Page 75 of Let Leaves Lay Where They Fall

Chapter 25

Gesture

“Well.” Jamie slaps his phone, screen down, onto the kitchen island. He doesn’t even want to look at the device of doom. “That was fun while it lasted.”

Andrew twists in his seat, pausing the mid-day courtroom reality show. His guilty pleasure. “What?” His face drops.

“He is only in town for a few months. It’s done.” Jamie swings the fridge door open. This calls for comfort calories.

“Wait. What’s going on?” He rises on both knees, draped over the back of the sofa.

Jamie throws his hands in the air. “Nathan’s just here on a temp contract with work. He’ll be gone in a matter of weeks.”

“Jamie—baby.” Andrew holds his head in the palm of his hand. “Just have fun while he’s here. You don’t know what can or will happen.”

Jamie lifts his shoulders, setting a package of turkey slices, cheese and a squeeze bottle of mustard on the butcher block. “What happens when he leaves? After I’ve gone too deep in the feelings I’m already feeling?” He gathers a loaf of bread from the top of the fridge.

“Let leaves lay where they fall.” Andrew looks like he’s making perfect sense.

“What?” The mustard makes crude noises being expressed onto slices of bread.

“It’s something my grandmother used to say.” He rises from the sofa and walks around, standing opposite Jamie at the island. “In the autumn, when the leaves fall off the trees. You let them be.” He grabs a slice of turkey and shoves it in his mouth. “Over the winter, they protect the soil and nourish it.” Chewing. “So that in the spring, the grass and flowers can bloom at their best.” He reaches for the cheese.

Jamie closes his teeth around the corner of his sandwich. Staring out the window, trying to make sense of the sage’s wisdom. Meeting Andrew's eyes again. “Hmm.” Another bite. Food for thought.

“You need to relax. You don’t know what will happen.” Sucking the tips of his fingers clean. “You like him, don’t you?

Jamie nods. Cheeks full of turkey and cheese sandwich mush. His brows cave over puppy eyes. “A lot.” He covers his mouth to keep from launching mush spittle.

“Then just keep going. Enjoy yourself.” Andrew dances around the Island, wrapping his arm over Jamie’s shoulders. “Stop putting expectations on things and just let yourself enjoy them for as long as you can.” He kisses his cheek. “The way that man looks at you as if you made the stars in the sky.” He huffs. “Don’t be foolish.”

Jamie swallows the mouthful of mush and his hang ups. “I know you’re right.” He’s interrupted.

“Yes. I am.” He steps back, staring Jamie in the eyes with gloat all over his chiseled face.

***

Jamie bursts through the kitchen doors. Hands full of dirty dishes, skating toward the sinks to deposit them, so Eli doesn’t run out of work. Poor kid looks exhausted at life already.

The restaurant is packed, and the entire staff are floating around like performers at the ice capades. Graceful double axels as they maneuver around each other and between tables. Gliding across the floor, carrying trays of entrees and cocktails. Greeting guests with flair as they come and go. Their cheeks are rosy from the commotion of the dinner rush. The uniforms could use a little more razzle dazzle but doesn’t stop them from putting on a spectacular show.

Tips are flowing as generously as Sebastian’s boozy pours. He knows how to charm customers into opening their wallets, and their legs.

When the chaos finally eases and the last table clears out, Colin taps Jamie on the shoulder. He turns to the sparkly bleached twink pointing out the windows at the front of the restaurant.

“What’s the matter?”

“Look.” He’s grinning. “You have a visitor.”

Jamie steps around the table. Eyes following Colin’s outstretched arm, past his electric blue acrylic nail and out the window.

Across the way, the glow of a streetlamp casts down on Nathan. Dressed in a crisp white button up, dark denim and black coat. Holding a massive bouquet of wildflowers and leaning nervously against his Jeep. Fussing to find the right stance for presenting himself. He adjusts his lapel and fumbles with the floral arrangement. Burying his nose in a daisy. Noticing he’s being watched by the entire crew inside. He waves.

“If you don’t get your ass out there. I will.” Sebastian squeezes the back of Jamie’s bicep, pushing him toward the door.

He pulls the tie of his apron loose, lifts it overhead and drops it on the cluttered table. Eyes fixed on the dark Prince under the golden spotlight. Stepping toward the door and gliding through. He pauses, toes hanging off the edge of the sidewalk. Drums are beating in his chest. He glides across the pavement.

Nathan presents the bouquet. His hazel eyes, dark chocolate curls and butterscotch skin aglow.

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