and I look at Mae for help as Jacob’s hand nearly burns a hole through my sweater. Mae mouths, “Lilac?” to me, and I want to curse her as the worst best friend ever.
“That’s a strange name,” Spencer says, drawing my attention back to him.
Ignoring the jab at my nickname, Jacob states his name without offering a hand. “Jacob Vincent.”
“Spencer Campbell.”
That’s it, conversation over. The two men are opposites—one is sunshine and the other rain.
“So, I guess I’ll give you a call,” Spencer says, holding up his phone and giving it a shake.
“You do that,” Mae encourages, and I want to drown her in my margarita.
“Nice to see you again,” I say, knowing there’s no way surfer boy Spencer Campbell will call me, especially after my pushy friend and my glaring boss made the past three minutes the most awkward of my life. Spencer leans forward, boldly giving me a cheek kiss and then excuses himself. As soon as he steps away, both Mae and I visually follow his retreat until Jacob steps in front of me to block my view.
“Want to introduce me?” he demands.
“Want to be introduced?” I ask, crossing my arms, wondering why he chose now to come to the table and what he’s playing at for someone who wants to remain a secret. Being the mystery man in the woods and all that.
“Jacob Vincent.” He introduces himself, holding out a hand to Mae.
“Mae Fox-Holland,” she says and then looks at me, mouthing, “Panty-melting.”
“Can I speak with you a minute?” Jacob states, his eyes zeroing in on me.
“You know what? I’m going to head out. Why don’t you take my seat, and you can talk here?” Mae suggests, scooting herself to the edge of the booth. Jacob steps back, allowing Mae to exit, but I reach for my friend.
“Don’t go,” I say, suddenly feeling guilty that our girls’ night is over. She needed tonight as much as I did.
“We’re good,” Mae assures me and stands from the bench seat. “See you Monday.”
After a quick hug, Mae walks away, and Jacob turns on me. “Perfect as I need to see you at my place tomorrow.”
“Is that all you had to say to me?” I ask as we remain standing next to the booth. When he doesn’t answer me directly, I reach for my purse, searching for my credit card.
“You’re all set. It’s all on my tab.”
“Thank you. You didn’t have to do that. Now, if that’s all you had to say, I guess my night is over too.” I’m bitter about this fact. I wanted to hang out with Mae, talk about men in general, and just enjoy some laughter.
I walk around Jacob and head out the front door to Main Street. The February air is bitter cold like I suddenly feel. Jacob had no right to walk over when he did, nor did he need to run off Mae. Not to mention, seeing Spencer has brought on a wave of regret and memories of Brendan. Crossing my arms to huddle against the cold, I walk toward my apartment.
“Where are you going?” Jacob calls after me.
“Home,” I say over my shoulder, not stopping due to the frigid temperature.
“Where’s home?” he questions, catching up to me and keeping pace with my rapid stride. I stop and stare at him.
“After all this time, you don’t know where I live?” I’m floored. How can he not know? I mean, I don’t expect him to have my address memorized, but how does he not remember I live over the pharmacy? It’s all a reminder that Jacob doesn’t know me. He likes to keep me at arm’s length, and that’s what makes the other night even more confusing.
“I’ll walk you home,” he suggests, and I huff, mist forming outside my mouth in the cold night.
“It’s right there.” I point at the pharmacy across the street at the end of the block.
“I’m still walking you across the street then,” Jacob demands, and we walk in silence a few steps. “Look, the other night—”
“We don’t need to talk about it,” I cut him off.
“But I don’t want you to think—”
“I don’t think anything of it,” I lie.
“You don’t?” he questions, his tone almost sounds hurt, and I chew my lip to prevent clarifying.
I’d love for you to do it again sometime, but that probably isn’t a good idea. As badly as my body wants it, my heart can’t take it.
“I understand you were under duress from a bad dream, and I was there. Perhaps you