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It'sbeenafewdays since the July 4th festival and I'm back over at Evan’s house helping him fix a classic Chevy Impala that he just bought. We're going over it and making a list of everything that needs to be done and parts that he needs to get, which to be honest, is a lot.
I think this car is more of something to keep him busy in his retirement. Not that he's retired too much, from what Janet says.
"Sorry for bailing on you at the festival. But I wanted to thank you for keeping an eye on Jenna when we weren't there," he says.
When guilt starts to churn in my belly, I shake my head, trying to dispel the feeling. "No worries, man. Jenna's fun to be around and I had a blast hanging out with her and watching the fireworks."
At the mention of fireworks, the images of our make-out session on the dock fill my head. Those images are never far from my thoughts and right now is the worst possible time to think about them. Getting hard while I'm talking to my best friend about his daughter is not cool.
Evans nods at my words, and his weathered face creases into a smile. "Glad to hear it. That girl's the light of my life."
I smile back, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. Evan may be a hard man to those who don't know him, but there's a softness in his heart that he reserves for his family. Right now, he considers me family, but if he ever found out about what happened on that dock, I'd be dead to him. Maybe even physically dead, too.
"How is Jenna doing, really? She's been spending a lot of time over at Sky's place, so I haven't been able to talk to her too much," he says.
This is the first I'm hearing about her being over at Sky's place. I guess I always assumed she was home if she wasn't working, which is crazy. Of course, she has friends and a social life. She's twenty-three, why wouldn't she being going out and having fun? But the thought of her going out with another guy doesn't sit well with me either.
"Well, when I was with her the other day, she seemed to be doing well. She still likes her time at the diner, but from the way she talks, I think she just likes the social aspect of talking to everyone while she’s there.”
Evans nods slowly, his eyes studying me closely. "That's good to hear. I just want her to be happy, you know? These last few days she has been really cheerful like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders. Whatever you said to her really seemed to help."
I nod, feeling a heaviness settle in my stomach. How am I supposed to tell him I'm the one making his daughter happy? That we've been seeing each other behind his back and that I can't get enough of her? The answer is I can't. Plain and simple. So I go for a version of the truth.
"We talked about her book like you asked. She is stuck on the ending of it, how to bring it to a conclusion. I suggested she put it away for a few weeks or so and enjoy the summer, then go back to it and see what comes up."
"That's a good idea. She needs to get out more, anyway. I hate to say it with her being my daughter, but she needs to date. She hasn't been out with a guy since she got home from college and broke up with that college boyfriend of hers. I want her to find a good man, someone who will support her dream of writing even if she isn't making money at it. But she can't do that if she doesn't get out of the house," he says.
My heart sinks at the mention of Jenna seeing someone. Just the thought of her being with another guy makes me feel sick to my stomach. But I couldn't let Evans know that, so I put on my best poker face. "Well, maybe she just hasn't found the right guy yet. I'm sure she will eventually. Let's be honest, she probably won't tell you she is even dating anyone until it's more serious." I force a smile, hoping it looks genuine.
Evans chuckles. "Yeah, you're probably right about that. Girls can be pretty secretive about those things. At least to their parents."
As we continue to work on the car, my mind keeps drifting back to Jenna. I know it's wrong, but I can't help the way I feel. She's smart, funny, beautiful, and I enjoy every minute I get to spend with her. But then the reality sets in - she's my best friend's daughter, and it's wrong to feel this way about her.
Trying to push these thoughts aside, I focus on the task at hand. Evans is telling me about his plans to take his wife on a cruise for their anniversary. As he talks about her, I can see the love shining in his eyes. In spite of myself, I can't stop the pang of envy for what they have. It's been years since I've been in any kind of relationship and seeing how happy they are only makes the loneliness sting that much more.
When we finally finish up working on the car, Evan claps me on the back, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Thanks for your help with the car, Josh. I'll let you get back to your day."
Nodding my head, I try to appear nonchalant as I say my goodbyes. But as I walk away, my thoughts drift back to Jenna. The memory of the last time we were together sends a wave of desire crashing through my body. It's like an addiction, one that I can't shake off. Nor do I want to.
It's past noon and I haven't eaten since breakfast, so without a second thought I decide to stop and grab lunch at the diner. It has everything to do with my rumbling stomach and nothing to do with the chance of seeing Jenna while she is working.
It's past the normal lunch rush, so I’m able to snag a parking spot in the front of the diner. When I walk in, Jenna is cleaning off a table by the door.
"Josh, good to see you," she says with a smile.
"Hey Jenna. Just got done helping your dad with that car he recently purchased and realized I hadn't had lunch." I say lamely, like I need an excuse to be here.
"Mom didn't feed you?" She asks me as she walks the pile of dishes toward the counter and sets them down. Then, grabbing a towel and spray, she comes back to the table to clean it.
"She wasn't there. Evan said she was out at some fundraiser for the library. At least that’s what I think I heard."
"Well, grab a table anywhere." She says as she finishes wiping the table down.
"What section is yours?"
Pointing, she says, "Right side over there." Then she grabs the dishes from the counter and takes them to the back.
I pick up a menu and sit at a table in the corner, giving me a view of the diner, and to be honest, a view of wherever she ends up.
