Zach curled his fingers around Amy’s. “You look nervous.”

“Maybe a little.”

He frowned and looked up at the Season’s Bounty sign hanging above the door to the restaurant. “It’s just Jackson and Paige. You’ve hung out with them before. What’s wrong?”

She shook her head. “That was different. We weren’t—you didn’t—it was just different.”

Giving her arm a little tug, he pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. Sparkling heat spread out from where their bodies touched and he looked into her eyes. “I wanted us to be. Does that count?”

Amy swallowed. “Um.”

“They knew it, too.”

Her laugh was strained. “It’s hard to think like this.”

“Good. Don’t think. Just be yourself and have fun. Okay?”

“Yeah. Yeah, okay. You really wanted to be with me, like an item, all summer?”

Zach pulled open the door and held it while Amy walked through. What kind of question was that? Hadn’t he made that clear? Was what he’d taken for disinterest, or at least caution, simply that she hadn’t understood what he was asking? “Yep. Guess I wasn’t as obvious as I’d thought I was.”

The hostess smiled as they approached. “Hi Zach, long time no see. You heading back to the kitchen?”

“That’s the plan. Jackson here yet?”

The girl shrugged. “I think Paige said he should use the kitchen door. We don’t see him out front all that often. But if he’s off work and it’s Friday, he’s probably back there.”

Zach chuckled. “True. Good to see you.”

With Amy’s hand still clasped in his, Zach made his way through the restaurant. There were already several tables seated. It looked like another busy Friday night on tap for Paige. He waved to a server as he pushed open the swinging kitchen door. The clatter of pots and pans and loud voices calling out orders and times hit like a cresting wave of sound.

“Whoa. We’re eating in here?” Amy leaned away from the noise, her brow furrowed.

“You get used to it. And at the table, it’s not so bad. Come on. If it’s too much, we don’t have to stay long, but give it a shot?”

She gave him a long look before nodding. “All right.”

What did it say about him that he barely noticed the cacophony anymore after the initial shock? He led her to the chef’s table tucked in an out-of-the-way corner. Jackson sat on one side, a bowl of soup steaming in front of him, his nose tucked in a book.

“This seat taken?” Zach flicked Jackson’s book.

“Hey man, you made it. And Amy, great to see you. Sit down. The kitchen’s already hopping, but Paige’ll probably be able to swing over for a minute before too much longer. This first wave was earlier than they anticipated.” Jackson tucked a bookmark between the pages of his tome and set it aside. “How are you doing, Amy?”

Zach waited as Amy slid across the bench before settling next to her. He nudged her shoulder. “He asked how you’re doing.”

Amy groaned. “It’s not that loud. I’m well. Yourself?”

Jackson chuckled. “Good. We’re making progress on wedding plans, slowly but surely. So that’s positive. And I’m still loving my job, which is a huge blessing. Zach says you’re in charge of the Christmas program this year?”

“Did you set a date yet?” Amy folded her arms on the table.

“We’re not making quite that much progress. But since we haven’t actually known each other an entire year yet...I understand not feeling a need to rush. Though I’d prefer to set a date so we have something to tell people.”

Zach snickered. “Getting tired of being asked?”

“Ugh. You have no idea.”

“He has no idea about what?” Paige slid onto the bench next to Jackson and pecked his cheek. “Hi Amy! I’m so glad you could make it. Hey, Zach.”

“Oh, sure. You’re all excited about Amy and I get the ‘yeah, whatever’ treatment.” Zach frowned.

Paige flashed a grin. “Aww, poor Zach. But you forget that I saw you recently. I haven’t, however, seen Amy since...gosh, the picnic when we got engaged. What’s new? Wait, hold that thought. Let me get you two some soup. Something to drink? I’ve got a new pumpkin spice iced tea I’m playing with if you’re willing to beta test. I don’t think it’s ready for primetime, but I can’t figure out what’s wrong with it.”

Zach licked his lips. That didn’t sound promising. But Paige was her own worst critic. It probably wasn’t that bad. “Sure, I’m game.”

Amy lifted a shoulder. “I’m not a huge pumpkin fan...but, why not. Water too, just in case?”

Paige laughed. “You got it.”

“Masterfully done. Thanks, man. I owe you one.” Jackson spooned up some soup.

“What’d I do? I’m not opposed to you owing me one, mind you. I just like to know why.”

“The date thing. Paige is...even more tired of being asked than I am. But she’s still dragging her feet about setting one. I don’t know if there’s something else going on or what. Honestly, I try not to think too hard about it. So—here she comes.” Jackson mimed zipping his lips closed.

“All right. Two iced teas. You’re braver than Jackson. He passed. And two of the special soup.” Paige unloaded the small try and set the bowls and glasses down in front of Zach and Amy, then sat. “So, take a sip. Tell me what you think.”

Zach sniffed the tea. It didn’t smell weird. He took a sip. It was...definitely pumpkin flavored. And yet, still iced tea. “Um. It’s kind of like cold pumpkin pie. That you drink. Needs whipped cream.”

