Chapter 11 #2
“Cheers,” he says as we stroll side-by-side with no direction.
“Cheers.” I tap my plastic cup gently against his, careful not to spill. Moira really loaded his up.
He takes a gulp, and I can’t help watching the movement of his throat. He stops, glances at me, then down at the drink. Silence stretches on while he considers it.
“Well?”
“Delicious,” he remarks, holding eye contact.
“You don’t have to lie to make me feel better. You already dissed my beloved coffee without even trying it. What’s one more blow?”
He studies me far too intensely to just be talking about cider. “I’m not.”
“Okay.” I turn, walking again, hoping he doesn’t notice my flushed cheeks. He falls back in step beside me.
“So, are you here with anyone?” he asks. “I didn’t mean to intrude, I really just came to check things out, but then I spotted you from across the clearing and had to say hello.”
“My daughter’s here with me.”
“Ah. Off playing with friends?”
“No. She likes to sit at my friend’s table and help her sell jewelry. Probably because she always let’s her pick out a piece for free at the end for helping her.”
“How old is she—if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Not at all. Ten.”
Usually when I tell people how old my kid is, I can see them doing the math in their heads, and judgement creeps into their expressions. Or they just assume I’m older than I am.
Jameson doesn’t react that way. But it’s not like this is a date, where a man might go running for the hills at the news. He’s simply a client making polite conversation.
“Never had kids myself. Work-life balance wasn’t always so great. You work yourself to the bone and then suddenly you’re thirty-nine and realize maybe…you did it all wrong.” He shakes his head, looking down. Then he glances back at me. “Sorry. I don’t know why I dumped all that on you.”
“No, it’s fine. I get it.” I give a small smile. “I’m kind of the opposite. Started young and made my whole life about my daughter. Tried so hard because I was worried people would look for any excuse to say something negative. A career was always kind of on the back burner.”
And now I’m oversharing. But he’s so easy to talk to. He feels like an old friend.
“I’m sure you’re doing amazing.”
A cold breeze sweeps through as I gulp down more cider. Whatever Moira puts in this—it’s heaven. I close my eyes, savoring it, and let out an involuntary sound, like a moan.
Jameson chuckles. When I open my eyes, he’s watching me with rapt attention.
“I get it.” He grins, lifting his cup.
“Jameson?”
We both spin at the sound of his name. The newlyweds, Liam and Layla, plus Liam’s adopted nephew, Jackson, approach us.
I laugh inwardly as they both glance between Jameson and me, confusion clear in their expressions.
“Hey guys,” I say.
After the bewilderment disappears, a grin creeps up on Layla’s face, like she’s caught me doing something sneaky.
She’s always scheming to set me up with someone.
A quality man who deserves me, as she says.
I don’t know exactly what that entails anymore.
I usually pick wrong. I blame the lack of selection around here, but still, I’m tired of settling. It’s a waste of time.
“What brings you to town, Jameson?” Liam asks. I’m mildly surprised he didn’t even know his friend was in town.
“Looking at more properties?” Layla adds.
“Maybe.” Jameson rubs his jaw, then tilts his head toward me. “I’m in no rush. Figured I’d check out the area more. Get the full experience. Carly told me about the market, and then I ran into her.”
Layla’s grin widens.
“Still liking it?” Liam asks, looking between the both of us with a smile that matches his wife’s.
“Love it. It’s beautiful,” Jameson says. Then he glances at me.
Layla clears her throat, and we break our eye contact.
Her expression has become full of mischief.
“You both should come over for dinner tonight. Liam’s cooking, and I won’t take no for an answer.
I know you’re trying to experience the town and all it has to offer, but you won’t get better food than what he’ll cook up for us, sooo…
” She looks between the both of us, waiting.
“I—”
“I’d love to,” Jameson cuts in, smirking sideways at me. “Can’t speak for Carly, though.”
“I—” I hesitate, aware of every eye on me. “I can’t tonight, sorry guys.” I glance at Jameson. Is that disappointment on his face?
“And why not?” Layla presses, like she doesn’t buy it.
I’m not exactly lying. I just don’t want to drag Jess into…whatever this is. It feels like Layla is trying to orchestrate a double date.
“Yeah, why can’t Jess come?” Jackson suddenly appears interested in the grown-up conversation. I’m pretty sure he has a crush on Jess, who is two years older than him. It’s adorable.
“We have stuff going on tonight,” I say to Jackson. “I’m sorry, dude.”
I shoot Layla a pleading look. She sighs, disappointed, but lets it drop.
Jameson’s eyes linger on me, and I feel heat creep up again. He is hot, I admit it. Like, he could probably bring me to my knees in front of him with one glance, but…I really don’t know him very well.
“Have a good time,” I tell him with a weak smile. Truthfully, I do want to see more of him. But what’s the point?
He nods, then looks away.
“I can’t believe you’ve never cooked for me before,” he teases Liam. “You’ve been holding out on me.”
“Well, I’ve never taken you out on a date before either.”
“Yeah, why is that?”
Liam shrugs. “I don’t know. Dreamy Irish motorcycle riders with a bit of grey hair aren’t really my type.”
I laugh.
“That’s right. I am his type,” Layla announces proudly, wrapping her arm around his waist.
“Gross,” Jackson mutters.
“That’s right, you are,” Liam agrees, kissing the top of her head.
“Okay, well. I should probably get going,” I turn to Jameson. “It was nice running into you. Thanks for the drink. If you decide you want to look at any more properties in the next couple of days, let me know. I’m pretty open.”
He raises his eyebrows.
“Besides tonight, I mean.”
“Okay. I will.”
“Liam, Layla…Jackson!” I wave at them as I walk backwards.
“Bye, Carly. Thanks for the extra dessert the other night!”
“Shh,” I press a finger to my lips. Out of the corner of my eye, Jameson is still watching me. “That was supposed to be a secret.”
Liam and Layla laugh as I smile and walk away.