Page 52 of Second Time Around

Fifteen

After Beck left, Jenna joined Stacy and Kelsey in the kitchen and found them oohing and aahing over the food Beck had brought.

Stacy snapped her head up. “How come you didn’t tell me that Beck was coming over?”

Jenna frowned, something she’d been doing way too much of these days. “I didn’t realize I had to clear it with you first.”

“Never mind that. Why didn’t either of you mention how hot he is?” Kelsey implored.

Jenna ignored her as she pulled out a plain white dish and started transferring the desserts onto it.

“He still looks as good as when he was a teenager,” Stacy added.

Jenna didn’t need the reminder, especially since it was the exact sentiment that had gotten her into trouble earlier. “He has a few gray hairs now,” she said, grasping for something to curb their enthusiasm.

“Did you cut his hair?” Stacy asked.

“Yes, but it was no big deal.”

“Um-hmm. He could have gone to a million different salons around here, but he chose yours.”

Kelsey laughed. “She is really good at what she does.”

“Beck knows all about that, doesn’t he, Jen?” Stacy teased.

“Did you bring the wine?” Jenna asked, dead set on ignoring them.

“Yep. It’s in the fridge,” Kelsey said.

“Good. The rest of the group should be here any minute.” Thank God. She couldn’t take much more of this interrogation, but Stacy obviously wasn’t giving up.

“I think it’s so sweet that he still holds a candle for you after all these years.”

“Very romantic,” Kelsey said, nodding in agreement.

“We’ve been reading way too many romance novels,” Jenna huffed. “It’s messing with our heads.”

“Someone joked about that at our last meeting. Oh, wait. Maybe it was me,” Kelsey said.

“And look at us now,” Stacy said. “Even though it took a while, we both found our dream guys. The same thing can happen for you, Jen.”

“Twelve years later? I don’t think so,” Jenna said.

“It happens,” insisted Stacy.

“Yes, it does—in our romance novels!”

The doorbell rang, and Jenna heaved a sigh of relief. “I’ll get it,” she said and hurried out of the kitchen.

She opened the door and greeted their friend Paige and her mom, Karen. “Welcome. Come on in.”

“Is there wine? Please tell me there’s wine,” Karen said.

“Mom, relax!” Paige said.

“What’s wrong?” Jenna asked. Karen, the oldest member of the book club, was usually the calm one, but not tonight.

“I have a date,” Karen said, clutching her chest and raising her brows.