More than Exist(42)

“Perfect,” he replied, then grabbed a piece of avocado and popped it in his mouth.

I made like I was going to slap his hand, causing him to laugh.

“I’m going to go get ready. You good?”

“Yes, everything is under control and ready for your guests to start arriving.”

“Thanks, Bella,” Jones said with a wink, then left me and walked down the hall.

While I was putting the finishing touches on the starters, the idea of introducing Jones and Ginger began to form in my head.

Time went by quickly, and before I knew it, the guests had arrived and were in the living room enjoying their wine and sangria, as well as the ahi poke and avocado, and California rolls.

For dinner I decided to service lettuce wraps, rather than a salad, as the starter. I was pleased to see that no one had left any food on their plates when I cleared, and when I served the jasmine rice with lemon chicken and edamame, with homemade egg rolls and plum sauce on the side, Jones shot me a pleased grin and mouthed, “Perfect.”

The final course of the night was baked pears with a brown sugar and cinnamon glaze, which I served with coffee.

I was cleaning in an adrenaline-fueled frenzy, running on the high of a successful event, when Jones saw the last of his guests to the door. He loosened his tie and came into the kitchen with a satisfied grin.

“You’re a lifesaver, Belle. I can’t thank you enough. Everything was absolutely delicious.”

‘I’m so glad. Thanks for giving me the opportunity.”

Jones picked up his wine glass, took a drink, then looked down at the red liquid before looking at me with a grimace.

“Shit, Belle, I didn’t even think … Were you okay with serving the drinks?”

I looked at his glass, surprised when I answered truthfully, “I honestly didn’t even think about it. I was so wrapped up in making sure everything was perfect for you and your guests, that having a drink didn’t even cross my mind.”

Of course, now that he mentioned it, I could taste the bitterness of the wine on my tongue as if I’d taken a sip.

“I’d better go,” I said quickly, grabbing my purse and adding sincerely. “Thanks for taking a chance on me.”

“Don’t mention it, Belle. Truly, you did me the favor. And, if you’d like, I can give your name and number to my co-workers, and let them know if they ever need to cater an event, they should give you a call.”

I felt a rush of pleasure at his offer.

“That would be great.” I started for the door, then remembered my earlier epiphany. “Hey, Jones, if you’re not busy next Friday night, my friend will be in town. Maybe we can drag Luke out and all go to dinner.”

“Sure, doll, anything for you,” he replied, then walked me the rest of the way to the door.

Now I’d just have to work up the courage to ask Luke out, I thought as I got into my car.

I pulled out and headed toward the ranch, all of the different ways I could approach Luke running through my head. I stressed myself out so bad, that by the time I pulled in to the ranch, I was a basket case.

“Hey,” Luke called, startling me as I walked up the dark path to find him sitting on the porch. Warmth ran through me when I realized that he must have been waiting up for me.

“Hi,” I replied, my voice catching as I took him in.

“Did everything go okay?” he asked, his voice full of concern as he rose to meet me.

“Oh, yeah, it was good. Really good. Great.” I let out a nervous laugh.

Jeez, I needed to get a grip.

“That’s great,” Luke said, reaching out to put a hand on my arm, as if he were trying to comfort me. “Is anything else wrong?”

“You want to go to dinner on Friday?” I blurted, then grimaced and added, “Not just us, I mean with Ginger and Jones, while she’s here. Not like a date, date, but a double thing… you know, dinner.”

Luke smiled slowly, his eye lighting, which only made me more nervous.

It should be illegal to be that handsome.

“I’d love to,” he replied simply, as he opened the door to let me inside. He followed behind, locking up and turning out the lights, then let me off the hook and said, “Goodnight, Belle.”

“Goodnight,” I said with a small smile. I walked to my room, heart pounding and stomach fluttering.

Once I was ready for bed, I settled in and stared up at the ceiling, unable to get Luke’s smiling face out of my head.





Chapter 30





It had felt like the longest week ever. Not that anything bad happened, it was just the waiting that made each day seem to last forever. I could not wait for Ginger to arrive, and if I was honest, my quasi-date with Luke.