Page 46 of Of Literature and Lattes
She absorbed his comment with a light in her eyes that intrigued him, but also left him feeling exposed. After all, she was only in town until Labor Day, if that, and was only helping him to repay Lexi.
But maybe he could change that.
“Speaking of positive, did you see the Winsome paper today? There was an ad for the Chamber of Commerce job. Executive Director. It hasn’t been filled yet.” He lifted his tone in question.
She chuffed. “Please. I’m hardly qualified for that, and I just told you, no one in my family is really happy with me right now.”
“Of course you’re qualified for that job. The Chamber of Commerce helps local businesses and that’s pretty much what you’re already doing. And as for your family, just because they’re upset doesn’t mean they’re not happy you’re home.”
At her skeptical look, he inched his stool closer to hers. “Can I be honest with you?” He took a deep breath and, at her nod, continued. “You’re making a mistake. We haven’t talked about this, and now is not the time, and we don’t know each other well, but I have to say it... My parents died when I was ten, Alyssa, and if I could have even one more conversation with them, I’d give anything for those few words. I moved here so my daughter would never say that about me. So that she’d remember my face, my laugh, our fun times together, and our fights. And maybe, mostly for the fights. I think those memories, recognizing our love held past whatever we fought about, will give her security as she grows up.”
Alyssa’s eyes widened. Her lips parted, but it took a few moments before words escaped. “I’m sorry.”
He nodded—and felt a rush of gratitude that Lexi chose that moment to pounce on them.
“You found each other... I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve got us a table in the back corner and food is on the way. I need a moment to wrap things up in the kitchen, but we’re finally slowing down.” She pointed to the back of the restaurant. “Head back to the last booth on the right. You can’t miss it.”
Jeremy stood and gestured for Alyssa to lead the way. As she stepped in front of him, she reached behind and snagged his hand within her own. She squeezed and didn’t let go as she wove through the tables. She wasn’t sure how he felt about her, but she knew how she felt: she wasn’t alone.
He held on tight.
She stopped suddenly and he bumped into her back. She gestured to the table and watched his eyes light with wonder. The six-top was piled high with food—pasta, meats, salads, calamari, paté...
“Isn’t it only the four of us?” she asked.
He laughed. “I thought so.”
Alyssa touched the bouquet as she scooted around the horseshoe-shaped booth. “She is so good. Lexi never forgets anything... Tulips are my favorite flower.”
Jeremy dropped into the booth and slid next to her. “They’re both like that. Liam will call me up with ideas, reassurance, random stuff about something I mentioned to him or something he just thinks I need to know.”
“He does that for me too. Lexi’s always done that.”
“You two really are close.”
Alyssa popped an olive into her mouth. “Family. I think she was the favorite daughter some days.” She held up a hand. “I’m not being entirely serious, but she and my mom had a much easier relationship during high school.”
Alyssa paused.
“What?”
“After what you said about your parents... My ‘war’”—she made air quotes, beginning to understand how foolish it all sounded—“has probably hurt Lexi too. More than I was willing to recognize. She lost her second mom the day I threw mine away, and while my brother could do what he wanted, Lexi kinda had to stand by me no matter how she felt.”
“It’s going to be okay,” he whispered.
She leaned closer to him. “I love that you believe that.”
There were only a couple inches between them, and she wondered if he’d close it. She felt her gaze drop from his eyes to his lips and knew he caught it too. It brought a little lift to those lips as they descended upon hers. The kiss lasted less than a few heartbeats, but length, she thought as he leaned back and looked into her eyes again, was not the only measure of a first kiss. In fact, she determined, if you measured it by another metric—by the longing it left in its wake—this one blew every other first kiss away.
“What’s that smile for?” he whispered.
“Nothing other than I liked that very much.”
“Me too.”
Alyssa tilted her chin across the table. Lexi and Liam were working their way toward them, stopping for short meet and greets on their way—shaking a hand here, topping off a wineglass there.
“They really do it right, don’t they?” Jeremy watched them too.
