Page 6 of Falling For Us Again

Just then, the café door swings open, and to my shock, in walks Jenna Goldberg, the very woman we were discussing.

I’d recognize those haunting blue eyes and silky blonde hair anywhere. Her hair flows past her shoulders now, longer than it was back in the day.

My chest tightens as she steps inside, her head held high with that same air of untouchability she wore in high school, even when everything around her was falling apart. She’s all legs and curves now, wearing a short, flowing dress that highlights her beauty and stirs long-buried feelings within me.

When she looks up, our eyes meet, and her heart-shaped lips part slightly with surprise. Even after all these years, she maintains that iron control over her emotions, blinking away as if she hadn’t seen me.

Without missing a beat, she strides to the counter.

“Hello,” she says, her voice soft and deceptively sweet. “I’d like two of these potted plants, an espresso, and some muffins, please.”

Maggie quickly gives instructions to Gia and Timmy in the kitchen before turning to attend to Jenna. Her eyes widen as she recognizes her.

“Jenna Goldberg?” She says in disbelief, her eyes darting over to me. I walk over to the counter.

“Yes. I'm sorry, do I know you?” Jenna says, peering at Maggie as if trying to recall who she is.

Maggie dusts off her hands on her apron, and I walk behind the counter to help her untie it. Jenna looks away, a bored expression on her face.

“Yeah, we went to high school together.”

Jenna gives a small smile. “I’m sorry you don’t look familiar.”

“No worries, welcome back. How long has it been?” Maggie says as she writes down her order. “Two pots of plant, an espresso, and muffins, right?”

“It’s been ten years. She left town on her eighteenth birthday.” I say, looking at her.

Jenna doesn't look at me, pretending to treat me like I’m not there. She has no right to be upset here. If there’s anyone who should be upset, that person is me.

“Dylan, can you help get the plants?” Maggie asks.

“Sure.”

Maggie gets busy preparing Jenna’s order while she walks to a nearby table to take a seat. I follow, sitting on the chair next to her, and she raises an eyebrow at me.

“What kind of plant do you want?”

“Peacock.”

I lean on the table. “So, you breeze into town after ten years, and we’re just going to act like we don't know each other?”

“I think it’s best, don’t you?” Her blue eyes meet mine, and her lips part in the same familiar way when she’s nervous.

“I suppose it is.” I lean back into the chair, my eyes taking her in. “You look well. Life has been good to you.”

“It has.”

Her hands twist the napkin on the table, and I know that behind that seemingly aloof facade are frayed nerves.

“This is a nice café. I don’t remember it from before.”

“It wasn’t there before. And it’s mine.”

I can see the surprise in her eyes. “You've always wanted this. Congratulations.”

Her words are like daggers to my chest because they reminded me of the day I told her about my dream of owning a cafe in town.

“Thanks. I hear you're an author now. Writing stories about escaping. Fitting for you.”

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