Chapter 16
SIXTEEN
Battery Spencer was the best place to see the sunset as far as Jenna was concerned.
She guided the car to a parking spot and they both got out.
Cormac leaned on the hood of the car while Jenna leaned back into him and waited for what turned out to be a kaleidoscope of colors—pink, orange, gold, purple.
It was magnificent and it was even better watching it from the shelter of Cormac’s strong arms. Jenna was beginning to realize that their relationship was going to be very short lived.
If she wanted it to continue, she was going to have to broach the subject of him staying.
She’d do it tonight and hope she could convince him.
Cormac dipped his head and nuzzled her ear. “That was almost as beautiful as ye, Jenna.”
Jenna leaned into the nuzzle. “That’s sweet of you to say.”
“I wouldnae say it, if it werenae true.”
Jenna spun in his arms and wrapped hers around his neck.
“You are quite the romantic, Cormac MacBayne.” Standing on tiptoe, she rubbed her nose on his and scooted a little closer into his strong embrace.
There was a fluttering in her belly as she thought of the previous night spent wrapped around each other.
Cormac’s eyes twinkled as he looked into her eyes. “Where have ye gone to, love?”
“Nowhere, really,” she lied. “I was just thinking that we should go get dinner.”
“Dinner, aye?”
“Yes, dinner. You haven’t eaten since our late breakfast. You must be hungry.”
He seemed to think about that for a moment. “Aye, that I am.”
“Well, let’s go then.” Jenna pulled out of his embrace and felt a chill at the loss of his heat.
Cormac put his hand to the small of her back and gently guided her toward the driver’s door, which he opened before she could protest. She got in and got herself situated and Cormac closed the door and trotted around to the passenger side.
Jenna watched as he easily folded himself into the compact space beside her and gave her the most breathtaking smile.
She was so enthralled by him that she literally forgot to breathe for a minute.
Getting herself under control once again, she started the car and headed off in the direction of Sausalito and her favorite waterfront restaurant.
“Hi Casey,” Jenna greeted the girl who was waiting for them just inside the doorway.
“Do you have a table for us?”
“Of course, right this way. How’ve you been? I haven’t seen you in a while.” Casey said as she led them to the outdoor patio and a table that overlooked the San Francisco Bay. “Are you doing okay since the annulment?”
“I’m fine. I’m getting on with my life. I’m finally free of the anchor that would have been holding me down. I was lucky to get out when I did.”
Cormac pulled Jenna’s chair out for her and as she sat, Casey gave them both menus. “I know I probably don’t have to ask you what you want, Jenna. The usual?”
“That would be great, Casey. What about you, Cormac? I’m having the seafood pasta. It’s to die for, right Casey.”
“It is the house specialty,” Casey happily agreed.
“Then that’s what I’ll have,” Cormac said.
“Drinks while you wait?” Casey asked.
“I’d like a Sunset Margharita, no salt, please,” Jenna said. She looked at Cormac, who was looking a bit bemused by the drink menu. “He’ll have the same. And can we get an order of fried calamari, too?”
“Sure. I’ll put your order in and be right back with your drinks.” Casey said as she started back inside.
“I love this place. I’ve been coming here since I was a little kid.
My best friend, Ashley’s parents used to bring all of us, including Dylan, for a special treat.
” Jenna wistfully looked at Cormac who had a very strange expression on his face.
He cleared his throat and took a huge gulp of water, avoiding Jenna’s gaze. “Is everything alright?” she asked.
“Aye. All is well, lass. Dinna fash.”
“It’s just that you had a really strange expression on your face. Was it something I said?”
“Nae. I just had a tickle in me throat. ‘Tis all.”
At that moment, Casey came back with their drinks. “Here you go. Enjoy.”
“Thanks, Casey.” Jenna smiled at the hostess who was also serving as their waitress.
“Thank ye, lass,” Cormac offered as Casey placed his drink down in front of him.
“You’re welcome.” Casey turned and looked at Jenna mouthing the words, “He’s hot!”
Jenna laughed and Cormac gave her a questioning look as Casey walked away.
“She thinks you’re hot,” Jenna said.
“Nae. I’m fine, lass. The weather is perfect.”
Jenna laughed again. “Not that kind of hot. She thinks you’re very handsome.”
“Hot means handsome?” Cormac questioned.