Paige pursed her lips. “Hmm. Have you ever had Thai iced tea?”

“Sure, that’s great.” Amy stirred her tea with the straw before taking a sip. “Huh. Zach’s pretty much right on.”

“Give me a second. I’ll be right back.” Paige darted back into the kitchen.

“You really wouldn’t try it?” Zach shook his head. “What kind of fiancé are you?”

“One who doesn’t like pumpkin anything. She knows this about me and still loves me. What can I say?”

“Lucky man. I’m pretty sure I couldn’t love someone who didn’t appreciate pumpkin spice flavored things in the fall.” Amy patted Zach’s arm. “So major points for you.”

Warmth spread through him. Silly, really. She hadn’t said she loved him. But...she could. Since he was sliding rapidly in that direction, it was an encouraging thought. Especially given the way his heart was acting lately. Love. How did you know when you were ready to say it?

“Here we go.” Paige returned to the table and poured a splash of something from a small pitcher into their glasses. “Give that a stir and try it again?”

Zach swirled his straw through the tea and sipped. “Oh, wow. Now it’s pie with whipped cream. That’s delicious. What’d you add?”

Paige shook her head and watched Amy take a sip.

“Mmm. Seriously, that’s good. It’s just the extra punch it needed.” Amy took another long pull from her glass. “Unlike Zach here, I’m pretty sure I don’t want to know what you added because then I’ll be thinking about how many calories are in it.”

“And that’s just one more reason I’m glad I’m a guy.” Zach took another sip and pushed his glass across the table toward Jackson. “You really have to try it. Just a little sip.”

“No, he’s fine. He doesn’t like pumpkin.” Paige turned her head as the kitchen erupted with shouts. “And that’s my cue. I’ll try to be back before long. We have a really nice new bruschetta on the menu for fall.”

“You do this every Friday?” Amy dipped her soon into the bowl of soup in front of her.

Jackson nodded and sniffed Zach’s tea. He lifted it and took a tiny sip from the glass, holding Zach’s straw out of the way. “Most Saturdays, too. This is actually pretty good.”

“Told you.” Zach took back his drink. “What do you do, now that Ben and I aren’t your constant companions?”

Jackson tapped his book. “I’ve been getting a lot of reading done. Sometimes I bring my laptop and play games or do a little extra work. Whatever. I just like being able to have whatever minutes she’s able to spare. And since I’m not bothering her over here, and she doesn’t mind losing the Chef’s table for paying guests...it works.”

“Huh.” Amy scraped the bottom of the bowl. “The food’s amazing. That has to help.”

“Doesn’t hurt.” Jackson grinned. “So what brings you two out this way tonight? I thought you had family game night tomorrow?”

Amy looked at Zach and raised her eyebrows.

Uh-oh. Was he not supposed to have told anyone? That didn’t make sense. She knew he had roommates—and friends. “That got changed. Amy’s worried about leaving her apartment empty with kids looking for candy. So we’re going to hang there, instead. But I was planning to join you tonight and she agreed to come. And here we are.”

“Hey, look what the cat dragged in.” Ben sidled up to the table and punched Zach on the shoulder. “Got room for two more?”

Rebecca eyed the booth. “Or we can just go sit out front like normal people instead of mooching.”

“Nonsense. Slide in.” Jackson patted the empty space next to him. “There’s room.”

“You first.” Ben nudged Rebecca and waited ‘til she was seated to scoot next to her. “What’s on the menu tonight?”

“So far some amazing soup and iced tea. But Paige said something about bruschetta if things calm down a little.” Amy smiled and lifted her fingers in a little wave. “Good to see you guys again.”

“You too. How’s school going?” Becca propped her elbows on the table and leaned in.

Zach listened for a minute as the girls talked and cocked his head at Ben. “What brings you two out tonight?”

Ben’s eyes darted over to Rebecca, but she and Amy seemed oblivious to anything outside their own conversation. He rubbed the back of his neck. “We just needed to not be in the house alone, you know?”

Jackson groaned. “I get it. Not sure Zach does. Yet. But being engaged...”

“Right?” Ben shook his head. “Not like it was easy before, but now? It’d be so easy to rationalize...and yet...”

Zach winced. “Do you need me to hang at home tomorrow and help with the candy?”

“Nah, with the bell ringing all the time, we should be okay.”

“I’ll make a point of getting home before nine.” Jackson ran a hand through his hair. “We’ve really got to set a date.”

Ben’s chuckle was dry. “Tell me about it.”

Zach snapped his mouth shut on a response. Who was he to say anything? He had no idea, not really. He could imagine—he spent enough time lately talking himself out of trying to kiss Amy. Of course, he’d also planned to stop that particular conversation and just do it...but maybe he needed to rethink.

“Hey! You’re all here. It’s like a party.” Paige set a huge plate of bread covered in a glistening concoction that looked primarily like vegetables down in the center of the table. “I’ll get more soup, and some tea. And maybe I can even hang out for a minute.”