Page 82 of Second Time Around

He chuckled. “So, you’re a fan of desserts, just like Jenna.”

“Oh yeah. It’s my favorite meal of the day.”

He laughed again, enjoying Kelsey’s easygoing, playful manner. He remembered when Jenna used to be like that too. He’d seen peeks of the old Jenna last night when she’d let down her guard, and he wanted to see more of that side of her.

The waitress returned and set down the information packet. “Anything else?”

“That’ll do it. Thanks, Mandy.”

“You’re welcome,” she said and went off again.

“Your staff seems so friendly,” Kelsey commented.

“I’m glad you think so. Happy employees mean happy customers, as cheesy as that sounds.”

Kelsey laughed. “It’s not cheesy.” Her attention shifted to a waitress walking past with a tray of sandwiches. “Speaking of cheese, was that a grilled cheese sandwich I saw?”

He smiled. “Yes. It’s one of our best sellers.”

“Maybe I’ll order one to go.”

“Great. My treat.”

“Oh, no, you don’t have to do that.”

“I want to. Consider it a thank you for asking me to cater the engagement party.”

“How sweet of you.”

He flagged Mandy down and asked her for a grilled cheese to go. While it was being prepared, he discussed some of his ideas for the party. “We could do an assorted sandwich tray with half-sandwiches instead of the smaller ones you had at the book club. We can also provide soup, salad, and a veggie tray.”

Kelsey listened intently and asked a few questions about delivery and set-up. Soon Mandy brought out her to-go order, and Kelsey stood. “Thank you so much for your time. I’ll go over this with Stacy and Jenna and let you know what we decide.”

“I’d be happy to meet with all three of you to nail down the menu. We could even meet here for lunch.” Then he felt guilty for pushing his own agenda. It wasn’t about gaining their business so much as an opportunity to spend more time with Jenna. Although, given the way she’d left, she might not welcome the idea.

He walked Kelsey to the door, where they said their goodbyes.

After she left, he went back into his office and reopened the spreadsheet he’d been working on. However, the numbers all blurred together, and he couldn’t concentrate. All he could think about was Jenna and last night and what it meant for them going forward.

He wanted to believe things would be different now that he’d told her everything about prom night. She’d seemed to believe him, and then they’d made love multiple times, although she’d insisted on referring to it as having sex. She must have felt the difference, though, right? He certainly had.

When he’d held her afterward, she’d seemed content, and he’d foolishly expected her to be there this morning. He’d looked forward to pulling her into his arms, making love to her again, and then making them breakfast. Instead, he’d woken up alone, with the only evidence she’d been there her hastily written note.

Maybe it was wrong of him to expect her feelings to be as strong as his, but he’d sworn he’d seen it in her eyes and felt it in her touch. It had been different than the night in her kitchen when they’d practically attacked each other, her anger bubbling just below the surface. Last night, their coupling had been tender, meaningful, and loving. At least, that was how he’d interpreted it.

He should have known it wouldn’t have been that easy. When he’d woken up and seen the empty space beside him, he’d realized he still had a lot of work to do. As good as the sex had been, she wasn’t ready to welcome him back into her life. Not fully, the way he wanted her to.

Kelsey’s unexpected appearance at his restaurant today had given him a burst of hope. The more opportunities he had to prove himself to Jenna, her friends, and family, the better. Jenna might not have intended to invite him to her sister’s engagement party, but now he had the perfect excuse to be there.

Typically, he didn’t handle every catering job personally, but this time, he would. He wanted to ensure that everything went perfectly for Stacy and her fiancé. Not to mention, it would give him a chance to reunite with Jenna’s family. The only way it would be better was if she’d invite him herself. Since he doubted that would happen, catering the party was the next best thing.

She might not be happy about it at first, but hopefully, she’d come around—or not!