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Hope leaned forward, lowering her voice as if she was trying to soothe a fourth-grader who was about to cry. “Um … I think you need to—”
“No. They serve to the table if you order food,” he cut her off sharply. “Hey, are you avoiding me on purpose?” he called toward another staff member.
People were turning their heads to look at them.
“One menu is still here,” Hope hurriedly said, pushing it toward him and dying inside from embarrassment. Her joke and laughter hadn’t flown with him, apparently. And, of course, this had to happen when Jordan Delaney was there to enjoy the spectacle.
“At least something good came out of their poor service, leaving the menu here,” Blake began a new rant.
She put her phone in her bag and prepared an excuse to leave, knowing she would quit the pottery class, too. It wasn’t that great, anyway.
From the corner of her eye, she noticed movement, then a whiff of aftershave and soap reached her just as a shadow fell over their table. Hope raised her eyes, and her breath nearly caught.
“Hi, Hope. Great meeting you here. How are you?”
Jordan Delaney, with that breathtaking intense gaze.
“Hi.” She forced a smile, swallowing.
Blake stopped speaking and looked up.
Jordan turned to him. “Jordan Delaney. A pleasure to meet you,” he said with a hint of a question at the end of his sentence and stretched his arm, almost forcing Blake to shake his hand.
She could see that Jordan squeezed his palm hard.
Blake tore his eyes from Jordan and looked at her. She wondered if he, too, noticed the strong abs and arms that delineated under Jordan’s grey shirt and took it as a warning, along with the strong handshake.
“Jordan, this is Blake Burnes,” she mumbled.
“Why don’t you two join us?” Jordan smiled at her. It was a soft smile, the kind she gave students when she wanted to assist them before they even noticed they needed help. “You know Avery, right?” He slightly pivoted toward his table, and she noticed Avery now looking at them. Their eyes met, and Avery gave her a quick smile.
Oh, the humiliation. “Thanks. We’re good.” It wasn’t good, far from it, but the last thing she wanted was this.
“Okay. If you change your mind, we’ll be right there,” he stressed. “And we can give you a ride back to Riviera View.”
“Thanks, but there’s no need.” Thank God for Uber.
Jordan nodded and returned to his place, sending a glare in Blake’s direction before he sat down. Avery spun back, and Hope averted her eyes as soon as she saw Avery whispering to Jordan. She could just imagine what those two had to say about her.
“Who’s that?” Blake asked.
“Listen, Blake, I need to get back. My babysitter has to go soon. Thanks for the cider.” She got up. Her daughters were with their grandmother, but this was as good excuse as any.
“I’ll drive you. I can get something to eat in Riviera View.”
“No, that’s okay. I’ll take an Uber.” She took a step farther from the table.
“But—”
“I don’t think I’m ready to date yet. See you around.” Not really.
She turned and left before he could say another word.
Passing by Jordan and Avery’s table, she threw a quick gaze and a half-smile at both, then hurried out, hoping the clay stains on her clothes weren’t too prominent.
As soon as they were behind her, she closed her eyes under the weight of mortification at the fact that there were witnesses to yet another man-related catastrophe of hers.
Taking a deep breath outside, Hope opened the Uber app.
