Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
ELEVEN YEARS AGO
Josie
It’s been a couple of days since I’ve seen Ian in the sailing club restaurant, and my usual enthusiasm for my work is flagging.
I know he’s been away at his sailing competition—or I guess they call it a regatta—but I can’t help my gaze flying to the doorway anytime someone in a jacket that looks remotely like a white windbreaker comes through it.
Alice laughs as my shoulders slump at the sight of a girl from the junior team.
“Did he say how long he’d be gone?” she asks.
I shake my head. “He said he’d be back this weekend. But I don’t know what day. I think it depends on how well the team performs and if they advance to the next round.”
“Text and ask him.”
I bite my lip. Things are still new with Ian, and I don’t want him to think he can’t go away for three days without me sending a barrage of texts asking when he’ll be home. “He sounded super busy.”
“He won’t mind. He’s obviously totally into you or he wouldn’t be waiting around every day after your shift to take you out on the sailboat.” She grins and nudges my arm. “Did he mention the Fourth of July party yet?”
“No…” I shoot her a grin. “But his dad invited me to come and hang out at the pool.”
“His dad invited you?” Alice’s eyes bug out. “Christopher Langley invited you to his house and you didn’t tell me?”
“Well, I mean, Christopher mentioned it to Ian that day we had drinks. He said that Ian should have me over at the pool.”
Alice’s gaze drifts past me. “Speaking of…” She clutches my arm. “Look who just came in.”
I spin around and spot Susan leading Christopher to his regular table.
“That’s Lola’s section today,” Alice says. “Too bad it’s not yours. This would be the perfect opportunity to kiss up to your boyfriend’s dad.” She pauses with a conspiratorial grin. “Promise I can be your date to the Fourth of July party.”
I open my mouth to say that Ian isn’t my boyfriend, but then I remember the pressure of his chest against mine, the way his arms wrapped around my back to pull me onto his lap as the sailboat rocked beneath us, our lips colliding.
We haven’t made it official, but I can tell Ian really likes me, and I’ve never felt this way before.
At that moment, Susan crosses the room to where we’re standing. “Josie, you’ve got Table 4D today.”
I automatically nod, but then stop abruptly. “Wait. Isn’t Lola in section four today?” Table 4D is Christopher’s. That’s definitely Lola’s section.
Susan shrugs. “I moved some staff around. Like I said, if you make the clients happy, you get assigned to the best tables.”
Behind Susan’s back, Alice opens her mouth in a silent OMG and does a little dance. Once Susan has headed across the restaurant, Alice leans in. “I bet this is because of Ian. Christopher probably requested you.”
I shake my head. “I doubt it. Christopher is so reserved; he barely even looks at me.”
“He and Mrs. Langley invited you to have drinks with them. You’re going to their pool. They must know Ian really likes you. Christopher’s reserved, but I bet he’s trying to be nice to you.” She gives my arm a shake. “We are so going to that party.”
“Not if I don’t go wait on him, we’re not,” I say with a grin, spinning on my heel and heading over to Christopher’s table. He’s alone, but I bring two menus and hold them out. “Hi, Mr. Langley. Will any clients be joining you for a meeting today? Or Mrs. Langley?”
“No, it’s just me,” Christopher says, taking one of the menus. “Mrs. Langley doesn’t come to the club very much.”
I remember her warm smile as we sat at this table a few days ago. Alice mentioned she’s rarely around, too. Did she come to the club that day just to meet me? There would only be one reason for that—because Ian has been talking about me. A thrill runs through me.
“I’m happy to have you as my server,” Christopher says with more warmth than I’ve ever heard from him.
He gives me a half-smile, and I catch a glimpse of that movie-star charm from the billboards.
“It gives me a chance to invite you to come out to the pool on Saturday. Ian is so eager to see you that he asked me to say something if I ran into you here.” He gives me a wink. “I hope you can make it.”
For a moment, all I can do is stare. Did Christopher Langley just wink at me?
I’d almost believe I’d imagined it except he still has that subtle smile on his face.
The only explanation is what Alice suggested earlier—Ian must have told his dad how much he likes me.
Maybe Christopher isn’t so aloof after all.
He’s an important and busy man, he can’t spend his days charming everyone.
He’s probably a different person when he’s with his inner circle than he is out in public where everyone wants something from him.
And if he’s showing me this side of him, he must believe I’m someone who could be important in his son’s life.
“I’d love to come,” I say, returning his smile. “I wasn’t sure when Ian would be back from the regatta.” I was fully prepared not to see him until next week, but now it will only be a couple more days.
“The schedule depends on their performance and if they advance.”
I nod because this confirms what I thought. I hope it doesn’t mean Ian’s team is losing, though. But if they are, I’m happy I’ll be the one who gets to cheer him up.