Home is Where the Heart is(69)

Since Jordan’s departure from town, things were finally going back to the way they once were, despite his obvious presence in Jake’s life with his frequent phone calls, texts, and e-mails. Cassie was now free to move on with her life without the extra pressure she knew Jordan put on her heart.

Today was a good day too, preparing for a couple of functions she was baking cakes and cupcakes for. Her work certainly allowed for a great distraction in her personal life.

Later that morning, while fighting with the old coffee machine she was in desperate need of replacing as soon as she could afford to, Cassie was caught by surprise when the bells above the door jingled and in walked Jesse. She hadn’t talked to him since she cancelled their date the night Jake fell ill with appendicitis.

Chills were sent up and down Cassie’s arm as she tried not to notice Jesse walking toward her. She wondered if there was any bad blood between them, hoping he wasn’t upset she’d had to cancel on their date before it even happened.

Then she saw a smile appeared on his face as he approached the counter, and she realized she had nothing to worry about at all.

“Good morning. Would you like your usual order?” she asked him without taking her eyes off the coffee machine.

Jesse leaned one arm against the counter, his dazzling blue eyes looked straight at her.

“Yes, please. Am I really that predictable?”

Cassie laughed. “Well, you’re not, but your boss is,” she pointed out, referring to Nick. “Besides, I make it my mission to get to know my customers’ regular orders if I want to keep them as my customers. Your coffee and donuts will be ready shortly. I’m just finishing them off now.”

Jesse winked at her, making Cassie blush. “There’s no rush. Nick was on his phone with a client as I was leaving. He will probably be busy for a while."

His wink sent shivers through Cassie’s body, and these feelings inspired her to make his order a whole lot faster.

“So how’s Jake?” he casually asked, making small talk as he waited.

“He’s good now, back to his bright and persistent self again, thank God. After our ordeal, I think I actually like the boisterous side of my son.”

“I bet.”

“Sorry about our date. I never did get to apologize in person.”

“It’s okay. We’ve both been busy, and your child had to come first that night. If I had a kid who was sick, I wouldn’t have left him to go out either. You did the right thing.”

Cassie whipped a plastic to-go lid onto the cup of coffee before placing another empty mug under the spouts and pressing buttons so coffee was released into the cup.

Cassie mouthed a thanks to him as she returned to battling with the coffee machine as she tried to simultaneously fight the alluring attraction she shared with Jesse. Of course, it wasn’t as strong as the one she shared with Jordan, but there was a definite spark felt between her and Jesse, and she couldn’t deny it, even if she wanted to.

When Cassie handed him his order, along with a cardboard box containing the homemade donuts she had made last night after Jake had gone to bed because there was nothing good on television, she surprised herself when she spontaneously asked him a question she, and even Jesse, wasn’t expecting.

“So is that date still saved for another day?” Her lips formed a smile.

“It is if you want it to be. I don’t want to push you into going out on a date if you’re not interested. I’m not forcing you to say yes or anything, although it would be nice.” Plus, Jesse had learned of the date Cassie went on with Jordan before he left town. He knew they shared a long history together, not to mention a child. He didn’t want to be the guy standing in the way of the former couple rekindling their love. Jesse didn’t know Jordan that well, but he knew Nick and he were best friends, and he respected their friendship and his job too much to jeopardize it.

His sexy charm and charisma snuck out, along with his Texan accent Cassie loved as he handed her a twenty-dollar bill. She slipped over to the register, hit keys until the drawer opened, and she popped the money in, and her fingers grazed his as she handed him the change.

Did she really want to go out with him? She wasn’t so sure of her answer, but she couldn’t tell him that and risk hurting his feelings. He was a gentleman and didn’t deserve the kind of broken heart she had struggled with for six years.

“Of course I want to go out with you. I wouldn’t have suggested it otherwise,” she said instead, “but do you mind if I just meet you there instead? For me, it’s easier than facing an awkward meeting with Jake. I’d rather leave that to another time.” She wiped her hands on her hot pink apron.