time, a love beyond refrain, a story penned in rhyme, a rose by any name.’”
“Romeo and Juliet?” Graham guessed almost immediately. “It’s a classic love story, an eternal romance in which Shakespeare utilizes rhyming couplets. And in the second act, Juliet says, ‘What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.’”
“Graham always aced our high school English exams.” Elle gifted her husband with a proud, doting smile.
“That’s what my sister, Penny, guessed as well. But when we checked her copy of Romeo and Juliet, we couldn’t find anything.”
Everyone’s brow furrowed in thought, their breakfast forgotten.
“What about an adaptation?” Graham asked.
“Yes!” Elle snapped her fingers. “Like West Side Story.” She grinned sheepishly as she added, “I watched the movie in high school instead of reading the play.”
“That’s an interesting idea,” Kat said slowly. “I did notice a shelf of old DVDs. It’s worth a look.”
“Will you let us know if you find it?” Elle asked.
“Absolutely,” Kat told her as they all resumed eating.
She caught the newlyweds exchange another loving glance and her stomach twisted.
Until meeting Jack, she’d resigned herself to remaining single forever, like Fern.
But now, she wasn’t sure what she wanted anymore.
“Come on, Luce. Pick up,” Jack muttered before the call went to voice mail. He’d been trying to reach her all morning, but she was either avoiding him or busy. He hoped it was the latter.
“Knock, knock.” Vick ducked his head into the office. “Someone’s here to see you.”
“Thanks. I’ll be right there.” Jack stood, his heart pounding. He hadn’t seen Kat since last night when she’d remained glued to Penny’s side. Come to think of it, she’d acted strange ever since Ashley showed up. Hopefully, she hadn’t read too much into it. And if so, he’d gladly set the record straight while they worked on the display this afternoon.
Passing through the busy kitchen, Jack stepped into the main dining area, already wearing a grin in anticipation of seeing Kat again.
“My, aren’t you in a good mood today.”
His blood chilled at the sight of his ex. “You’re still in town?”
She ignored his comment. “Rumor has it you want to turn the Windsor house into an inn. Is that true?”
“Maybe.” He folded his arms in front of his chest, on the defensive. “Why do you care?”
“I can help you.”
“Isn’t it a little presumptuous to assume I’d even want your help? We haven’t spoken in years.”
“You act like that’s my fault.”
“I’m not the one who left.” His jaw clenched, and he hated that she had this effect on him. He suspected his feelings for Ashley had gotten tangled up in his anger toward his father. Either way, he didn’t want to be having this conversation in the middle of his crowded diner.
“But you’re the one who didn’t come after me.” She pinned him with her dark, piercing eyes as though she planned to gaze right into his soul.
But he wouldn’t give her that luxury, not anymore. “You knew I’d never follow you to New York.”
“But I’m in Los Angeles now.” She walked toward him, the click-clack of her heels matching the throbbing of his temples. “A lot has changed, Jack. You want to open an inn, which is a far cry from when all you wanted was a sleepy diner. It’s so ambitious. It’s so—”
“Unlike me?” Jack finished for her.
“I didn’t say that.”
“But you thought it, didn’t you? You were always disappointed I didn’t have loftier goals. I just never knew about it. Until it was too late.”
“Jack,” she released an exasperated sigh, “does any of this matter anymore? I mean, look at you now.” She waved a hand to encompass the bustling restaurant. “It’s not even the lunch rush yet and every booth is filled. You’ve obviously done quite well for yourself. I’ll be sure to pass that along to your father,” she added pointedly.
“Don’t bother,” he growled.
“Why not? Don’t you want him to know how successful you’ve become after turning down his job offer?”
“You mean, the job offer you took?” He regretted the bitter edge to his words. Especially when he noticed her almost imperceptible wince.
“I just thought you’d want him to know how well you’ve done.” She raised her chin as though reclaiming her aura of impenetrable confidence.
“That’s the difference between you and me,” he said softly. “I don’t care what other people think.”
Even as he said the words, he knew they weren’t entirely true. He cared what Kat thought. Especially now as she breezed through the front door