Page 31 of Second Chances

“Really? Now I’m intrigued.”

“And my cream cheese brownies,” she peered at him over the top of her coffee cup, “will make you believe in miracles.”

“I believe you. You seem like someone who creates all kinds of magic.” With anyone else, his statement would’ve sounded like a line, but Henry delivered it with a sincerity she trusted.

Someone cleared their plates at some point, and their conversation ventured into areas of personal interest: what books each of them was reading (the latest in Linda Castillo’s mystery series for her, and The Count of Monte Cristo for him), what their recent binge watches were (Charlotte was watching The Wire, Henry Dexter), when suddenly, Henry pulled his ringing phone out of his pocket.

“Oh, wow,” he said, “it’s the shop. I can’t believe I’ve been gone for two hours. I’m never out for this long during the day,” he muttered, grabbing his hat from his knee as he stood. Charlotte’s recently refilled water glass tipped over as the table rocked, spilling onto the sleeve of her coat.

“Oh, Charlotte, I’m so sorry,” he said softly, his flushed cheeks making him infinitely more attractive.

“Make it up to me.” Rising from her chair, she was close enough that she had to tip her head back to look up at him, and his breath grazed her forehead. “Let’s have dinner tonight.”

“Tonight?” Her stomach cramped, and she dreaded he would refuse. Slowly, he dragged a hand through his hair before putting his hat on. “I’d love to.” His beautiful eyes never wavered from hers. “How does eight o’clock sound?”

“It sounds perfect.” After he smiled and started toward the door, she restrained herself from jumping up and down.

He turned back to look at her before leaving. “I’ll see you tonight,” Henry called to her.

“Date with Henry, huh?” Wiping down her table was Colt, her favorite barista. They had a piercing decorating each ear, nostril, and eyebrow, but what made them stand out the most was an effervescent sense of humor. “Girl, you are going to make half the women in this town jealous!”

“That’s one hell of a lunch break, my friend! Thought I was going to have to get Adam involved in a search,” Juan joked after Henry returned to the shop. “Got scared maybe you left town. Decided to have lunch in Sioux Falls.”

“Don’t you have work to do? Didn’t John Lefferts bring his ancient Tahoe in for an oil change?” Deflection was the wisest course of action, Henry figured, not ready to share the latest development in his life.

“Don’t worry about the Tahoe. Already taken care of, and John is on his way to pick it up.” Juan poured a cup of coffee he must have brewed while Henry was having lunch with Charlotte, then rooted around in the refrigerator for cream. After pouring an amount large enough to cause concern from any medical professional, Juan shot him a sly grin. “It’s amazing what we can accomplish in two hours.” Juan brought his cup to his mouth. “Same could be said for you, I suppose.” Henry remained silent, turning his back to his friend to pour his own cup of coffee. “Damn, this new blend is outstanding…is that coconut I’m getting…and maybe cherry?”

“I’m going for a Twin Bing kind of flavor, without the peanuts.”

“Mmm, good work, my friend, good work.” Juan sank into a chair before putting his feet on the edge of Henry’s desk. “So tell me about the lovely Charlotte.”

Blanching, Henry chose ignorance. “I don’t know what you mean. And get your filthy feet off my desk!”

His friend ignored him. “Don’t play dumb with me. Aside from that son of yours, you’re the smartest man I know. You could learn a few things from him about starting a relationship. I mean, Josh was dating Effie before the ink was dry on her divorce papers, if memory serves. Meanwhile, you’ve taken almost two damn years to ask that woman out on a date.” Henry flushed, and Juan’s boots hit the ground. “What the hell? Henry, did you finally ask her out?”

A knock drew the attention of both men. Liam smiled from the office doorway, but Henry could tell the smile didn’t reach his nephew’s eyes. “Am I interrupting a meeting of the minds in here?”

“Just trying to get some details out of your uncle about the long lunch he just had with a certain high school English teacher.”

“Uncle Henry, what?”

“And whether he asked her out for a date. He won’t say, but-”

“Are you going on a date with Charlotte?” Liam took a seat on the edge of Henry’s desk. “Spill.”

With a sigh, he admitted, “Yes, I have plans with Charlotte tonight.” Maybe the two of them would leave him in peace now.

“I must admit, I’m impressed. You finally took a chance!” Juan patted him on the shoulder.

Henry rubbed the back of his neck. “No, I’m still a coward. She asked me out.”

Liam whistled. “Wow, good for her! The Livingston charm remains alive in some of us, I guess.” Nobody responded, and an awkward pause cloaked the office.

Juan looked at his watch. “Well, John should be here for his truck soon, so I’ll leave you two to talk.”

“What’s going on, Liam?” Only six months older than Josh, the cousins had grown up more like brothers, in each other’s shadows their entire lives.

Head in his hands, Liam groaned. “It’s Lana.” Liam’s mystery woman, the one he’d met by chance at a bar in New York City. Not so much by chance after all, it turned out, since they’d both been there to meet Josh, a fact unknown to either of them until last year, when their connection had been revealed. After discovering that Liam was the cousin of her former co-worker, Josh, Lana severed ties between them. His nephew, the former king of casual relationships, hadn’t let her go so easily, though, and had sent her multiple texts daily. His relentless pursuit had almost worked. Until a fateful night last summer, on a beach in the Hamptons, when she had crushed his spirit, finally. Henry didn’t know any details, but his nephew’s easy-going attitude had darkened severely since then.