Page 16 of Second Time Around

“Good?” he asked.

“Delicious. I’m glad the new owner didn’t change the recipes.”

He chuckled. “I probably would have had a mutiny on my hands.”

They ate and drank in silence for a few minutes, but it didn’t feel awkward. In the past, they’d shared numerous meals, not just at restaurants but at their family’s homes too.

“It was nice to see your sister again. The last time I saw her, she was only fifteen.”

“Speaking of sisters, how’s Stacy? Are you two still close?”

She nodded. “We’re in a book club together, and we see each other a lot. She has a new boyfriend, Nick, and I think they’ll end up getting married.”

He raised his brows. “Last I knew, she was already married.”

“She and Cole divorced a couple of years ago.”

“Oh. Any kids?”

“No, but she wants them.”

“What about you?”

Her eyes bugged out. “What about me?”

He laughed. “Based on your reaction, I’m guessing marriage and children aren’t on your radar.”

“Hell no!” She must have said it too loudly, because an elderly woman two tables over glared at her.

“Ever or just right now?”

“No comment. Just eat your sandwich.”

He smirked at her but picked up his sandwich and took another bite. After they’d finished eating, she expected him to go back to work, but he lingered.

“Thanks for having lunch with me, even though you didn’t really want to.”

She met his eyes, and there was no denying his sincerity. “It wasn’t all bad,” she grudgingly admitted.

“There’s still the brownie too,” he reminded her.

She smiled at that.

“Jenna, I…”

Then the waitress reappeared. “Sorry to interrupt, boss, but you’re needed in the kitchen.”

“No problem. We’re finished anyway,” Jenna said, hoping he’d catch the double meaning.

“Right. Mandy, can you bring my guest a brownie and ice cream? And I’m covering the bill.”

“Sure thing,” she said and wandered off.

Beck stood up and gathered their empty plates. “I hope to see you again soon.”

Ignoring that, Jenna said, “Thanks for lunch. It was really good.”

He looked like he wanted to say more, but then he turned and walked away.

A few minutes later, the waitress returned with her dessert and another lemonade.

Since Jenna wanted to avoid further conversation with Beck, she wolfed it down in record time. Then she placed a tip on the table for the waitress and hurried out of the restaurant.

She drove away with a full stomach and a satisfied palate, yet something was missing. It couldn’t have been his company, because she’d gone without it for twelve years. Still, there was something gnawing at her that wouldn’t let go.

She thought he’d been about to bring up that night when they’d been interrupted. While she hadn’t wanted to go there, part of her wanted to hear what he had to say. Yet another part of her wanted to run away and hide.

She couldn’t do this again. She wouldn’t put her heart on the line for him to tromp all over it. Thanks to him, she’d done an excellent job of guarding herself against that. She hadn’t lacked for male company when she’d wanted it, but she didn’t need it. At least, that’s what she’d told herself.

While she was happy for her sister, Stacy, and their friend Kelsey, who’d recently found love, she wasn’t interested in going down that path—especially not with him.

The best thing she could do was avoid him. No more massaging shampoo into his lustrous hair, eating lunch together, or falling for his chocolatey bribes. She was stronger than that. She could do this. She could live without him, just like she’d done for the past twelve years…