to fall off.” She groaned in frustration. “I’m being really morbid on my birthday, aren’t I? It’s just, I’m not finished yet. There are still things I want to do.”
Jack felt an ache in his chest as she spoke. “What things?”
She shrugged, swiping a lock of hair behind her ear. “I don’t know. I haven’t traveled the world or climbed to the top of a mountain. I haven’t gone skinny-dipping in Silver Lake.” Her cheeks blushed lightly. “I don’t want to, that’s illegal. But my friends went in high school on a dare, and I was too chicken.”
“I remember hearing about that,” he said with a grin.
Something shifted in her gaze. “I also never went to prom.”
Those words shot little barbs into his heart. He guessed that’s what she’d intended.
Emma shook her head. “You see? I’m no fun to be around tonight, which is why I decided to spend my birthday alone. I sound like I’m whining into my drink completely sober. Can you imagine if I’d gone to the Tipsy Tavern with the girls?” Emma grabbed one of the chocolate Kisses and slid it in front of Jack.
“Sharing your cake with me?” he teased, hoping to lighten the mood.
“You’re listening to my sob story so you’ve earned it.”
Instead of reaching for the Kiss, Jack reached for his glass of juice and held it up. “A toast.”
Emma’s lips parted. She hesitated before lifting her glass to meet his. “Okay. To what?”
“To you,” he said, tapping his glass against Emma’s. Barnaby rose for the occasion and offered a soft bark, adding to the toast. “I hope the next year brings all your heart’s desires, Em. You deserve the best of everything.”
He held her gaze for a long moment, and then they both took a sip of their juice. Some part of him wished that he was on that list of her heart’s desires, but he’d messed up his chance with her. And he didn’t think he’d ever get another shot.
* * *
The next morning, Emma rolled toward her alarm clock as it shrieked just out of arm’s reach. With a groan, she lifted halfway off the bed and whacked the button before collapsing back against her mattress. She felt hungover, even though she’d only had apple juice last night.
With Jack.
Her eyes popped open as she remembered the details of what had happened hours before. She’d been whiny and silly and…he’d been understanding and sweet. They’d talked for at least an hour before he’d gotten up to leave. Then she’d walked him to the door and said good night within a breath of asking him to stay longer.
Emma got up and headed down the hall to start the coffee maker. “Good morning, Barnaby,” she said as the coffee brewed. She freshened his food and water bowls and then hurried back down the hall to shower and get dressed. When she was done, she prepared her first cup of coffee to go, unlocked Barnaby’s doggie door so he could have free rein in her backyard during the day, and drove to the Sweetwater Café.
When she finally reached the store’s front door to flip the OPEN sign, her first customer was already standing on the sidewalk outside.
“Jack,” she said, opening the door for him.
“Happy—”
She held up a finger. Her birthday was over.
“I was just going to wish you a happy July,” he said, giving her a wink.
“Right.” She nodded. “What are you doing here?”
He walked in, carrying a shoebox and wearing an olive-green baseball cap with an SS embroidered on the front for Sweetwater Springs. She had one in lavender in her own closet. “Looks like I’m the first one here.”
“Looks like. Your usual?” she asked as she walked behind the counter.
He grinned. “Back to normal, I see.”
“Good thing you only turn thirty once.” She turned to prepare his coffee the way he liked it. Her mental Rolodex may have been off yesterday, but it was working just fine today. She added enough sweetener to his coffee to move it more to the category of dessert than a beverage. Then she pressed a lid on the top and slid it toward him.
“Thanks.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. Then he handed over his debit card.
“What’s in the box?” she asked as she zipped the card through the reader and handed it back.
Jack shoved his wallet in his pocket and reached for his drink. “It’s for you. I stopped by my mom’s after I left your place last night. This