Chapter 7
Jo was working the counter when the phone rang. “It’s a great day at Cuppa Jo’s. How can we help you?”
“How about I cook for you tonight?” Blue said. “At my place. Steaks on the grill, corn, the works. What do you say?”
“Well, it’s about time.”
“Come on, Jo. I’m sorry for the whole situation. Our vacation, staying away too long…”
“Not calling,” she added.
“You’re right, that was bad. But we need to start somewhere to get back on track.”
“Only if this is what we both want, right?” As soon as she spoke, she knew that was harsh.
“It is what I want. Let me show you.”
Jo paused, tempted. She glanced outside at the intersection of Orange Avenue and Summer Street. Blue’s house was at the other end of Summer Street. She hadn’t been there in weeks.
“What time?” she asked.
“Seven?”
“I’ll be there.”
She wasn’t sure if she was doing the right thing. Yesterday, she’d had such a nice dinner with Rocky. He was smart and supportive, and they’d laughed over all sorts of things as the evening wore on.
It was late afternoon, so Jo checked her personal phone for messages. There was one from Maileah.
How was dinner? Rocky is a great guy.
Jo sucked in a breath. She trusted Maileah, but there were other Cuppa Jo customers she’d seen at the Rockin’ Roll. This kind of news could spread across the island.
She tapped a reply. He’s helping me with a project.
Sure he is. Let me know if you want to talk;)
Jo pressed a hand to her forehead. Before she got herself into an uncomfortable situation, she had to give Blue one more chance.
She had to be sure.
Candy breezed into the diner from the back entry, pinning her name tag on her red striped shirt. “Hi, Jo,” she said brightly. “I’m ready for a spectacular evening. How was business today?”
Jo smiled at Candy’s enthusiasm for her new assistant manager position. “It’s been busy. Very steady.”
“That’s great. I woke in the middle of the night with some new ideas for you. Do you want to hear them now or…” She paused, peering at Jo, who seemed distracted. “Are you okay?”
“I have a lot on my mind. Can we talk tomorrow? I want to hear your ideas, but I must leave early,” Jo said, taking off her apron. “If there’s anything you need, you know where to reach me.” She held up her phone.
“Don’t worry about us,” Candy said, playfully flicking a dishtowel in her direction. “We’ll keep the party going.”
Jo went home and plucked a fresh towel from the dryer. Hugo had washed and dried towels before he left. Her baby brother was growing up.
After showering, she stood in front of her closet, staring at her options. Her first instinct was jeans and a T-shirt. Nothing that might suggest she’d tried to impress him.
She recalled how much care Blue took with the outdoor grill and how he always made sure her steak or fish was cooked to perfection.
Could they make it back to where they were, hit the restart button, and move ahead? Maybe. They sure weren’t moving ahead from where they were right now.
They needed a truce first, then she could reconsider.
She reached past the jeans and pulled out a pink sundress he’d given her. He’d told her he liked her in pink with her dark curly hair.
One more chance.
She opened her jewelry box and lifted a delicate gold necklace with a small heart pendant from the black velvet interior.
He’d given this necklace to her last year for her birthday.
She’d worn it every day for months but took it off when he canceled their trip, left for Chicago, and ceased communication.
She had to put that thought aside, if only for tonight. She fastened the glittering chain around her neck and looked in the mirror.
She’d once been happy in this outfit. She still loved Blue, despite his silences and disappearing act. Maybe they could clear the air and find that happiness again.
Was love enough to go forward? She honestly didn’t know. It depended on him tonight. On whether the man who showed up at that door was the Blue she’d fallen for, or the one who’d spent two weeks in Chicago without picking up the phone.
That was snarky, she told herself, even though it was true.
She drew a deep breath and exhaled, calming her nervous system.
Tonight, she resolved to meet him halfway.
Jo walked the short distance from her house to Blue’s on Summer Street, enjoying the cooler temperature before sunset. The smell of barbecue smoke drifted on the ocean breeze to her even before she reached his house.
She lifted her hand to knock, but the door swung open.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” he said, his voice rich with affection.
His words caught her off guard, and so did the way he looked. In her eyes, he was better-looking than any man had a right to be. She blinked a few times as if clearing her vision to see the real man. “I’m not late.”
A smile played on his lips. “You’re early. I was just eager to see you.”
