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She pressed her lips together.
“That reminds me,” he went on. “We had a big recall of one of our most popular hiking gear and I was in charge of that. But there are branch managers who wouldn’t do as they’re told because they don’t like one of theirs telling them what to do. You know those types?”
She nodded then tuned out when he went on and on about it.
Blake hadn’t been chatty during their joint classes, so she had thought he was cute and mysterious. That had been proven wrong soon after they had reached Fred’s Bar just outside of Wayford. So much for coffee …
At least the place was nice. Facing the room, she skimmed it while he spoke. The music was classic 80’s and 90’s rock, the crowd fit the music’s bill, and the beer was unpretentious. She hoped she wouldn’t stumble across people she knew.
“It hangs in my office. Recall Manager of the Year.” He smiled proudly then downed the remainder of his second beer.
Pity that the lady who she had taken a ride with to class had already left. She would have to take an Uber back to Riviera View, because there was no chance she would let him drive her, even if he hadn’t turned out to be so tiring.
“Retail is not dying,” she caught the tail of another long speech. Was that how she had sounded to Josh and Jordan Delaney? Oh no.
“So, what made you join pottery?” she tried again.
Blake giggled. “To be honest, my mother and sister thought I’d meet women there. You see, the women at work aren’t really my type. Plus, I’m their boss, so …”
Oh God.
“And I met you,” he added.
She managed to hear it, though her eyes were drawn to a couple who had entered through the front door. Her heart flipped when she first noticed the man—no one who had seen Jordan Delaney could mistake him for someone else. He towered above most people as he sailed farther into the room, and there was something about his presence that was so unlike the graphic-tee-wearing guys there, regardless of the fact that his grey button-down shirt, with its sleeves folded and its collar opened, looked effortless yet oh-so-befitting.
Her heart plummeted when she recognized the woman he was with—Avery Miles.
As they took a seat in the next booth, Avery sat with her back to Hope without noticing her. But right before he sat down, facing Avery, Jordan caught Hope staring at him.
She was about to duck her head so he wouldn’t notice her, but surprise at their appearance delayed her reaction.
His lips curled up into a smile of recognition, deepening the two clefts that bracketed his mouth and somewhat broke the harsh edges of his stubbled jaw. His eyes sparkled in that Bradley Cooper way, though they were light brown.
Now she had to smile back, figuring that Avery would become aware of her presence there, too. She wouldn’t have minded if she wasn’t there with someone like Blake, who was still speaking.
Hope swung her eyes back to him. He seemed to be on a new soapbox regarding his manager, who was being a bitch for not letting him do something.
In her peripheral view, she noticed that Avery didn’t turn and was thankful to Jordan for not giving her presence away.
“Have you ever given any of the things you made in class as gifts? I made a set of cake plates for my former in-laws,” she hurriedly said. “They didn’t come out as pretty as I hoped, but still, it’s a nice gift.” She would have loved to talk about something else but couldn’t think of anything they had in common.
“I made two large serving bowls. Maybe I’ll give them to my manager, show her some attention, you know. Took me time to get the right shape, but I think my bowls are ready to be glazed.”
Trying to bottle it in only made it worse, and the chuckle that burst out of Hope’s throat was somewhat loud. The whole situation she found herself in and that last piece … she couldn’t wait to tell Libby and Roni about it. That would be the only silver lining.
Realizing she was loud, her eyes were drawn again to the table ahead, and her gaze met with that of Jordan’s. He was looking at her with a little, lopsided smirk. Thankfully, Avery’s head was craned toward the menu that she was holding, and she still didn’t seem aware of Hope’s presence two tables behind her.
Hope quickly averted her gaze back to Blake.
“Oh, bowls, glazed, ha-ha,” he said stiffly.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh.”
“No, that’s okay. I have a sense of humor, too.” The veins in his forehead and temples were visible all of a sudden.
“That’s good to know.” If she needed more proof to the fact that her taste in men sucked, then this guy, her first date since her divorce, her first date since college, was beyond a reasonable doubt.
“Excuse me,” Blake suddenly called loudly and waved at a passing waitress. “Hey, excuse me. We want more drinks here and the menu.”
