Page 34 of Let Leaves Lay Where They Fall

“Six months to Spring.” Jamie grumbles.

The two laugh together.

“So.” Jamie pours dark brew in a mug. Two sweeteners and a dollop of cream. “The guy from the Sanctuary was in the restaurant last night… On a date… with Mark Knowles.” He spins on his heels to catch Andrew's reaction.

Andrew’s eyes are huge. He swallows the swig he’d half ingested as the news hit.

“Yup.” Jamie slurps.

“Did you speak to him?”

“I had to wait on them!” He crunches his face, pressing his eyes shut. “I couldn’t look at him.”

“Did he say anything?” Andrew leans in on both elbows. Stirring his coffee with a fingertip and licking it clean.

“No.” Jamie takes a long swig from his mug. “He left a note in the bill fold.”

Andrew leans back on his stool. Folding arms across his chest. His brow arches and he bites his lip. Waiting for the story to continue.

“He apologized and wants to make it up to me.” Jamie rolls his eyes and lifts his shoulders for show, but studies Andrew's face for a clue to what he should do.

Andrew taps an index finger on the counter and rakes a hand through his silvery maple waves. “What do you think about that?”

Jamie doesn’t know what to think. He just stares into Andrew’s sparkly blues, looking for the answer.

“Do you want to give him a second chance?”

Jamie shrugs again. “Oh! He gave me a fake name. He’s actually Nathan, not Dave.”

“Well, that’s odd.” Andrew’s brows squeeze together, and he’s lost in thought staring at his coffee. “It sounds like the guy is carrying a few red flags around?”

“Yea.” Jamie ponders. “It does seem messy, doesn’t it?” He’s been through enough disasters with broken men to recognize when a situation isn’t worth stepping in. At this age, who needs that bullshit?

“Listen to your instincts babe. The gut lets us know when bad things are afoot.”

“Mmm.” Jamie stares out the window, focused on a leaf dancing in circles on the roof of a house next door. “Why are the cute ones so chaotic?”

“We’ve all got our own junk kiddo. You’ve got to take care of YOU first.” Andrew puts his mug in the sink. Squeezing Jamie’s shoulder. “If you’re looking for my advice?” He pauses to gauge Jamie’s expression. “I’d probably steer clear of that one.”

“I think you’re right.”

“I’ve got to head to the shop. Are you working today?”

“Yes. I’m just on the lunch shift today.” Jamie pours the last of his coffee down the drain and rinses both mugs.

“I’ll make dinner.” Andrew lights up. “Any requests?”

“Surprise me.” Jamie flashes a warm smile.

Andrew twirls into his suede jacket and floats out the door, whistling a tune all the way down the stairwell.

Chapter 14

Burn

Nathan checks his phone over and over as the morning passes. Losing count of how many times. Waiting on a reply from Jamie. He works nights, maybe he sleeps late?

His lunch break comes at 10am. The hour gives him enough time to drive home, so he can take Mabel outside.

---