Blue wore a knit-collared shirt she’d never seen before, its short sleeves stretched across his muscular arms. He’d taken time to groom his hair to perfection, and he wore her favorite eau de cologne.
“You look sensational in that dress,” he said, reaching for her hand. He noticed the necklace and smiled again, looking relieved. He leaned in to kiss her.
She felt her body respond. This is almost like old times, she thought.
He brought her into a hug, and she let him hold her longer than she’d planned, because his arms felt so good around her. She’d been starved for his affection.
“Come in,” he said, keeping his arm around her shoulders. “I have your favorite wine.”
“That would be nice.” And necessary, she thought.
She followed him inside. The house was spartan, as usual. A comfortable couch and large screen television occupied the living room, as well as a bookshelf with more fishing gear than books. The kitchen counter was spotless, and he’d lit the vanilla-scented candles she’d once brought over.
On the couch, she noticed a throw pillow she’d given him. It was navy blue with a white anchor. He’d never used it before. Tonight it sat in the center of the couch like an apology.
Blue handed her a glass of her favorite summer wine, a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, crisp and chilled.
“You remembered,” she said. “And the pillow, too.”
“I remember everything,” he said, his voice edged with emotion. “Even the candles,” he added with an apologetic smile. “I admit, I’ve acted like a fool in the past.”
She didn’t dispute that.
The wine was good, and she followed him through the back door to the patio, where a charcoal grill smoked with an incredible aroma, and a bistro table was set for two. Her favorite instrumental piano music played softly over speakers he’d set up.
He’d even strung white fairy lights overhead.
“That’s a nice touch,” she said, tilting her head back.
“I thought you’d like it.”
He’d certainly put in the effort on details, but could he manage the larger signal she needed now?
They sat at the bistro table with their wine, and Blue spoke first. “I’m sorry about the trip, Jo. I know how much Yosemite meant to you, because it meant a lot to me, too.”
She turned her wine glass slowly on the table.
“I was looking forward to our first real vacation.” They’d stolen long weekends here and there, but between Hugo being in high school and each of them managing a busy career, the months and years had slipped by without them taking much time for themselves.
“You had every right to be upset. I should have handled it differently. I misplaced my phone, and then the battery ran down—”
“And the dog ate your homework.” When hurt and guilt flashed across his face, she bit her lip. She hadn’t meant to ridicule him in the middle of his apology.
She tried again. “I know things happen. I was disappointed, and when I didn’t hear from you, very hurt. I don’t blame you for dodging me after the messages I left.”
“Still, I should have reached out. I won’t make that mistake again.”
“And I got snippy with you.”
“Snippy?”
“My grandmother says that.” She turned up the corner of her mouth. “I was irritated and getting back at you. The cold enchiladas, the leftover coffee.” She allowed a small smile. “The no beans and rice comment.”
“I deserved every bit of it.” He reached across the table and took her hand.
“I meant to come home sooner. But every day, my mother or sisters had something they needed help with. Talking to Ma’s doctors about her anxiety, doing repairs around the house, taking her car in.
Sadie’s oldest son is having a hard time at school, and he’s been getting in trouble.
She asked me to talk to him, which I did.
” He shook his head. “One day turned into two, then three, that turned into a week, and before I knew it, I’d burned through our vacation time. ”
He looked down at his hands. “With every day that flew by, more guilt piled up and the harder it was to pick up the phone. Can you try to understand? It won’t ever happen again.”
Jo smoothed her hand along his arm, and he raised his gaze to her. He was being honest.
“I can see how that could happen,” she said, keeping her promise to herself to give their relationship one more chance. “Let’s put this behind us.”
The relief on his face was so plain it made her chest ache. He squeezed her hand and held it.
“Then I forgive you for the cold enchiladas, too,” he said, his eyes crinkling with humor.
Jo responded with a faux huff. “Even cold, those enchiladas were delicious, and you know it.”
“I didn’t leave a speck on the plate, did I?” He grinned, and there he was.
The Blue she’d fallen for. The one who, with his lazy smile, could make her feel like the only person in the room—even when the room was her crowded diner on a Friday night.
He slid next to her, cradled her face in his hand, and kissed her again. “I think we’re making progress.”
Not quite ready to give him full satisfaction, Jo only smiled. She was enjoying his attention. “The night is still young.”
“So it is. I need to check the fire.”