“Yes, except when it means hot,” Jenna was having fun messing with him, and he was preening like a peacock at this news.
Jenna raised her glass in a toast. “To your hotness,” she giggled. They clinked glasses and took a sip of their drinks.
“What’s in this drink, love?” he asked.
“Tequila, triple sec, lime juice and the sunset part is provided by grenadine.”
“I’ve not had any of it before. ‘Tis verra good.”
“Actually, you have. You tasted mine at the karaoke bar, remember? It didn’t have the grenadine though.”
Their calamari arrived and Cormac examined it quite carefully. “What is this calamari?” he asked.
“It’s squid. A little tiny octopus.” Jenna answered. Cormac still looked puzzled. “Never had it before, huh?”
“Nae, I havenae.” He looked very unsure as he picked one up with his fingers.
“Here, dip it in the sauce.” Jenna showed him what she meant as she popped one in her mouth. “I like the tentacles the best,” she smiled.
“Tentacles?” Cormac asked as he indulged in his first calamari.
“The little squiggly things,” she picked one up and showed it to him. “What do you think? Do you love them?”
“Aye. They are verra good. The cook at Breaghacraig has never made anything like this.”
“You’ve been missing out,” Jenna teased. Cormac continued devouring the calamari, much to Jenna’s delight. She was happy to share some new experiences with him and even happier that he was enjoying it.
Their main course arrived and plates were set in front them along with a basket of freshly baked bread for the table.
Jenna once again observed Cormac looking totally confused by the food.
He looked up at her and said, “I recognize the seafood, but what is this?” He picked up a strand of pasta to show her.
“It’s pasta. Your cook doesn’t make this either, does she?
Don’t bother to answer. I get it. This is all new to you.
Let me show you how to eat it.” Jenna took her fork and spoon and showed Cormac how to twirl the pasta onto the fork.
He gave it a try and failed miserably. “Keep trying. You’ll get the hang of it,” she giggled.
Determination was written all over Cormac’s face as he went to work mastering the pasta twirl.
After a few tries he was finally getting the pasta from his plate to his mouth without dropping it and he looked to be enjoying it very much.
As she ate, Jenna kept checking on Cormac to see if he needed any help, but based on how quickly the food disappeared from his plate, she didn’t think he did.
She offered him the rest of hers and he gladly accepted. It vanished in a heartbeat.
Jenna paid the check and said goodbye to Casey. “Thanks, Casey. Everything was great.”
“Hope to see you in here again soon,” Casey replied as Jenna and Cormac made their way out the door.
“Let’s walk around a little and then stop for some ice cream or candy, or both,” Jenna smiled.
She took Cormac’s arm and snuggled up close to him as they walked along the waterfront towards the more touristy shopping area.
“It’s pretty busy tonight,” Jenna observed.
Cormac didn’t seem to hear her as he was looking around at everything.
“Cormac, what would you think about staying here with me?” she cautiously asked.
“Jenna, I cannae stay. I want to be with ye, but I dinna belong here. I must return home to my family. I am needed there.” He wore the saddest expression on his face.
She understood that he was speaking from the heart.
He wanted to stay, but he simply couldn’t.
Disappointment and heartbreak washed over her like the waves at Mavericks.
“I’m sorry, Jenna. I believe I have fallen in love with ye in this short time I’ve been given to spend here.
Edna was right. Ye are the one for me and I will spend the rest of me days regretting the loss of what could have been.
I have asked you to come back with me, but ye willnae. ”
Jenna wanted to cry hearing that he had fallen in love with her.
Life was full of cruel surprises. Cormac arrived in her life in a less than conventional way and he had grown on her.
At first she was snarky and rude to him, but he never let that stop him from wanting to be with her.
Now, she was going to have to say goodbye to him, just when she was understanding that she loved him too.
Could she just pick up and leave? No, of course not.
What did she really know about him? When she thought about it, not much more than he presented to her.
She couldn’t go. She had to know him better, be sure she wasn’t going to regret it like she had with Jonathan.
“Jenna, look at me.” Cormac held her face in his hands.
“Cormac, I don’t trust myself to make good choices when it comes to men.
Past experience has shown me that I’m pretty bad at it.
I know everything seems perfect right in this moment, but what about a week from now, or a year from now.
I just can’t do it.” She felt tears pricking at her lashes and brushed them away before Cormac could see.
“Have faith, love. All will be as it should be.”