Once Alethea had started an exploration of Main Street and all the things this little town had to offer, he couldn’t stop her. Her smile had begun upon his announcement that he was able to extend his reservation at the Flutterby and had only increased as they clocked in endless miles walking around town.
Alethea glanced around the Butterfly Diner with something akin to wonder. “I didn’t know places like this still existed.” She grabbed the menu and started scanning the gazillion items featured. “They have patty melts. Who makes those now? And ‘ha ha’ on the cooking lessons. If you’re trying to worm your way out of letting me cook—”
“Hey, Xander.” Jason Corwin stopped at their table on his way to the register. “You’re starting to look like a Butterfly Harbor native. You must be Alethea.”
“Uh-huh.” Alethea’s mouth dropped open. “You’re—you’re Jason Corwin. The Jason Corwin. Like with the...and the...” She gaped at Xander. “You mean lessons with him?” She pointed at Jason, who chuckled and folded her hand into his for a quick greeting. “Oh, wow.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too. Xander tells me you’re interested in cooking. I’ve got some free time later this afternoon. My fiancée and her friends have dress fittings at the inn so I’ve been relegated to the kitchen. I could use some help with dinner if you’re up for it? Then we can go from there.”
“I...uh-huh. Yeah, that would be great. Thank you.” She still clasped his hand and continued to shake it. Xander reached up to pry her fingers free.
“Don’t hurt the chef, Al.”
Alethea nodded. “Oh, sure. Right. Wow. That’s really great of you. Thank you!”
“My pleasure. How’s four o’clock?”
“Perfect. I’ll be there.”
“Excellent. See you then. Oh, Xander. We’ve got a poker game going tonight if you’re interested. Nothing fancy. Just at the sheriff’s station. Six o’clock.”
“I’ll keep it in mind.” Now that he was staying a bit longer, he didn’t have to be in panic mode where the design was concerned. He had time. Didn’t he?
“I didn’t know you know Jason Corwin,” Alethea whispered across the table when Jason went to pay his bill. “I mean, I’d heard he moved out to California, but here? This is so not New York or Chicago.”
“Part of the reason he likes it, I think.” And why it was growing on Xander. “We can postpone our trip to the farm. So you’re good with me asking him to do this? I didn’t want to overstep, but I thought maybe you’d enjoy it after what you told me earlier.”
“No, it’s great. Thank you. I can’t seem to stop saying that, can I?” She pressed her hands flat against her pink cheeks. “Wait. Jason Corwin, an award-winning chef, eats here? In a diner? How is that even...” She trailed off as Paige swooped in, order pad in hand.
“You’ll find out after one meal,” Paige announced, looking anything but offended. “Xander, nice to see you again. And this would be?”
“My sister, Alethea,” Xander told her and swore he saw relief cross her face. He frowned. Why relief? “She decided to join me on this trip.”
“Welcome to Butterfly Harbor, Alethea,” Paige said. “And if you’re wondering, Jason’s a fan of the patty melt, too. Ursula works magic on grilled onions.”
Magic. Xander found himself grinning. He couldn’t get away from thoughts of magic, butterflies and, thus, Calliope even if he wanted to. And he didn’t want to.
“Then that’s what I’ll have,” Alethea announced. “Are the onion rings good?”
“Everything’s good,” Paige confirmed. “We also make a killer mocha shake if you’re up for it?”
“Make it two of everything,” Xander said. He wondered if Butterfly Harbor had a gym. No wonder Jason went running every morning.
“Great. Out in a few.” Paige tossed him another smile before disappearing into the kitchen.
“Is everyone here so nice?” Confusion shone in Alethea’s eyes. “Seriously?”