's.

"You should bring the table as well," Ingrid said. "Once Callie starts serving the meal, we won't have enough space on this small table for four plates."

"Good point." Din lifted the small table and pushed it closer to theirs.

"So, Din," Atzil said after Din sat down. "I hear that you are visiting us from Scotland. How long are you going to stay in the village?"