Page 52 of The Second Chance Year

He’s watching me, lips twitching like he’s trying not to laugh. “Sure.”

Before Jacob can stand, José Luis hops off his stool by the bar and waves me away. “Relax, Sadie. I’ve got it.” He lifts the bin without any effort and carries it under one arm toward the kitchen.

Sighing, I go back to the table and drop into my chair.

“Come on,” Paige says, still laser-focused on the idea of Jacob performing. “Play something. It’ll be fun.”

“Paige,” he says quietly, but firmly. “No.”

By now, I’ve had it. I take a sip of my mostly full cocktail, then put it back on the table, deliberately setting it at an angle. And—Oops! It tips over, sending green tea–infused vodka and cucumber garnish splashing across the table and dripping to the floor. I jump to my feet again. “Oh my gosh, I’m such a klutz.”

Owen shakes his head and tosses a handful of cocktail napkins in my direction. Jacob stands and hurries over to the bar to grab a couple of dish towels. Back at the table, he slides up beside me and hands me one. We lean in to mop up the mess at the same time, and our shoulders collide. His cinnamony scent drifts over, and a flush makes its way across my cheeks. I grab the overturned glass and carry it into the kitchen.

Jacob follows with the wet towels. The door swings shut behind him, and the conversation out in the café fades to the background. “Thanks for the diversion,” he murmurs.

I shrug. “Paige didn’t seem like she wanted to let that one go.”

Jacob glances through the small round window on the kitchen door to where Paige and the others sit. “I get it that people find out I’m a musician and can’t imagine why Iwouldn’twant to get up and play for everyone.” He shakes his head. “It’s probably a little strange.”

I set the glass in the sink and turn to face him. “It’s not strange. You share your music with millions of people. You’re not obligated to personally get up and sing a Tom Petty song for them.”

He gazes across the narrow space at me, and behind his glasses, his eyes are dark and intense. “It means a lot that you understand.”

It feels like someone turned the oven to a thousand degrees. I look away and busy myself with stacking the clean baking sheets lying in the dish drainer. When I reach over my head to put them on a shelf above the sink, they start to slide. Before I can react, Jacob moves behind me, taking the pans from my hands and placing them neatly on the shelf. I spin around and find myself encircled by his arms, my face inches from his chest.

“Thanks.” My mouth is suddenly dry, and it comes out like a whisper.

He lowers his arms but doesn’t back up. “Is this another diversion?”

“A diversion from what?” But I know exactly what. From the way he makes me feel cold and then hot, solid and then liquid, like chocolate melting on the stove.

“Sadie,” he says in a low voice. “Can we talk about whathappened that night at your apartment? I don’t think I did a very good job of explaining myself.”

I stare at the buttons on his shirt, so I don’t have to look him in the eye. “I think you explained yourself pretty well.” We might have a physical attraction, but he made it clear, not once buttwice, that he’s not into me. “That night was a mistake. I’m not really sure why we need to rehash it.”

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you.” He blows out a frustrated breath. “ThatI’m sorry—”

“God, pleasestop.” I press my hands to my burning cheeks. “If you apologize for kissing me one more time, I’m going to scream.” Pushing past him, I head for the door.

“Sadie.” He whirls around and grabs my arm before I can escape. “I’m not saying I’m sorry I kissed you. I’m saying I’m sorry Istoppedkissing you.”

I freeze, and he slides his hand up to my shoulder, gently turning me so I face him. “Can we please talk about this?”

Before I can answer, the distant voices of Owen and his friends grow closer out in the café. Jacob lets go of me, and I hurry to the other side of the kitchen just as Owen pushes open the door with a handful of dishes.

He pauses, looking back and forth between me and Jacob. “Am I interrupting something?”

“No.” I lift an innocent shoulder. “Of course not.”

Owen’s brow furrows like he knows I’m lying. “Right, well, everyone’s heading out.” He glances in Jacob’s direction. “You coming? Paige is waiting for you.”

“Uh…” Jacob clears his throat. “I should stay and help clean up.”

“It’s fine,” José Luis says, breezing in from the back alley. “We’re almost done here. Sadie and I can finish up, and I’ll walk her home.”

“Great,” Owen says, his voice buoyant. “Thanks, man.” I’m not sure if he’s extra-chipper from the alcohol or because he’s trying to shut down whatever’s going on between me and Jacob. Maybe Jacob wasn’t wrong to consider how Owen would feel about the two of us getting involved. This could get as sticky as toffee pudding, and my brother would be stuck right in the middle.

I put on a bright smile. “Yeah, thanks, José Luis.”

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