Page 40 of Stay for Me
Magnolia brings the glasses of lemonade and then takes our order. I try not to seek out glimpses of him over my menu, but I fail. I want just one more look at him. His dark brown hair is pushed to the side, slightly curling at the ends, but his eyes? God, they’re magnificent. The green is so light in the middle and darkens as it goes out to a thick black band that keeps the shape.
Jacob looks up, and I feel the heat rise in my cheeks. Damn it. He caught me.
I clear my throat and give Magnolia my order. “I’ll have the grilled cheese and a pickle, please.”
“Our grilled cheese is one of the best.”
I smile. “It’s my favorite.”
Jacob’s eyes don’t leave me. “I’ll have the same.” He hands the menu over to her.
“I’ll get that right out. I have to say, I am so glad we met,” she informs me. “If you ever want to know about Luke as a teenager, I’d be happy to share stories.”
I break our stare, not wanting to be rude to Magnolia while also needing to calm my racing heart. “That’s really nice of you.”
“It’s nothing really. I never knew that it was redheads he was attracted to. I would’ve dyed my hair if that were common knowledge.”
If I were drinking something, I would’ve choked.
Jacob smoothly steps in. “Magnolia, we’re on a time crunch here so if you could get our meals out that would be great.”
“Sure thing,Navigator.” It comes out like a growl.
I hold in a laugh and cover my face with my menu that she didn’t take from me.
“Not funny.”
I lower it slightly. “It is, though. You might have your own baby mama if you’re not careful.”
“She’s a fucking mess. Half the people in this town are, but being out of here for nine years has been a gift.”
“Why did you never return?”
“There aren’t many movie career opportunities here. Plus, this town holds a lot of memories I have tried to forget.”
I understand that all too well. “It seems you have great brothers.”
He takes a sip of his drink. “We’re a close group and have been through a lot together.”
“I always wanted a big family. I wished for it.”
“It has its benefits, but then again, so does being an only child.”
I nod while playing with the straw. “I always knew that I wanted to have at least two kids.”
“You had them young.”
“It wasn’t part of my plan,” I admit. “I wasreallyyoung and not prepared, but it worked out. Luke was the best mistake I ever made, that’s what I used to tell him.”
He smiles. “It sounds sweet in a weird way.”
“We were weird. I was this gangly redhead who was desperate for a night of fun after my first year of college. I had never really had a boyfriend, but I wanted to just let loose.”
“That’s how you guys met? At a party?”
I nod, remembering it. “It was total luck that we bumped into each other. My roommate dressed me in one of her outfits that made it look like I had boobs. She did my hair and makeup. We were both standing there, started talking, and then we were making out.”
“Ahh, and one thing led to another?”
