Page 30 of You Had Me at Merlot

Leighton was caught. Because it was going to happen whether either of them wanted it to or not. “It’s not what I want, but that’s the plan. The lease buyout will be more than generous, and you will be compensated. You can pick out a fantastic new location, maybe even better than the one you have now.” It was a stretch, and Leighton damn well knew it.

Jamie closed her eyes and stayed just like that, absorbing whathad to be the worst kind of blow. It was clear this was all news to her. When she raised her face, her eyes carried nothing but sadness. “We all thought the store would likely go in three blocks from here. My best friend Clarissa, who you met at the party, has been terrified they’d lose their clothing store, when it was me all along.” She pressed her fingers to her eyes. Leighton was paralyzed. There were no helpful words. She could point out the money again, but for Jamie this seemed to be so much bigger than finances.

“You can reopen. You have to.”

“Yep. Thank you. When will I be hearing officially?”

“Maybe a couple of weeks. I’m really sorry. This isn’t at all how I—”

“Let’s not, okay?” Her smile was tight. Their familiarity, their connection, was nowhere in sight. Two strangers at a table in Chelsea.

Leighton’s mind clipped along in chaos, trying to save a sinking ship and fast. This was all going sideways. “I get that you’re upset. With me. With the circumstances. But I need to make one thing very clear. Every moment between us was real, and that’s the part that I need to—”

“No. It wasn’t, Leighton. How could it be? It was all bullshit, built on lies, and a secret I still don’t even understand the depth of because this information is so new and actually horrific. Morrow and Associates?” She shook her head and stood. “How would I ever in a million years trust you again? You’re a liar. Please don’t call me. Please don’t come by. I don’t want to see you. If Carrington’s needs to contact me, tell them to send someone else, for God’s sake.”

Defeat overwhelmed. Grief engulfed her almost instantly, and her stomach turned over, nauseous. “Jamie, I’m so sorry.” It was all Leighton had to offer. She hoped the words meant something but understood the damage that had been done. All that was left to do was quietly leave the bar, which she did. The only sign of respect she could offer at this point was to honor Jamie’s wishes.

When she landed outside on the sidewalk, she couldn’t resist a last look. Her heart wouldn’t allow her to walk away without one. And so, she watched through the glow in the window as Jamie busied herself behind the counter, pouring two glasses of wine and placing them on the counter, ready to be delivered to a waiting table. On her way, Jamienodded and flashed a smile to a customer who’d asked a question. On either side of that smile, she looked devastated as she moved through the room. Leighton had done that, and she hated herself for it.

* * *

The day had been a runaway train that had run right over Jamie when she hadn’t been looking. Still shell-shocked, she hadn’t gone home at her normal time. She didn’t want to leave the bar. In a strange sense, she found comfort within its four walls, her most prized possession now under attack. She locked the door at ten p.m., having worked well over twelve hours, and followed with a flip of the light switch, bringing the bar to near darkness. The safety lights lit her way back to the counter as she poured herself a glass of California cab and then took a seat at a table by the window. The day had started off so wonderfully. She’d practically skipped her way through the early hours, laughing with customers, living in the excitement of her time with Leighton and all that was ahead for them. Hell, she’d been thinking about vacation destinations, and exchanging flirty texts in her head as she made a lavender latte for Jim, who worked as a chocolatier at the fudge shop across the street.

“Your day seems like it’s going well,” Jim said, as she handed him his drink just after lunch. He’d hit on her once upon a time, but after she explained that she didn’t date men, he’d become a truly nice acquaintance.

“It’s definitely one of my better ones. I hope yours is just as bright.”

He grinned and lifted his drink. “It’s always a little better once I swing by Bordeauxnuts. You all are just so cheerful in here.”

“How we like it. Come back tomorrow.” She raised a hand in farewell as he pushed open the door.

“It’s a deal.”

Clarissa, who swung by for an afternoon hug and gab session, not to be confused with her morning version, leaned her hip against the pickup counter. She’d arrived in enough time to hear a portion of the conversation. “James. I love this for you.” She smacked the counter and laughed in celebration. “It’s about damn time you got yours.”

She stretched her fingers. “I feel like I’m gliding all over the place. Am I gliding?”

“Your feet haven’t touched the ground all day.”

“Well, Leighton’s made me feel really special, and it’s been a long time since that’s happened. Plus, I’m a little obsessed with her.”

“Rightfully so.” Clarissa covered her heart with her hand and held it a moment. “I’m going to glide my way to work now, too, because I’m riding your high. Hey! Maybe we could double sometime.” Her mouth fell open, seemingly in love with the new thought. “I’m on date four with Tara, and it would be so much fun to be couple friends with you.”

“Couple friends! Yes! We could hit up that Italian place no one can get reservations to. Just let me get in a little more time with Leighton first. But that would be so much fun.”

Leo slid Clarissa’s standard afternoon blueberry latte between them and eased out of the conversation like a ninja. “I’m not listening in. I’m just dropping off.”

“You are so,” Jamie said, “and I don’t even mind.”

“We’re listening, too,” Lisa called over. She and Chun offered silent applause while the rest of her regulars smiled along. They’d become her cheering section, and she loved it.

Not long after Clarissa’s departure, the day had taken a turn.

She’d learned about Leighton first. Marvin had been combing through theTimesthe way he did every day during his lunch break. Midway through, Jamie caught him throwing strange looks her way. A look to her. A furrowed brow. A glance at his paper and back to her again with worry. Something was clearly making him uncomfortable.

“Hey, Marvin? Is there a question from the back of the class?” she called from the counter during a lull. She grinned and waited for his response, which was sure to be something very Marvin-like. Maybe the espresso machine was making a stranger noise than usual. He was quirky about sensory changes.

He swallowed. “What’s the name of the woman you’re dating, again?”

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