Just be back before I leave at six. Call me if you need something. I’ll have my phone on me.” And Sam never went anywhere without his phone.
Jack heard the front door open and shut, but his gaze stayed glued to the calendar as he wavered on how to make this work. He’d have to convince Emma to raise money for the Women’s Wellness Center, which seemed like a great cause to Jack. And the Women’s Wellness Center would need to join with Emma’s event. It seemed like a win-win union if they both agreed.
He leaned back in his chair. There was only one way to find out. He’d have to drop in and see Emma after work. If she said yes, their deal stood. If her answer was no, then they might be breaking up tonight.
* * *
Emma stared inside her refrigerator, her mood as grim as her dinner choices. She didn’t feel like cooking, and one of the perks of being single was that she didn’t have to. If she wanted to eat cold cereal for every meal, she could.
But she didn’t necessarily want to. All she wanted to do was curb the hunger and go to bed. After standing on her feet all day at the café, she was beyond exhausted.
Cereal it is.
Emma grabbed a carton of milk and carried it to the counter before grabbing a box of Lucky Charms, a bowl, and a spoon. She poured a healthy serving of sugary, marshmallow-laden cereal and then twisted the cap off the milk carton and began to pour, stopping when she heard the doorbell. She wasn’t expecting visitors tonight.
Per usual, her faithful guard dog stormed the front of the house.
Emma moved much more slowly, leaving her dinner at the counter and lamenting that it would probably be soggy by the time she returned. She walked to the door to peek through the peephole, and her breath caught the same way it did every time she saw Jack.
The doorbell rang again, and this time Emma heard Jack’s voice. “Emma, it’s just Jack.”
She still didn’t move.
“Em, I know you’re there. Your car is in the driveway.”
She could keep pretending. For all he knew, she was taking a hot bath right now. Barnaby lifted on his back legs and started scratching at the door. “Fine.” Emma gathered her wits and opened the door. “I was going to answer. I was just making sure you weren’t someone selling vacuum cleaners. I have a vacuum cleaner.”
Jack offered a silly grin and raised both hands. “Not a salesperson.”
She glanced beyond him toward his truck. “Where’s Sam?”
Jack followed her gaze for a moment and then returned his eyes to her. “My nephew is a skateboarder. Soon as I parked in your driveway, he grabbed his board and headed down your street. He’ll be around.”
Emma continued to block the doorway. “And why are you here?”
“I have a proposition for you.”
“Another one?” She lifted her brows. “I’ve already agreed to one proposition with you this week.”
Jack seemed to pull in a deep breath, and something in his eyes told Emma he was nervous. She stepped back and gestured for him to come inside. “Come on in.”
“I hope I didn’t interrupt anything,” Jack said as he followed her and Barnaby down the hall toward the open kitchen.
“Just soggy cereal. Want some?” she asked.
Jack inspected the box of Lucky Charms and her bowl on the counter. “Breakfast for dinner has always been my favorite. But I’ll pass tonight. Thanks.” He pulled out a stool and sat, folding his arms over his broad chest, which stretched the fabric of his T-shirt.
Needing distance, Emma leaned against the counter, mimicking his stance by folding her arms across her chest as well. “Okay, what’s your proposition?”
He looked down at the floor for a moment, and she sensed his nervousness again. “Well, there’s no spot available in the calendar for this summer.”
She felt her heart drop as she plopped onto the other kitchen stool. “I see.”
He looked at her. “But I made a promise to you, and I intend to keep it.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time you broke a promise to me.” She cringed on the inside as soon as she said it. She kept promising herself to leave prom night in the past, but she couldn’t seem to help herself.
Jack gave a small nod. “Fair enough.”
“It’s not fair. I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean to bring that up. You were saying?”