Chapter Eighteen
It was kind of strange how they’d run into each other twice, even outside of the studio, Jeff decided, giving their waitress a smile as they ordered. Especially considering she’d only been in town since yesterday.
He’d ordered an assortment of appetizers, and after he talked her into trying the chicken cordon bleu, which was new to the menu, he’d decided on a bacon wrapped filet for himself with a bunch of side dishes to go along with it.
“The portions are smaller here than they are at the Inn’s restaurant,” he admitted. “But I kind of like that. Then I can fill up on other stuff first.”
She groaned. “I really really really need to start working out again.”
Jeff laughed. “Don’t forget to text me that list of equipment. I just took care of ordering some bedroom furniture for the master, since I’m not sleeping in there yet myself.”
She cocked her head. “Why not?”
He shrugged. “I did a complete demo on the kitchen, and I’ve been refinishing floors and woodwork, so I hadn’t got around to painting. Now, it can wait because of the situation. I lucked out tonight and found exactly the kind of bedroom furniture I’ve been looking for since I bought my house three years ago.”
She nodded, looking slightly surprised. “You’ve done all the restorations yourself?”
“I did, although sometimes I’ve needed a little help. But since my father owns the local construction business, it’s easy to find people who want to make a few extra bucks helping out. Everyone in our family has experience doing some type of demo or restoration work. Kelly’s about the only one who hasn’t. She’s doing some staging work for homes we’ve bought for flipping though. My sister Kate will be taking over the business one day.”
“Really?” Wren grimaced. “I’m pretty good with painting techniques and refinishing some kinds of furniture when I’m in the mood, but I wouldn’t have a clue about how to refinish a floor or design the footprint of a kitchen, even though I do know what I like.”
They talked about Jeff’s home for the next few minutes as Wren sampled the appetizers, which she appeared to enjoy. Soon, dinner arrived, and she definitely seemed to appreciate the chicken cordon bleu as well.
“You haven’t asked what I thought about your demos,” she observed as they drank some after dinner coffee.
“Eve called and gave me the gist of it all,” he answered, smiling. “But since that’s business, we can talk about that tomorrow.”
She laughed. “Okay. Tell me more about this place. How often do they use that stage over there?”
“There’s live entertainment Thursday through Sunday,” he answered. “We have some pretty decent performers living in the area.”
“I’ll say,” she admitted. “Marielle McKinnon, Emily Richardson, not to mention Eve. That’s part of the reason I’m here.”
“Each of them has performed on that stage sometime or another,” he admitted.
They sat for another fifteen minutes, discussing the local performers and those Jeff thought had great potential.
Until Wren glanced at her watch. “I suppose we’d better get going. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep since I’ve been on the road. Hopefully, the coffee won’t keep me awake.”
Jeff hated to part ways.
But he’d have her alone soon enough.
Damn it. He was definitely getting involved again, even though he’d told himself not to.
The tension between them had been electric throughout the night, and when Jeff got the impression that Wren wouldn’t mind, he almost kissed her in the parking lot after he’d escorted her to the SUV.
But after pulling out the cooler that contained his groceries from the back seat, he gave her a quick smile instead. “I’ll see you in the morning. Alright?”
She gave him a rueful smile, her eyes momentarily lingering on his lips.
And then she winked. “Alright. Goodnight.”
He was laughing as she closed the driver’s seat door. Revving up the engine, she backed up the SUV and drove away.
What a day, Jeff thought, stepping into his truck after loading the cooler in the back seat.
He was surprised to realize that the night had been pretty much perfect too. Jeff couldn’t remember the last time he’d had such a relaxing yet stimulating date with a woman. There hadn’t been one single lapse in their conversation throughout the entire night.
And yes, it had definitely been a date, whether he – or she – liked the idea or not.