Chapter 04.2

I waited for the next afternoon like I had before our movie date—nervous, dressed up, and right on time. I drove to Tony’s. I arrived before she did, but Tony greeted me enthusiastically.

“Eating alone today, Jay?” he asked after our handshake.

“Not exactly,” I said.

“No way,” he grinned. I nodded.

“I’m trying to fix what I broke. Does she come here often?”

“A few times a month. Always alone. Always sits there.” He pointed to our usual spot just as Jenny’s car pulled into the lot.

I sat down and waited for her to come in and take the seat across from me. She was wearing the same outfit she had on during our movie night.

“Thanks for coming,” I said as she sat down.

“You were right—one dance’s worth of time is fair,” she said. ”Or one burger,” she laughed.

Tony brought her usual burger without asking, and mine too. I waited for him to leave.

“There’s something I want to say,” I began carefully.

“Go ahead,” she said with a soft smile.

“I want to apologize for how I acted,” I said. She didn’t touch her food—just waited. “Neither during our breakup nor on New Year’s Eve did I behave the way a real man should have. You were right. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” she smiled. “What matters is that you learn from it.”

We began eating in silence.

“How’s your family?” I asked, starting with something neutral—just to get us talking.

“They’re good, thanks,” she said. ”Mom’s business is doing better and better.”

“What business?” I asked, curious.

“Baking,” she said in that calm, clever tone of hers. ”She bakes for events and sometimes cooks too, but only on-site.”

“Oh, right—I remember now,” I said.

“I heard Amber moved in with Brad,” she said between bites.

“Yeah, not long after the wedding. She went back and forth on it for a while, but someone convinced her. Some friend of hers.”

“That was me,” she said with a smile—still that enchanting smile. “I told her she shouldn’t let her past fears overtake her current feelings.”

“I almost forgot how smart you are,” I replied, lost in her eyes.

She blushed but didn’t respond.

“How’s Amber’s shop doing?” I asked again.

“Better and better,” she smiled. ”We’re opening a new location near my school this fall. I’ll manage that one—Amber will focus on the original.”

“I didn’t know,” I admitted.

“I guess your attention’s been on other things over there,” she said, but her tone shifted, and she cut herself off. She stared at her plate, barely looking at me.

I didn’t say anything. I finished my burger and waited for her to finish hers.

“Listen,” I said after a deep breath. ”We need to talk.”

“You already said that. I just don’t know what about,” she replied flatly.

“About Helen,” I said. She visibly tensed up—and I loved her for it.

“Oh, I-I don’t think there’s anything we need to talk about,” she stammered so fast I could barely understand her. ”I think it’s best if we just go.” She waved to Tony for the check.

“Wait a second,” I said, reaching across the table and gently touching her hand. She pulled it back, flustered. ”You never let me finish. Helen is actually Harper—” I began, but I’d already misstepped.

Tony, unaware of the tension, arrived at the worst possible moment and placed the bill in front of Jenny. She paid immediately.

“I-I don’t think I’m the one you should be talking to about your girlfriend,” she stammered, grabbed her bag, and headed straight for the door.

I rushed after her.

“I’ll be right back to pay,” I called to Tony as I passed. He just nodded, curious.

Jenny stood by her car, fumbling nervously with the door.

“That’s enough,” I said firmly. ”You’re coming with me. We’re not leaving until we talk this through.” I gently took her hand and led her toward the park.

“I don’t think there’s anything to talk about,” she rattled off, but she followed—mostly because a few people in the parking lot had started watching us.

The park was thankfully quiet, though the nearby new playground was noisy.

“Sit,” I said, pointing to a quiet bench.

Jenny sat down, and I sat beside her.

“Now you’re going to sit here and listen—quietly,” I said firmly. ”Enough running.”

“But I—” she started, but I placed a finger gently over her lips. I shivered at the feel of her breath.

“Enough,” I said. ”If you want a real man, here I am. Now listen.” She nodded silently.