Page 17 of Forever and Other Lies

“Yeah, so?”

“So, your mom always cooks a feast. One you never miss!”

He lowered the spoon, setting it in the steaming bowl. How he wished there was another restaurant in town. Sure, there was the steak house by the river. However, he had dated the chef. More like they went on one date, and he stood her up for the second. Apparently, she was still holding a grudge. Last time he’d been there, he ordered a medium rare T-bone and a baked potato. The steak had been burnt crispy and the potato was undercooked. “Compliments of the chef,” the server had smugly told him when she set his plate in front of him.

He glared up at Jayna. “For someone who claims to have zero interest in me, you sure are keeping close tabs.”

She pulled out a chair, and his eyebrows shot up. “Oh, please sit down. Or don’t! I was enjoying my stew and beer.”

“Don’t let me stop you,” Jayna gave him a toothy smile.

“You’re ruining my appetite.”

“I didn’t want to mention it, but you’re getting pudgy around the middle. It probably wouldn’t hurt to skip a meal and lay off the beer.”

His jaw clenched. “I am not!”

Setting her elbows on the table, she placed her chin on a closed fist, staring at him. Did the woman never blink? It was creepy.

“What?” he used his best grumpy old man voice.

“Why aren’t you at home with the rest of your family?”

“No reason. I just wanted some alone time.” He emphasized the word alone.

“I heard Tommy’s home. How is he doing?” Jayna failed to catch his not-so-subtle hint to leave.

“He’s doing okay,” he answered evasively.

“Kylie mentioned Leighton was invited to dinner tonight.” Jayna lifted her chin and then slapped her hands against the table. “Oh, that’s why you’re here!”

“Why would that be the reason?”

She scoffed loudly. “Come on Derek, it’s painfully obvious that you’re hung up on her.”

“I am NOT. Ivy, can I have a takeout container and my bill, please?” he asked the server. What was painfully obvious was that Jayna was a pain in his ass.

Chapter 7

It was painfully obvious that Derek was still hung up on Leighton. Jayna wasn’t quite sure why it bothered her. It just did.

Because it was wrong, that was why!

Leighton was Tommy’s girl. His brother’s girl! Did the man have no loyalty? Or morals?

She heaved a heavy sigh. When had she developed a moral compass, or cared what others were doing? Was she becoming one of the small-town busybodies who always poked their nose into everyone else’s business?

Damn, she hoped not. But she was on the fast track to becoming a bitter old maid. Did people still call single, childless women old maids? Whatever the term was now, she felt like she was staring it straight in the eye.

The door chimes jangled loudly as she pushed open the heavy metal door of the hair salon.

“Hey, Nessa. I need more shampoo.” Jayna stepped behind the counter and helped herself to a bottle from the shelf. Vanessa was pulling a straightening iron through a blonde woman’s hair. “Hey, Piper. Wow, that’s quite the sexy cut.”

Piper glanced over her shoulder, eyes huge and panicked.

The phone rang and Jayna answered it. “Vanessa’s Scissory. You grow it, we mow it.”

“Jayna!” Vanessa moaned from behind her.

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