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Still, he didn’t want to come off as being weird, so when Jamie turned to him, he chose something different. “I’m gonna go with the bacon cheeseburger on steroids, and make the bacon extra crispy.”
“Ooh…mine too!” Savannah said.
“You got it!” Jamie said before walking away.
“If I didn’t get the jalapeño burger, I was going with the bacon cheeseburger too,” she told him. “My goal for tonight was to have a completely reckless and irresponsible meal.”
He laughed out loud. “Reckless and irresponsible? That’s something I haven’t heard before regarding a meal. What’s the occasion?”
She hesitated a moment before reaching for another potato skin. “I got offered a job today and…” Pausing, she looked a little uncertain about saying more, but then did. “And my divorce is final.” Looking up at him, she smiled. “And believe me, that one definitely deserves to be celebrated.”
It would be wrong to say she looked too young to be divorced, but that was his first thought.
And it also answered his question if she was single or not without him needing to find a way to ask it.
Picking up his glass, he offered a toast. “Well then, here’s to you being kind of a big deal today!”
Her smile became even more radiant as she lifted her wineglass. “Thank you. Cheers!” They tapped glasses and each took a sip of their drinks.
After that, Jackson felt like he wanted to know everything he could about her, but was afraid of coming on too strong. After all, his life was sort of in limbo right now. Did he want to actively pursue someone, or should he just sit back and simply enjoy a meal with a beautiful woman?
For tonight, he was going to enjoy a meal with a beautiful woman.
And then maybe pursue her.
Feeling better about where his head was at, he leaned back and relaxed. “So, it sounds like you had an awesome day. What made you come to the pub for a burger instead of maybe going out with friends for champagne?”
“Mmm…you ask a good question,” she said lightly. “Basically, it’s been a long time since I’ve gone out and indulged in some really good junk food.” With a small laugh, she went on. “Not that I consider any of this junk, but I was looking forward to going someplace casual and eating without judgement.” Tilting her head, she grinned. “You’re not going to judge me for this, are you, Jack?”
“Sweetheart, this is a judgment free zone,” he said easily. “And I think it’s awesome that you’re comfortable in knowing what you want and going after it!” He raised his glass again in a salute to her. “Please tell me there’s going to be dessert too.”
“Oh, definitely. I think I saw some sort of peanut butter brownie sundae that has my name all over it!”
The thought of the peanut butter bar from Henderson's came to mind. Leaning forward, he rested his arms on the table. “You ever eaten anything from Henderson's Bakery?”
She shook her head. “Nope. Why? Is it good?”
“The best damn cakes and cookies and anything sweet in the world,” he stated.
“The world? Hmm…that’s a pretty bold statement.”
“I’m a pretty bold guy,” he said confidently, winking at her before taking another pull of his beer.
Savannah studied him for a moment. “Tell me your favorite thing to get from this bakery.”
“Nuh-uh. Too difficult. Everything Mrs. H makes is my favorite.”
“I find that a little hard to believe. Even the best restaurants have an item or two that people aren’t overly fond of.”
“That is not the case with Henderson’s. Every item there is like its own sweet, sugary bliss.”
It occurred to him that maybe he should stop talking about this particular subject because he’d finished everything in the box the Donovans had left for him and there was no way he could walk into Henderson's without the whole town knowing he was back.
Dammit.
“Why don’t you tell me your favorite dessert?” he asked.
“I am all about good sundae. My favorite one would have to be cookies and cream. Lots of hot fudge and lots of cookies.” She sighed happily. “But in a pinch, the brownie sundae will do.”
