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If I told her about Ava, she’d probably get on the next flight from Puerto Rico, just to play matchmaker. Maybe that was what I was secretly searching for—permission to try. I could hear her in my head now, telling me to run to Ava’s restaurant and tell her that Rory was all wrong for her. That any man in this town who wasn’t me was all wrong for her. Then,Mamiwould encourage me to take Ava in my arms and kiss the sense right out of her.Mamiloved her telenovelas, got all of her romance advice from them. I’d grown up watching them with her, too, so I understood her obsession completely.
She always ended our calls by reminding me that what had happened wasn’t my fault. I wished I could believe her. I wanted to—I really did—but some part of me refused to let myself off the hook that easily. I’d hurt far too many people.
Mamiwould tell me that a man without love in his life was like a day without sun. She would remind me how much I’d always loved the sun, claimed I couldn’t live without it as a kid. Then, she’d tell me how much she loved me, and I would tell her she didn’t need to worry about me anymore. She worried anyway. I hated that I was the cause.
Barley hopped off the couch and barked twice, heading for the front door.
“What is it, boy?” I asked as I followed his lead.
Rory.
He was walking in the direction of Ava’s restaurant. To be fair, most of the town was in the same direction, but he looked like a man on a mission. I’d never seen him so cleaned up before. From this view, his hair even looked like it was styled.
I glanced down at Barley and knew I couldn’t stay here, feeling sorry for myself anymore. I was either going to sit in Ava’s place and watch Rory ask her out in front of everyone or I was going to do it myself before he ever got the chance. There wasn’t any time to waste.
Blowing out a breath, I mumbled to myself before heading out the door and stalking down the hill.
If Ava Starling was going to be with anyone in this town, it was going to be me. End of story.
WHEN YOUR PAST WALKS THROUGH THE DOOR
AVA
The restaurant was hopping, almost every seat and table spoken for with the exception of a few empty stools at the bar. I was grateful, but I was also exhausted. Most of the kitchen staff had been with us for years, so I leaned on them more than I thought my dad ever had. But like I’d mentioned before, I was still learning how to manage it all on my own without losing it all in the process.
Glancing around at the cooks, I gave them a nod before taking off my apron and pushing through the swinging double doors. I liked to meander through the small space, checking on guests and chatting with the locals. The food still got cooked to perfection without me standing over the stove every second. I trusted my men in the kitchen to do their respective jobs right; they’d been doing it long before I ever moved back home.
The bell over the front door gave a quick jingle, drawing my attention toward it, and I watched as Rory stepped inside, looking all dressed up.
I rushed over to him, my eyes widening. “You look so nice.”
I grinned, and he gave me a hug.
“Don’t have to sound so surprised about it,” he whispered in my ear, and I nodded in agreement.
It was supposed to be a compliment, but it had sort of come out sounding a little backhanded.
“You’re right. I’m not. It’s just been a while since I’ve seen you without a hat,” I said, trying to recover. “Anyway, are you staying for dinner?” I asked, and he slapped his hands together and rubbed them back and forth.
That was when it hit me—exactly why he was here, looking all put together and dapper. Rory’s plan had begun. I had no idea why I stood there, feeling so shocked in my realization, but that was the emotion that took over my body. Well, that, and a little fear.
We’d only talked about the idea this morning, and now, it was already happening tonight? In front of all these people?
I really hadn’t thought this through.
“You okay?” Rory asked, and I blew him off before leading him toward an empty seat at the bar.
“It’s all we have.”
He grinned. “It’s all I need.”
“But Tony’s not even here.” I leaned toward him, hoping he wouldn’t put me on the spot if our person of interest never showed.
“Yet. He’s not here yet,” he said with confidence as the bartender, Jin, walked over and took his drink order.
“Need anything, boss?” Jin asked.
I made a silly face. He knew I rarely drank and never on the clock.
