Page 4 of A Possibility of an Unexpected Second Chance

Chase nudged Hayden’s arm. “How’s your brother’s business going?”

“Fantastic.” Nicholas had opened a specialty cupcake shop in L.A. last year. “He’s been swamped with orders. I think word is getting out.”

“That’s great. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that you’ve been bragging about his baking skills to all the top stars in Hollywood for the past year.” Chase grinned at him. He was the kind of guy everyone liked. Down to earth. And he seemed to care about everyone.

“Have I?” Hayden feigned innocence. “I didn’t realize.”

Chase laughed. “You’re not wrong, though. I bought some lemon raspberry cupcakes for Andie’s birthday, and they were amazing. Your brother is a wizard.”

Hayden shook his head. “Don’t call him that. He’ll get cocky. He’s just a druid.”

Chase gave him a strange look.

“You must not play D&D,” Hayden mumbled.

“Hey, you still do impressions?” Chase didn’t wait for an answer. “Listen to this, everyone. Hayden can do the best James Earl Jones. Go on, do it.”

All conversation paused while everyone at the table stared at him. Thanks, Chase. Hayden lowered his voice and channeled his best Mufasa, reciting one of the famous lines fromThe Lion King.

Cheers erupted when he was done. Brent clapped him on the back. “Great impression! Do you do anyone else?”

This began fifteen minutes of Hayden showing off his oddball talent. Or, rather, showing everyone what a loser he’d been in high school. While everyone else was out partying on Friday nights, he was perfecting his Sean Connery and Jimmy Stewart. He was fairly decent at it, though, if he did say so himself, and everyone seemed impressed when he was done.

“I didn’t know you could do impressions.” Lana’s voice came after the rest of the table went back to their other conversations.

Hayden turned, surprised to see Brent’s empty chair. When had he left for the bathroom? Lana’s gaze was guarded, but not icy, so he nodded and gave her a smile. “Yeah, I don’t like to tell too many people, or things like this happen.”

She smiled. “You shouldn’t be so self-conscious.”

Lana could always read him so well. He didn’t like being the center of attention. It warmed him to think that even after all these years she could sense that.

“You’re good,” Lana said. “Where did you learn?”

His heart skipped a beat. Was Lana actually going to carry on a conversation with him? Maybe being on the same set wasn’t going to be horrible. Maybe they could re-connect a little. He’d missed her.

But before he could answer, Gail patted Lana’s hand. “Do you want my rice? I think I’m too full to eat it, and I know how much you like this kind.”

Lana turned from him to discuss the rice situation with her mother. Hayden sighed and picked up his water glass. So much for re-connecting.

Chase leaned over and lowered his voice. “You better watch out. You don’t have a good poker face.”

Hayden raised his eyebrows. “What?”

“Everyone can see exactly what you’re thinking.”

“And what am I thinking?”

“That you want her back.” Chase gave him a smug look. “And now you’re shocked that I knew that.”

Hayden swallowed, but it didn’t keep the lump from forming in his throat. He glanced at Lana to make sure she was still talking with her mother. “I don’t think now is a great time to be talking about this,” he whispered.

“It’s fine. She’s not listening. And she probably already knows anyway. Like I said…” Chase made a circle motion around his face. “You’re an open book.”

Brent came back from the bathroom and sat back down. Hayden made sure his voice was low enough no one else could hear. “Well, for your information, I don’t want her back. I just want to smooth things over between us. You know, so it’s not awkward.”

Chase slowly nodded. “Right.”

“Seriously. I’m not looking to start anything with her.”

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