Part 12 (1/2)
”I've always loved you in that dress,” he said as we walked down the steps to the front door.
”This old thing?” I asked, smiling despite my earlier promise to keep this light.
”You wore it to our last engagement party,” he said softly. ”Remember?”
Blast it all, I'd forgotten all about that. ”I can change,” I said. ”Give me two minutes. Honestly, I didn't mean anything by it.”
”Don't you dare. You look great,” he said. ”Besides, if we're late for our reservation, they'll give our table away.”
”Are you sure? I don't mind. Honestly, I don't.”
”Come on, Jen. If I let you go back in your apartment, I'll never get you out again.”
We were just leaving the house when Barrett walked out of his apartment. He looked at us both before saying a word. Was that a touch of envy in his eyes? It was probably just my imagination, but I sincerely hoped not.
”Evening,” he said.
”Good-bye,” I countered, and Greg held the door open for me.
”What was that all about?” he asked once I was safely in his vehicle.
”Barrett has an overly generous opinion of his own charm,” I said.
Greg laughed, and I asked, ”What's so funny?”
”I miss your wit, Jennifer,” he said.
”You didn't seem to miss it so much when you were dating Teresa Haywood.”
”Hey, don't forget, that was after you broke up with me.”
”How long did you wait to ask her out? Ten minutes, or did you show remarkable restraint and wait for fifteen?”
”As a matter of fact, Teresa asked me out. Is it my fault you were at Hurley's the same night we were there?”
I laughed, remembering the look of abject discomfort that had been on Greg's face that night. ”You looked like a deer blinded by headlights. Whatever happened to Teresa?”
”She moved to West Virginia,” he said.
”You seem to have a difficult time keeping your women,” I said.
”Funny, it never was a trend until you came along,” Greg said.
”What can I say? I'm special that way.” As he drove us to the restaurant in his pickup truck, I said, ”You know, we don't have anything to prove tonight, and I know you can't afford The Chateau. Why don't we go to The Lunch Box and eat there instead?”
”Are you kidding me? Savannah would never let you live it down that you were silly enough to go out with me again.”
I touched his arm lightly. ”Then let's go to Hurley's. I agreed to this farce, but I'm not going to put you in debt on my account.”
”I can cover it,” he said grimly. I knew how much his pottery shop made when the ma.s.s of tourists were one, and we'd all gone through a lean winter, with summer nearly there.
”To be honest with you, I'd feel more comfortable at Hurley's,” I said. ”The Chateau is just a little too exclusive for my taste.”
”Are you serious?” he asked.
”I am. Greg, let's at least have some fun, since this is the last time we're doing this.”
Greg shrugged, then turned the truck around and headed for Hurley's. As he drove, I said, ”You can take your tie off, too. I know it's got to be choking you.”
”Come on, at least give me this much. Leave me with a little delusion that this night's special.”
I said softly, ”It is, because it's the last time we're going to do it. There's no pressure tonight, no final farewells or anything so melodramatic. Let's just be two old friends sharing a meal and some time together.”
He nodded. ”I've got to admit that sounds wonderful.”
We parked in front of Hurley's. Greg jumped out to open my door, but I was too quick for him. Before I could get out, he said, ”You're not playing fair. You never minded me opening doors for you before.”
”Okay, I'll let you win, but just this once.” I closed my door and waited for him to open it, but when nothing happened, I looked up to see him grinning at me. I was about to reach for the handle again when he popped my door open, and I barely managed not tumble out onto the curb.
”You're out of practice,” I said as I got out.
”I guess my timing is a little off,” he said. ”That's the story of my life.”
We walked into Hurley's, and I was surprised that the place was only half full. Jack was frowning at his reservation book when he spotted us.
”We didn't call ahead,” Greg said. ”I hope you have room for us.”
”You and a marching band,” Jack said. He took in our outfits, then added, ”My, don't you two look nice. Jennifer, if I weren't married with a zoo of kids, I'd ask you out myself.”
”But would I say yes?” I said, fighting a losing battle to hide my smile. It never failed. Every time I was around Jack Hurley, I felt like I was fifteen years old a freshman with a crush on a senior.
”There's no doubt in my mind, because I wouldn't give up until you did.”
”Hey, in case you weren't sure, we're on a date here.”
The tone of Greg's voice surprised me. Had the banter made him jealous?
Jack said, ”Sorry, we were just teasing,” as he led us to a table by the window, one of my favorite spots in the restaurant. ”Beth will be serving you tonight, but in the meantime, can I get you something from the bar?'
After we ordered our drinks, Jack went away to, make them, but not before pausing long enough to wink at me. I just shook my head and smiled.
Greg asked, ”What was that for?”
”I just find it surreal being here with you tonight. So tell me about Stephanie,” I asked. ”She seems nice, and she's certainly pretty.”
”Do we have to talk about her? I thought tonight was going to be about us.”