I found the chips Mattie had bought and a jar of salsa and decided to put them in a bowl. I could at least make things half decent and still wasn’t sure about my presentation. I had no idea how to use the oven timer, so I set the microwave for twenty minutes. I hoped it would be enough to warm the food, but I knew it was good enough for frozen pizza, so it had to be enough to warm the dish.
While I waited, I received a text from Glen, but instead of messaging him back, I decided to call to help my time go by faster. It was better than pacing around the room wondering what to say to her.
He answered with his usual pitch. “Jay’s Pub, this is Glen.”
“Why is your place named Jay’s Pub if your name is Glen?” I’d been wondering the answer to that for months, but had never gotten the story.
“Well, it’s good to hear you’re still breathing, and if you really want to know, it’s because this place used to be the Blue Jay Café. I decided to keep a bit of nostalgia. Regretted it every day since.” He chuckled, and the noise in the background died down. I wondered if he’d walked to the back office.
“I guess you missed me last night. Turns out I did get sore from the wreck. It hit me hard yesterday, so I decided to go to the gym and work out the soreness.”
“You’re a lucky man, and I guess I’ll forgive you for ducking out on me the way you did since you didn’t die on me. But you ever pull another stunt like that one, and I’ll never pour you another one.” I almost felt bad for doing it.
“I guess if that happens, I’ll have to start ordering longnecks.” That got a laugh from him.
“Asshole.” He tacked on the word after a pause and then released a sigh of frustration into the phone. “Well, I wanted to check on my favorite customer and make sure you weren’t back in the hospital.”
“No, but I do have a nurse stopping by.” I gave a sly chuckle. I’d told him about Lexa and how she’d helped me. And, that she was sexy as fuck.
“Nice. I guess I won’t be seeing you tonight, either?”
“If I’m lucky. We’re having lunch, so I doubt it will be an all-nighter.” I heard the gates open and went to the window. “She’s here; I’ll fill you in over drinks soon.” We said a short goodbye, and I hurried to the door. She parked in the circle and then got out looking fresh as a flower on a spring day.
“You look beautiful.” I found my own honesty a surprise, but her smile was worth it.
“Thank you; you look nice, too. How are you healing up?” She walked up and took my chin between her fingers and turned my head to get a good look at the small cut by my eye. “Looking good.” She stepped away, and I waved her into the house.
“I hope you like Mexican food, I-”
“Yes. It smells amazing; I didn’t know you could cook.” She took a deep breath and smiled. “Wow.” I didn’t know what to say, but I didn’t correct her. Would it hurt if she thought I cooked the food? I wondered. Technically I did heat it, so I let it slide. Mattie wasn’t around to correct me.
“Have a seat, and I’ll go fix you a drink and check the food.” I led her to the front room to the sofa I’d crashed on too many times to count over the past few months. I was thankful Mattie had shown up when she did and the house was presentable. I hoped she didn’t look up since Mattie had taken my no ladder rule to heart.
“Sure, thanks. Do you mind if I look around?” She had her eye on my mother’s favorite painting, and I extended my arm to show welcome.
“Make yourself at home.”
I hurried into the kitchen hoping the dish hadn’t burned and thankfully the timer was ticking down its last few seconds. I opened the oven to see the enchiladas were bubbling hot and checked the drawers for the oven mitts, which Mattie had put away. I had kept them on the counter for months, but nothing was where I’d left it. I went to the cabinet hoping to find plates and wished I’d set the formal dining room. Here I was with a grand estate and I was serving my date reheated dinner from the night before on our service wares. I could do better.
I ran through the living room, holding up a finger to Lexa as I passed, hoping she’d stay put. When she did, I went to the formal dining room and checked to see if Mattie had cleaned it. Sure enough, it was sparkling clean, and the faint smell of polish hung in the air.
On my way back through, she stood as I passed. “Can I help with anything? I don’t mind, really.”
“Um, sure.” I figured it was better to let her instead of running around like a fool. “Come on, and we’ll get the table set. Dinner’s ready, but I didn’t want us to eat in the kitchen.”
She followed me into the room. “Oh, either table is fine with me. I’m more interested in the company.” I went to the cabinet where mother kept her Limoges service. Lexa’s eyes widened, and she ran her fingers over the pattern. “It’s beautiful.”
“This was my grandmother’s, and it was my mother’s pride, so that’s why I want us at the formal table. You’re a worthy guest.” I couldn’t help but wonder what my mother would think of Lexa. She was always worried about the type of women I liked and rarely approved, but I would bet the bank she’d like her.
Her hand fell upon mine, and she looked up at me with a warm smile. “Thank you.” Was it crazy that those two little words turned me on?
Chapter Ten
Lexa
“I can’t get over these enchiladas. I don’t think I’ve had any this good.” I sipped my wine and then took my last bite.
“Yeah, they’re one of my favorites.” He looked around the dining room, and my eyes followed suit. The room glowed with a soft peach hue as the sun reflected through the window and off the walls. “I can’t remember the last time I had a meal in here.” The weight of his brow told me that it must have been with his family.