Jenna stepped out of her car, looking gorgeous as always. Her trademark flowy skirt swirled around her ankles, and a modest blouse accentuated her quiet beauty. But my stomach dropped as I noticed what I should’ve seen immediately. Her shoulders were drawn tight, her eyes darting nervously around the lot, so busy peering into the shadows that she hadn’t even seen me yet.
“Jenna.” I hurried toward her, and just like that, her tension melted away.
She smiled at me, her face radiant. “Hi,” she said shyly.
“Hi.” I leaned down and kissed her cheek, her skin like silk under my lips. “You look beautiful.”
Her gaze bounced between my eyes, my mouth, and my chest, and relief and hope filled me—not only didn’t she seem so nervous anymore, she looked like she might be thinking about me the same way I was thinking about her.
We walked side by side to the restaurant and it hit me again how tiny she was. If I wrapped my arm around her shouldersand held her against my side like I itched to do, she’d be armpit high. I was freshly showered, but maybe I’d get a better smelling deodorant tomorrow.
“Hello, welcome to The Tavern. Table for two?” the hostess said.
I scanned the restaurant for the table I wanted. “Is that booth in the corner available?”
She glanced where I pointed. “Sure thing.” Grabbing two menus, she led us over, and I thanked her as I took them, dismissing her before she lingered. I didn’t want Jenna to feel rushed. “I’m going to sit here.” I gestured to the seat with its back to the wall. “Would you like to sit next to me or across from me?”
“I’ll sit here,” Jenna said as she slid into the opposite seat. “Thank you.” She flashed me a heartfelt smile, and my chest warmed with pride that not only did she trust me to have her back, but she also seemed to recognize the depth behind that simple question. This may be our first date, but we already knew each other.
“How was your day?” I asked once we were settled.
Her eyes flickered to me before dropping to the table. “Good, just a regular day at work. Nothing exciting. What about you? How was your day off?”
“It was good, thanks. I went for an early morning run with Dylan, Ryan, and Brady, then spent most of the afternoon sanding my back deck. I’m trying to finish it before summer.”
“How’s Dylan doing? Do you think he’ll be okay going back to work?”
“Yeah, he’s more than ready—physically and mentally.”
She met my eyes, her concern for our friends easy to see. “I hope so. Juliette’s nervous.”
The waitress came to take our orders, and we both declined any drinks besides the water we already had. Jenna ordered acheeseburger with a side of roasted broccoli, and I ordered a whisky burger with a side salad.
We talked about our friends and work for a while, then Jenna asked about my deck. “Did you add a new deck or are you just fixing it up?”
“There was just a small cement patio before. I built a deck big enough to hold a barbecue and a table and chairs. Once that’s done, I’m going to clear an area on the other side of the yard for a fire pit.”
“That sounds great. The guys will be following you home on your days off.”
Perfect opening. I held her gaze, needing her to know how sincere I was. “I hope you’ll come over, too. We can sit out by the fire and get to know each other better.”
Her beautiful blue eyes widened, looking like an ocean I’d happily drown in. “I’d love that.”
“Good. Me too.” I slid my hand across the table, palm up, hoping she’d take it.
Her eyes jumped between my hand and my face, and I worked to keep my expression soft and neutral. I couldn’t let her see the rage that simmered beneath the surface every time I let myself wonder why she didn’t like to be touched.
She placed her small hand in mine, and I closed mine gently, mesmerized by how delicate she felt, how small, yet how perfectly she fit. How I hoped one day soon I’d have the honor of holding more than her hand.
“Jenna, I’m going to be totally upfront with you. I like you. I’ve liked you for a long time. I thought we’d have plenty of time to slowly let our friendship develop into more, but then Dylan and Juliette broke up, and I was devastated. I thought I’d lost my chance with you.”
I watched her pulse pound in her delicate throat. “I feel the same way,” she said softly. “I’ve missed you these last few months.”
“I missed you too. Thank you for asking me out tonight. I’d love to take you on another date soon.”
“We’ve barely started this one,” she said with a laugh, and I couldn’t tell if she was kidding or if she really thought there was a possibility I wouldn’t still feel the same at the end of the night.
“Doesn’t matter. I already know I want more.”