Stargazing (The Walker Family Book 2) by Bernadette Marie Page A

that damn tie off and changed one more time.
    There was a beat-up red pickup truck out front of the house, which, when he thought of it, might have been there the night before. Oh, how could he remember anything such as a detail as that. All he could remember was kissing Bethany and hoping he was going to get to do a lot more of that tonight.
    Kent put the car into park and opened the door just as the front door to the house opened and Bethany stepped out.
    To say his breath was taken away, would be an understatement. The short dress seemed to fit her casual style. The bright color highlighted the flame of hair that cascaded over her shoulders. He was sure there was never a time she could possibly look bad.
    He hurried around the to the other side of the car as she came toward him.
    “I’m really sorry I’m late. My nephew was helping me pick out my outfit.”
    “No, you’re fine.”
    He pulled open the door and she quickly slid past him and sat down. Not so much as a hug or a kiss. Something seemed to be bothering her. That was okay too. He just wanted to be with her.
    Kent shut the door and walked around to the other side. “Is there any place you want to go?”
    “Anywhere. Just go,” she said.
    Her arms were crossed and she kept her gaze out the front window. Kent looked back at the house assuming that Susan would be running after her, but the door remained closed.
    “Italian? I saw a…”
    “That’s fine.”
    Kent took a deep breath, started the car, and drove away from the house. It wasn’t promising to be the romantic night he’d hoped for. Perhaps this was better, though. He’d either help her through whatever was eating at her, or he’d quickly realize there was a reason she was the one that was killed off in all her movies.
    He drove through town until he found the restaurant he’d been thinking about when he passed it a few days ago. Usually, you couldn’t go wrong with Italian. How many people could screw up a plate of spaghetti?
    Kent parked his van in the parking lot and opened his door just as she did the same. There wouldn’t be a grand chance to be a gentleman tonight, he thought.
    Closing his door, he could hear her slam hers. He took a deep breath of caution and walked around the van with a smile.
    “I’ve been dying for pasta.”
    Bethany turned to him and kissed him hard on the mouth. The action was so sporadic he tripped backward against the van and hit his head.
    “Sorry,” she said with a regretful look on her face.
    “God, don’t be sorry.” He stood and rubbed the back of his head. “I just didn’t expect that. Certainly didn’t mind it either. What do you say we try that again?”
    For the first time the slightest hint of a smile crossed her lips as she moved in and wrapped her arms around his neck.
    “This is better,” he said as he dipped his head and took over the kiss she’d started.
    When their lips parted, he rested his forehead to hers. “Everything okay?”
    “No. But we can discuss that over dinner. I’m sorry I was in such a mood.”
    “We all have them. I’m here to listen.”
    Kent took her hand, intertwining their fingers, and walked toward the front door of the restaurant.
    Inside was quaint, cozy. The smell of garlic permeated the air. His stomach rumbled and Bethany turned with a grin.
    “Hungry, Mr. Black?”
    “Almost always.”
    “Me too.”
    Her mood seemed to have lifted after she’d kissed him. That had to be positive if he brought out the best in her.
    They were seated in the corner. Red gingham tablecloths adorned each table. Tacky bottles of wine and statues of fat chefs holding pizza adorned the shelves on the walls.
    “I don’t even have to look at the menu. I want spaghetti with meatballs. A huge plate of it. And bread, lots of bread,” Bethany said with wide eyes.
    “You are hungry, aren’t you?”
    “Life is too short to starve. And I’m starving. I haven’t eaten since yesterday sometime.”
    The waitress took their