Page 55 of A Table for Two
“No. I just stopped in for a quick bite before I head back to the office. I have to prepare for a couple of cases going to court.”
Gabriel gestured to the chair across from him. “You’re welcome to join me, if you’re eating in.”
Jon pulled out the chair and sat. “Thanks.” The server came to take his order almost immediately. “So, have you and Serenity done any more food battles?”
Gabriel chuckled and wished their battles were as simple as food. “No. I think I’m going to just concede that Serenity is the better cook.”
“I don’t blame you. She could quit nursing, open up her own restaurant, and be as successful as this place.” The server returned and placed a glass of lemonade in front of Jon. “Thanks.”
“Probably, but I think she loves nursing more.” He recalled how she’d comforted the fussy baby in the doctor’s office. The woman had a way about her unlike anything he’d ever seen, and it was one of the reasons he found it hard to stay away. “Have you been to a supper club dinner since then?”
Jon took a long drink of his lemonade. “No, but not because Terri hasn’t asked. My hours of late have been crazy, but then hers have, too.”
Gabriel thought he heard something in Jon’s voice, but he didn’t know the man well enough to pry. “Hopefully, they’ll slow down so you two can make it to one soon.”
He toasted Gabriel with his glass. “We’ll see.”
Once their food arrived, the two men conversed about sports, politics, and just about every other subject. Gabriel found out that Jon and Terri had moved to town two years ago from Los Angeles. “How do you like living here?”
“It took some getting used to, that’s for sure,” Jon said with a little laugh. “It’s not so bad, and I’m close enough to the Bay to get my fix when I need it. I still miss LA, but the promotion alone was worth the move.”
Gabriel nodded. Yes, San Francisco, Oakland, and Napa weren’t too far away, and he could experience everything he enjoyed back home. Yet it still hadn’t swayed him completely. He wouldn’t mind visiting, especially if it meant he’d see Serenity, but living here forever? Yeah. No.Staying here would mean seeing Serenity every day, not just occasionally, and it’s not like you’re missing anything in Atlanta,an inner voice chimed. He ignored it and continued eating.
After finishing their lunch and settling the bill, Gabriel and Jon went their separate ways. Gabriel stopped to get ice cream, then drove home. He scanned the front yard and noticed the grass needed to be cut. Almost immediately, his gaze strayed to Serenity’s yard. From the look of it, the landscaping company had continued to drop the ball. He shook his head and went inside to change.
It took him almost two hours to cut his front and back yard and Serenity’s front. He’d just finished trimming the edges when her car pulled into the driveway. Every reason he needed to keep his distance faded the moment she stepped out. His gaze made a slow tour down her body and back up. The sight of her beautiful, toned legs in her shorts conjured up more memories of their weekend, and it was all he could do not to haul her into his arms and reacquaint himself with the sweetness of her kiss. For a moment, they stood there awkwardly. “Hey.”
“Hey, yourself. Thanks for doing the yard.” Serenity glanced around. “It looks really good.”
“You’re welcome. How was your week?”
“Good. Yours?”
“Busy. I’ve been working overtime to get this program done.”
“Oh. I hope you can get it done.” She popped the trunk and removed two grocery bags.
Gabriel rushed over. “Do you need help?”
“I’ve got it. Thanks,” she said quickly.
He moved back. For two people who had been enjoying each other’s company over the past several weeks, they were now behaving like strangers. It made him wonder if she had any regrets. “Supper club tonight?” Gabriel asked, pointing to the bags.
“Yep. I should probably get started. Everyone will be here in an hour.”
Gabriel waited for her to issue an invitation, but she didn’t. He didn’t know whether to be disappointed or not. “I won’t keep you. Enjoy your evening.”
“You, too. And thanks, again, for doing my yard. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem.” He stood there and watched the sway of her hips as she started up the driveway to her garage. It wasn’t until she lowered the door that he resumed his task. As much as he should stay away from her, he couldn’t. The casual relationship they’d agreed to seemed to be turning into something completely unexpected. Gabriel was falling fast, and he had no idea what to do about it.
***
Serenity placed the bags on the kitchen counter, then braced her hands over it and lowered her head. She figured not seeing Gabriel over the past week would give her time and space to put their relationship firmly in the casual friends-with-benefits category. But two minutes in his presence was all it took for everything she had begun to feel for him to come rushing to the forefront. It didn’t help that he kept doing nice things for her, like mowing her yard. Serenity thought about inviting him to dinner but nixed the idea. However, she didn’t know how long she could keep him at a distance because she truly enjoyed his company. Shaking herself, she emptied the groceries and got started on the meal she’d planned to prepare.
An hour later, Terri and Natasha arrived. Before the greetings were complete, Dana rang the bell. Serenity greeted her with a sisterly hug. “Hey, girl. Come on in. You look tired.”
The women followed her to the kitchen, and Dana said, “I am. It seemed like every person in town brought their cars in. Then I had two piano lessons this afternoon. I’m thinking about making the lessons strictly for children and teens.”
