Free See Me by Nicholas Sparks Page B

with our parents.”
    “Gee, thanks.”
    “Don’t blame me. You’re the one who said you were too old for guys my age. Why? Are you changing your mind?”
    “No.”
    “That’s why we’re just having dinner.”
    Maria suddenly spotted another car vacating a spot and she turned, closing in on it. It was still a block or two from the restaurant, but she doubted she’d be able to get any closer. As she parked, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Serena was being way too coy, and Serena seemed to realize it.
    “Stop worrying so much. You’re killing the mood. What’s wrong with spending a little time with your sister?”
    Maria hesitated. “Fine, but just so we’re clear… if you’re planning to have some other guy join us at the table or something crazy like that, I’m not going to be happy.”
    “I’m not Jill and Paul, okay? I wouldn’t set you up on some awful blind date without even asking you. But if it makes you feel any better, I can guarantee that no guy will sit with us. In fact, we’ll just eat at the bar. The view is supposed to be better anyway. Deal?”
    Maria debated before finally shutting off the engine. “Deal.”
     

     
    Located next to one of the piers at Wrightsville Beach, Crabby Pete’s had been around for nearly forty years. Having barely survived one hurricane after the next, the structure might have been condemned had not numerous repairs of varying quality been undertaken over the years. The building sported peeling paint, a listing rooftop, and more than a few missing or broken shutters.
    Despite its appearance, the restaurant was bustling and Maria and Serena had to squeeze through the crowd waiting for tables as they made for the stairs leading to the rooftop bar. Following her sister, Maria noticed the wooden tables, mismatched chairs, and personalized graffiti on the walls. From the ceiling hung items that the original Pete – who’d passed away years ago – had supposedly found in his nets while fishing: hubcaps and tennis shoes, deflated basketballs, a woman’s bra, toys, and scores of license plates from more than ten states.
    “Pretty cool, huh?” Serena called over her shoulder.
    “It’s certainly crowded.”
    “It’s an experience. Come on!”
    They climbed the creaking steps to the rooftop. Emerging into the sun, Maria squinted under a cloudless sky. Unlike in the restaurant downstairs, the tables up here were occupied by adults unwinding with open bottles of beer or mixed drinks in front of them. Three waitresses in shorts and black tank tops scurried among the customers, efficiently picking up empties and dropping off drinks. Half the tables had tin pails filled with crab legs, and she watched as diners cracked the shells to get to the meat.
    “We’re in luck,” Serena said. “There are two seats at the bar.”
    The bar was on the far side, partially covered with a rusting tin awning and fronted by ten stools. Maria followed Serena, winding between the tables in the fierce sun. It was cooler in the shade of the bar’s awning, though, and as they took their seats, she could feel the salt-tinged breeze lifting the long hair off her neck. Over Serena’s shoulder, Maria could see the waves breaking on the shore, blue changing suddenly to white and back again. Even though it was almost dinnertime, hundreds of beachgoers still frolicked in the water or sprawled on towels. The pier was jammed with people leaning over the railing with their fishing poles, waiting for something to strike. Serena took in the scene before swiveling back to Maria.
    “Admit it,” Serena challenged. “This is exactly what you needed. Say that I was right.”
    “Fine. You were right.”
    “I love it when you say that,” she crowed. “Now let’s get something to drink. What are you in the mood for?”
    “Just a glass of wine.”
    “No, no, no,” Serena declared, suddenly shaking her head. “You’re not having a glass of wine here. This isn’t a glass-of-wine kind of