Chapter Twelve
Jack
Later that night, I’m keeping an eye on the heavy-handed bartender while also glancing around at the early evening crowd. I’m supposed to be out for dinner with Taylor. Instead, I’m sitting with my sister at the bar while she waits for Lucas.
“I don’t know what happened,” I tell her.
“One minute Taylor and I are having a fun breakfast, the next her ex-boyfriend calls, and she’s canceling dinner saying she says she has work she has to get done by tomorrow morning.
It didn’t make sense then and it doesn’t make sense now.
” If Taylor had work, she wouldn’t have agreed to the date in the first place.
“Not to mention, her mood changed as soon as she returned from taking the call.” I drum my fingers on the countertop.
Throughout the day, my frustration has merely grown.
“Something’s going on with her ex.” Rainey nods with certainty. She tucks a strand of brown hair, just like mine, behind her ear. “Do you know anything about him?”
I shake my head. “We haven’t discussed anything serious, like our past dating history.” I’d hoped we’d go below the surface tonight, get to know each other on a deeper level.
“Have you called her today?” She props her chin on her hand, elbow on the bar.
“No. Things were awkward when I left.”
“Ask her out again. Tell her you want to reschedule. If she does, you’ll know for sure her canceling isn’t about you. If she hesitates or makes an excuse, I’ll buy you a drink.”
Since I own the bar and don’t pay for my liquor, I roll my eyes.
She sticks out her tongue like when we were kids just as Lucas arrives. “Aah, sibling time. You two are always ridiculous.”
I lift one shoulder. “You try growing up with her.”
Rainey rises to her feet and wraps her arms around Lucas’s neck. “Hi, honey.” She presses a long kiss to his lips and I look away. Not because I’m envious of how easy their relationship is now—which I am—but because she’s my sister and I don’t need to watch her making out with my partner.
“Are you ready to head out?” Lucas asks, and I glance back at them.
She nods. “I’m starving,” she says, slipping her hand into his.
There’s no reason for Lucas to hang around. We have a manager and assistant manager who can run this place if none of us show up at night. As for me, I’m not going to stay long.
“Have fun, you two.” I rise to my feet. I’ll stop and talk to Lorenzo, the manager, and remind him to keep an eye on Bella’s over-pouring before heading out.
“Jack, don’t forget what I said. Call her and ask her out again. You’re a catch, little brother.”
She earns another eye roll from me because I’m only a year younger than her twenty-nine years. “Thanks, I’ll think about it.”
Do I really want to push Taylor for another date? Yes, I do because I’m not the type to stand on ceremony. But if she shoots me down, she’ll have made herself clear. And I’ll cancel yacht day too.
I wait until I’m in my car heading home before I call her on speakerphone.
“Hi,” she says, picking up on the third ring.
“Hi. How are you?” I ask.
“Tired but good. You?”
“Same. I spent the day at the club. I’m ready to call it a night.” I pull out of the parking lot and onto the road.
Silence descends, and I know it’s up to me to pick up the slack. “How’s your work going?” I ask.
She expels a long sigh. “It’s … challenging, but I’m getting there.”
“Good.” More silence. She still sounds somewhat down compared to when we were together earlier but if I’m going to ask, now’s the time. “What do you think about rescheduling dinner?”
“I’d love to!” she answers quickly and my pulse, which had felt dull all day, picks up a healthy rhythm. Whatever she had to do today and tonight, it had nothing to do with me.
“What night works for you?”
“Honestly, I’m free from now on. I’m sorry about having to cancel. It couldn’t be helped. Call it an emergency of sorts. How’s tomorrow night?” she asks.
I flip my signal and ease onto A1A, which runs parallel to the beach. “Tomorrow night works. I’ll pick you up at seven. Or would you rather go earlier?”
She laughs and the light tinkling sound warms me. “Can we go at six? I’m exhausted lately.”
I chuckle along with her. “Sure. Six it is. It’s casual,” I say, assuming she’d like to know how to dress.
I plan to take her for dinner and bring her back to my house for coffee. Make that decaffeinated tea. When I hang up with Taylor, I’ll message my housekeeper to pick up what I need from the store and the best bakery near me.
“Sounds perfect.” She pauses, then says, “I’m looking forward to seeing you again. Really.”
She’s still trying to apologize for canceling and the awkwardness that followed, but I’ve let it go. “Me too,” I assure her. “See you then.”
“Bye,” she says in a soft voice that goes straight to my dick.
Dinner out, then dessert at my place with no expectations. But that won’t stop me from hoping for more kisses like the ones we shared in Charleston. Beyond that? I guess we’ll see.