• • •
Three weeks had passed since my walk with Jace. I hadn’t seen or heard from him, even though I knew he and Nathan had hung out a few times. They’d specifically done so when I was working or otherwise not home—not that I was keeping track, but I’d expected to run into him at least once in all this time.
The hiatus from Jace ended one evening at work. It was a particularly busy night at Mayaka, and we’d had to seat people from different parties together at the same hibachi tables. One minute there was a family with three kids at table ten; the next minute I looked over to find Jace and his dad sitting at the far end next to them. Jace looked extremely out of place, sandwiched tightly between his father and a little girl who was trying to get him to show her how to use chopsticks. Despite my sudden nerves, the sight warmed my heart a little.
Putting on my big-girl panties, I moved my shoulders back and headed over to them.
“Mr. Muldoon, it’s so good to see you.”
“Likewise, gorgeous.” Jace’s dad smiled. “And please call me Phil.”
Jace patted his shoulder. “Pipe down, old man.”
Blowing a breath up into my hair, I asked, “What brings you two here?”
“My son said he was in the mood for some Japanese, but I think he was really just in the mood to look at your pretty face.”
“Jesus…” Jace rolled his eyes. “I can’t take this guy anywhere.”
As much as them being here made me uncomfortable, I had to laugh at how red Jace’s face turned after that comment.
I took the order of the entire table and gave it to the chef, and I appreciated the respite returning to the kitchen provided as I got waters for everyone.
When I returned to the dining area, the chef had begun chopping vegetables and working his usual magic: tossing an egg into the air before it landed on the grill, searing all of the meat and seafood with beautiful precision. Beyond the shooting flames, I could see Jace’s smile, which made my chest ache. His dad was smiling, too, and I was happy to see that. The little girl seemed to be egging the chef on. She volunteered Jace to catch some food in his mouth. Jace complied. After three tries, he finally caught a piece of chicken before lifting his arms in victory as the entire table cheered. Then he high-fived the little girl. My heart fluttered, because I’d never seen Jace interact with a child before. It made me wonder what he’d be like as a father, whether that was even something he wanted. We’d never discussed it. I wondered how close he’d come to getting married to that girlfriend he had back in North Carolina, what might have happened had he not been forced to return here. I shook the thoughts out of my head, reminding myself that these questions were irrelevant. I shouldn’t have been so concerned with the answers.
Although he stole glances in my direction, I didn’t stop to make conversation with Jace and his father. I was glad we were so busy tonight. Eventually, though, the other family at Jace’s table paid their bill and left. Jace and his dad lingered, so I forced myself to go over there to see if they wanted anything else.
“Can I get you some dessert?”
“My son would definitely like a piece of your pie, but he’s too proud to ask.”
Jace shut his eyes, looking mortified.
I cleared my throat. “You mean apple pie a la mode?”
“Whatever you have.” Phil winked.
“Coming right up.”
In the kitchen, I prepared a piece of pie, putting extra whipped cream on top, remembering that Jace used to eat it straight out of the can when he’d lived with us.
I walked it over to their table and placed it in between them with two forks.
“Hope you enjoy.” I also set their check down. “And no rush. Just wanted to leave this here for whenever you’re ready.”
Before I could escape again, I felt Jace’s hand around my wrist. It sent what felt like shockwaves through my body.
He looked into my eyes. “Thank you.”
Jace released my wrist gently. I nodded, wishing it were the nearby flames that had made me so damn hot. I felt unbalanced as I walked to the other side of the dining room.
After that, I focused so intently on serving another table that I didn’t notice Jace and his father leave. Looking over at their empty seats, I felt a mix of relief and strangely…emptiness. Maybe his departure reminded me of another sudden exit three years ago. Either way, I was better off now that he was gone. I could concentrate on my job.
When I went to their table to retrieve the bill, I noticed Jace had left cash, along with an unreasonably large tip. That didn’t surprise me. But the message written on the receipt did.