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But it was gone.
“Delaney!”
*
Alex eased intoone of two empty seats at Sweet Mash Diner’s rail, taking in the sights and sounds of a place Mia had spoken fondly of all those years ago. It was a little embarrassing, him remembering something like that. But then, wasn’t that common of people with their first loves?
He’d definitely blown it with her all those years ago, spouting off at the mouth instead of begging her to choose him over that schmuck Greg. If only Alex had been able to control his temper back then, if only he’d known when to listen instead of rant. He’d come so far since those days, his customer-focused career helping shape him into a more patient, kinder soul. He just needed to find a way to show her that. Unfortunately, he wasn’t sure continuing to randomly drop into her family’s bookstore was going to get him there.
He grabbed a menu that’d been wedged between a cluster of nearby condiments and scanned its contents, hoping food would help fuel some ideas.
“Don’t bother,” said a voice from behind him. “It’s Saturday. All the regulars know to get today’s chicken and dumplings special. Homemade, and quite possibly the best you’ll ever have.”
Alex turned to find Mia’s sister easing into the open seat beside him. Had Mia had a change of heart after all? A quick glance past her sister dashed that hope; she was alone.
It figured. Mia would never let him off the hook that easily.
“Thanks for the recommendation.” Alex tucked the menu back into where he’d gotten it from. “So, which one are you—Delaney or Hannah?”
She studied him, smirking. “Good memory for someone who supposedly hated my sister’s guts back in the day. I’m Del. And if you don’t want to upset Mi again, I’d maybe not bring up Hannah Banana in front of her. Sore subject—she hasn’t been around here for a few years.”
“Duly noted. And for the record, I never hated Mia. Though, I’m sure there was a time she probably hated me.”
“Probably.”
Before he could think on that response for long, a middle-aged woman approached from behind the counter with two glasses of ice water in hand.
“Do not make me call and tell Isaac you’re stepping out on him tonight, Delaney,” she said.
Alex raised his hands in surrender. “No, I—”
Del laughed. “Are you kidding? Isaac’s the whole reason I’m here. Somebody’s craving your cobbler again, Gina.”
“Sugar, you’re going to have to watch that man of yours,” Gina said. “He’s going to get soft in the middle if he keeps this up.”
“Don’t worry, I make sure he burns off those extra calories.” Del winked. “Also, my friend here will have the Saturday special.”
“Did not need to know that first part.” Gina walked away, shaking her head.
“Sorry, sometimes the best way to prevent a rambling conversation is to make people blush. But knowing Gina, she won’t be gone long. So, tell me the real reason you stopped by the bookstore tonight.”
Alex took a drink of water to give himself time to craft a suitable answer. As a longtime businessman, he sensed an opportunity waiting in the wings. Now he just had to play his cards slowly and carefully.
“What did she tell you I wanted?”
“To be forgiven for being a jerk back in college.”
He arched a brow in her direction. “Then you already know why I stopped by.”
“Yeah, but that’s too easy of an answer. And too random.” Del studied him for a moment. “I think there’s more to it than that.”
Alex lifted his glass, wishing it held a few ounces of his favorite amber liquor instead of water. He swirled its contents, the ice cubes bobbing in the current. “Is that so?”
“Ugh, you guys are two peas in a pod. You want me to guess? Fine, here goes: I think you had a crush on her years ago. Probably a big one if you stopped by after all this time to up and apologize. I mean, how could you not have liked her—she was pretty and intelligent and had the world’s biggest heart. In fact, she still does.”
Alex remained silent, allowing Delaney to spin their tale her way. It wasn’t exact, but close enough to the truth that he wouldn’t deny it. Nor was he yet certain that he would admit to it, either.
“But then you found out she was already going steady with jack wagon, and it pissed you off. So you said some things you shouldn’t have, and she stormed off without another look back.”
