Chapter 14
Coffee at AmaRin was one of the things Jenna had missed most about living off island. The shop, famous for its rich java and
flaky pastries, had run out of the latter by the time she and Sofia met up at four o’clock on Monday. A shame, since their
chocolate croissant was the stuff of legends.
After greeting each other, Sofia and Jenna settled into one of the back wooden booths. The place was almost quiet compared
to the busy mornings at the shop, and Jenna was eager for some uninterrupted girl time.
She took the first sip of her caramel macchiato and felt her world tip upright. “Ah . . . all is right with the world again.”
Sofia arched a brow, her brown eyes sparkling. “Should I leave you two alone?”
Jenna cradled her white mug. “You might feel the same about yours if it had a little flavoring.”
“I’ll take mine strong and cold, thank you very much. You know it’s ninety degrees outside, right?”
Sofia had always teased her about drinking hot coffee year-round. “Coffee should not be served cold. I’ll go to the grave
defending that opinion.”
“Except for coffee ice cream?”
“That’s a food, not a drink.”
Sofia held up her cold brew. “Well, here’s to caffeine, in whatever form.”
Jenna tapped her glass. “Hear, hear.” Then she took another sip. “How’s the practice going?” Sofia was a clinical psychologist
who counseled online, which gave her a flexible schedule.
“It’s been very busy. I hired an assistant to help with scheduling and she’s a dream. Sara Blevins. Do you know her?”
“I don’t think so.”
“She’s new to the island. Single mom, super nice with two cute kiddos.”
“I’m glad she’s working out well for you. And how’s Jack doing? You two still seem like quite the lovebirds.” Sofia posted
regularly on Instagram.
“When it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. Not that there’s no work involved, of course. But he’s a good man.” Sofia offered
a coy smile. “I guess I’ll keep him.”
Jenna sighed. “You’re so blessed to have found each other so early in life. You saved yourself a lot of dating nightmares.
Single life is for the birds.”
“I’m sorry things didn’t work out with Jason. How are you doing with that?”
“I’ve been trying to process it all.” She caught her friend up on some of the thoughts she’d shared with Ty yesterday, omitting
the part where she was questioning her own capacity for love.
“When you turned down his proposal you trusted your instincts. And it sounds as if he didn’t respond very well.”
“Because he fired me on the spot?” Jenna joked.
“And left you standing on the sidewalk, the jerk. You know, sometimes it just takes a while to find your person. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“That’s what Ty said.”
Sofia’s lips tilted upward. “How is Tyson? I haven’t seen him in months. I feel like I’ve had my face in front of the computer
screen all winter.”
“He’s the same old Ty. Still working for his parents and volunteering for the fire company.” He was, in fact, one of the steadiest
men she’d ever known.
“Is he still pining after Britt? I always thought he could do better, and I don’t think anyone except Tyson was too sad when
she moved back home.”
“I’m happy to say he seems to have gotten beyond all that. It was hard to see him struggling. But he’s doing much better these
days. He’s trying to help me figure out who Mom’s new boyfriend is.” Jenna had already filled Sofia in on her suspicions.
“How’s he doing that?”
“We’re gathering information and digging around online.”
A pause ensued as Sofia took a sip of her cold brew. “Have you tried talking to your mom about your concerns?”
“Have you met my mom?”
Sofia’s laugh was infectious. “Okay, okay, point taken. But she might not be too thrilled when she finds out you’ve been investigating
her new love interest behind her back.”
“Probably not, but that beats letting her heart get broken because I stood around doing nothing.”
“Hey, guys.” Tyson strode their way, wearing a warm smile and a white Sand and Saddle polo that showed off his tan. They stood
and greeted him, Sofia going in for a big hug.
The two caught up for a quick minute, then Jenna invited him to sit down.
“Thanks, but I can’t stay. I’m on a coffee run for Mom and Dad. Any luck with that intel?”
Jenna cut him a really? look. “It’s been less than twenty-four hours.”
“What can I say, Greene? I had high expectations of you.”
She gave him a gentle shove. “There are high expectations, and then there are miracles.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time you pulled off one of those.”
As a shortstop Jenna had been known to snag line drives that were seemingly impossible to reach. “Sadly, I’m less spectacular
on the field of life.”
“Stop it.” Ty softened the rebuke with a grin. “You’re as impressive as ever.”
“Parker!” one of the baristas called.
“I should take off while the coffee’s hot. Mom’ll be disappointed they’re out of chocolate croissants.”
“I feel her pain,” Jenna said.
They said their good-byes, then Ty retrieved the drinks and gave a final wave before he slipped out the door.
Jenna took another sip of her drink as she scanned the local artwork on the wall.
“Okay . . . what was that?” Sofia said.
“What was what?”
“That. The two of you just now.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” But the heat rolling into her cheeks belied the statement.
“You guys were flirting with each other.” Sofia’s tone was infused with delight.
“No . . .”
“Yes.”
Jenna thought back to the conversation. Had they been flirting? Maybe just a little. If so, that was new.
“What is going on? There’s something you’re not telling me—you’re biting your lip.”
Jenna released it. “Nothing. There’s nothing going on. But we did have kind of a weird thing yesterday.” Jenna tried to explain
the tense moment that had passed between them, but she ended up feeling stupid—as nothing had actually happened.
“It sounds as if you experienced a fresh awareness of Tyson.”
“I’m perfectly aware of Tyson.”
Sofia gave a droll grin. “Don’t be obtuse. You saw him in a new way. As a man. And maybe he saw you in a new way too.”
Jenna squirmed. “I don’t think so. He cleared his throat and that was that.”
“Well, if he cleared his throat then.”
“He was putting an end to the . . . the . . . whatever it was!”
“Moment of heightened awareness. If your friendship’s moving in a different direction, that’s a delicate matter. And if he
ended the moment, it might’ve been because he was just as confused as you. But I’d also like to point out once again that
he was flirting with you just now, so . . .”
“He was just teasing me, his good ol’ buddy.”
Sofia offered a saucy grin. “Somebody’s in deep denial.”
Jenna sent her a mock scowl. But was her friend right? Were Tyson’s feelings for Jenna evolving? Did she want them to? Something
took flight inside her at the thought. She sure hadn’t minded the flirting. And those fluttery feelings he’d stirred yesterday
had been rather pleasant.
“Do you think your feelings for him are shifting? There’s nothing wrong with that, you know. Tyson’s a great guy.”
“I have no business thinking about any man right now. I just ended a long-term relationship.” She had to figure out if something was wrong with her before she plunged
headlong into another relationship.
“I hear what you’re saying, and that’s certainly a valid point. But just for the record”—Sofia cocked a brow—“you didn’t answer
my question.”