Page 76 of Call It Serendipity

I’m tempted to tell him that he was right after all, that I’m starting to believe in it all too. But I’m saved by the appearance of our server.

“Have you had a chance to look at our menu?” he asks, his eyes dropping to where they sit closed before us.

“I’m guessing you don’t even need to use the menu?” Jake looks at me with a grin.

“I don’t.” My mouth waters at the thought of Tuscan chicken pasta.

He releases my hand to open the leather menu cover. “What do you recommend?”

“Might I make a recommendation, Mr. Carpenter?”

My body tenses at the deep, booming voice announcing Jake’s name. Looking up, I find Trustee Garrison standing beside our server.

“I’ll give you a moment,” he mumbles, tucking his order pad in his waist apron and slipping away.

Garrison leans his elbow on the top of my booth, turned towards Jake. “I won’t take up too much of your time. But I saw you come in and that happens to save me a call tomorrow morning.”

There’s only one reason the village trustees would be calling him, I suspect. They’ve made a decision on the property. My shoulders slump as reality forces its way into our date night.

“How can I help you?” Jake asks, appearing significantly calmer than I’m feeling.

“There have been some developments related to the Monroe Street property. We’re holding a board meeting in two days.”

“Two days?” I echo. This could all be ruined in just two days’ time?

Beneath the table, Jake’s knee finds mine and presses against me reassuringly. “Yes, ma’am,” Garrison replies. Then looking to my date again, he adds, “Six o’clock sharp. Can we expect you to be present?”

“Yeah”—he nods—“I’ll be there.”

“Good, then I’ll let you get back to it.” The trustee flashes me a smile and pats the top of the booth. “Oh, and as for that recommendation, get the lobster ravioli. It won’t disappoint.”

As if on cue, our server returns and takes down our orders. Jake waits for me to confirm that the lobster ravioli is in fact worth trying then proceeds to add an appetizer and bottle of wine. He still seems perfectly relaxed, like that little issue we set to the side hasn’t pushed its way back to front and center.

The moment we’re alone again, I ask, “What does this mean?” The question falls from my lips abruptly, with zero grace. The words tumbling out like they can’t wait another second.

He sighs, reaching for my hand once again. “I don’t know yet. But I want to make this okay. You’ve become so important to me. More than you know.”

“You’ve become important to me too,” I whisper.

There’s a glint in his brown eyes as they assess me. “Then let’s enjoy our date, maybe take a little something back to Charlie and Bear, and trust me that no matter what they say in that meeting, it will be okay.”

“It will be?”

“Lucy, I figured out a while ago that hurting this town would mean hurting you. And I have no intention of hurting you.”

My heart buoys with hope. “You never did want to be the bad guy in my story.”

“I want to be the one that makes you believe.”

“In serendipity?” I tease.

“Or something like that,” he recalls with a grin.

I’m tempted to tell him that he’s already done just that. But in truth, this story isn’t over yet.

43

“Jake doesn’t know what this meeting is about either?” Claire asks, leaning in close to make sure no one else overhears her question.