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isn’t it?” Libby’s grin was unrepentant. “I’m not going to let up until you at least go out with him. This would be an awesome first date.” Her gaze wandered away, and she took another sip.
    Delilah narrowed her eyes at her friend. “Spill it. What aren’t you telling me?”
    Color washed up Libby’s face again. “I already asked him, okay? I knew you’d never let me take on some of the work, and I knew you’d want to go to some other towns. So I called him.”
    Delilah gaped. “Libby, you didn’t!”
    Libby’s chuckle held a bit of unease as if she wasn’t sure Delilah wasn’t going to strangle her. “He practically fell over himself in his eagerness to say yes.”
    The mental image of that made Delilah choke back a laugh. “You should have talked to me first. So when did he agree to take me? I need to go right away, tomorrow.” She might be able to get out of it if Tom had plans for the next few days.
    â€œHe’s coming at seven in the morning.” Libby looked smug. “You didn’t think I would let any loophole develop in my plan, did you?”
    Delilah slapped her palm against her forehead. “Why is everyone trying to fix me up with Tom? I mean, he’s a nice man and everything. I like him, I do. Are you trying to get rid of me or something? You want to hire someone else to take my job?” The thought of someone else in this small apartment and behind the reception desk gave her pause. “I’ll just let him know it’s not necessary.”
    â€œYou’ll do no such thing! You need a fast turnaround on those flowers, and this is the way to do it. You’ll have a great time too.” Libby rose and went to throw open Delilah’s closet. “What are you going to wear?”
    Delilah sighed and joined her at the closet door. “Jeans and a T-shirt.” She reached in and grabbed the shirt she usually wore for painting, then held it up to her chest. “How about this one? Goes with my eyes, doesn’t it?” She batted her lashes at Libby, who burst into laughter.
    Libby snatched it away and stuck it back in the closet. “I think these khaki slacks with this blue-and-white sweater would look nice. And those cute red wedges you never wear.”
    â€œI’m picking out flowers, not trying to get Tom’s attention.” But she let Libby lay out the clothes on a straight-backed chair. “I can’t even remember the last time I wore anything but jeans or yoga pants.”
    â€œIt’s high time then.” A self-satisfied smile played around Libby’s lips. “Tom won’t know what hit him.”
    â€œYou’re expecting way too much out of tomorrow,” Delilah warned.
    â€œWe’ll see. Lunch in Kill Devil Hills would be nice. Alec has a car parked in a lot at Kitty Hawk, and you guys can use it to run around.” She dug a set of keys out of her pocket and dropped them into Delilah’s palm. “Have fun.”
    â€œSlave driver.” Delilah walked her to the door, but she couldn’t help a tiny niggle of excitement.

F IVE
    D ELILAH HADN ’ T SAID MUCH WHEN T OM ARRIVED AT Tidewater Inn and escorted her to his boat at the pier. The day was around forty-five degrees, and he put her in the warmest spot he could find right next to him in the bridge. He’d brought several blankets and wrapped her in one before they got started. Only a few clouds floated in the pale-blue sky, but the sea breeze zipped right through his Windbreaker.
    The boat rose and fell with the whitecaps as he turned the boat toward Kill Devil Hills. A dolphin zipped alongside the boat for a while before zooming off to join its pod. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “You okay?”
    The wind lifted her dark curls as she turned her head and smiled at him. “Fine. Thanks for bringing me today. How’d you get off