“Then let me tell you something. She likes you and she’s scared. And if you like her too, then you need to go make things right,” Becker said, looking him square in the eyes, man to man. “Do you want to make things right?”
That was the question. Did he? He was pretty sure he did earlier in the day, given what he’d been up to. He wanted Jamie to trust him, though, to have faith that he was a good guy who’d treat her right. Completely. As he analyzed the situation, he reminded himself that last night was their first real date. Everything was still new between them. They were learning how to be together. She was worried and nervous, and his buddy was right. He needed to reassure her. If he did it now, and proved himself now, they could keep moving forward on solid footing. He’d tried hard to win her heart in the last week, pushing past his own fears about how she felt, what their relationship would do to their friendship, and even about growing his own business. If Jamie made the effort to do a Mad Libs apology and set up a dinner with her sister as a show of faith, then he damn well needed to let her know that she could keep trusting him.
“Oh, and I know you’re talking about Jamie,” Becker said with a knowing glint in his eye. “I see the way she looks at you. She’s a good one, Smith. Go make things right.”
He set down his glass on the counter and extended a hand. “Thank you for kicking me in the ass.”
“Anytime.”
…
“Can I have another, please?”
The small voice rose up to Jamie’s ears.
“Of course you can,” she answered, doing her best to be as chipper as could be. Her arms were covered in a fine mist of pink sugar. Jamie reached for a paper tube, dipped it into the sugar-filled tin, and began swirling. But her cotton candy creations were a mess tonight. Lumpy and thin and not the pillowy clouds she was known for.
She swept the tube through the spinning sugar, trying to make an ideal treat for the child, but her hurt was stronger. She pushed hard against the side of the machine, and the paper tube shot out of her hand, landing on the grass.
“Oh crap,” she said, bending down to grab it.
“Hey, let me finish,” her sister said gently. Diane started over, recreating the treat and handing it to the child.
The Spring Festival was in full swing, and a pop band played upbeat tunes in the gazebo, as families, children and couples played games and danced to the music. When the line ebbed at the cotton candy stand, Diane turned to her. “What’s going on? You’re not yourself tonight.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Just a rough day at work,” she said, glancing away so her sister couldn’t read the lie.
Diane reached for her shoulder. Squeezed it. “Hey. Talk to me. I’m your big sister. I know you didn’t have a rough day at work. You never have rough days at work. You love your job. You love your life. Is this about Smith?”
Jamie sighed heavily, as if all the tension inside her was spilling out too. Along with the stupid tears she never wanted to shed for him. “You were right when you said to be careful. I should have listened,” she said, hanging her head low.
“What do you mean?”
“I trusted him. I let him in. And you warned me way back when. But then I told him this morning that I was falling for him, and he said nothing in response. Actually, he said ‘I have to go,’ and that’s worse than nothing,” she said, fighting back more tears as the band from the gazebo launched into a pop song about second chances. She clenched her jaw, wishing they were playing breakup tunes because that’s what she needed now. “I should have known better.”
Diane smoothed out her hair and brought her in for a hug. “Smith is a good guy. I’ve been talking to him a lot lately because of the hires he’s making.”
“Then why did he just leave? Was it only about the sex after all? And he’s not serious about me?”
“Maybe he had a reason,” Diane said evasively, but with a twinkle in her eyes.
Jamie narrowed her eyes and stared at her sister, trying to see inside and make sense of the nonsense coming out of Diane’s mouth. “Hello? Where is my sister who told me to be careful?”
“I did tell you to be careful, and I stand by that. I also stand by what I said about him being crazy for you. Give him a chance. I think the man knows you pretty well.”
Before she could respond, she heard something scampering toward her, and when she looked down she saw the most adorable furry face she’d ever seen. A German shepherd puppy with a dark snout, pointy ears and huge, fluffy paws. His mouth lolled open and his tongue hung out, giving him the perfect puppy smile. He looked vaguely familiar, like the dog on the waiting list.
“Have you ever seen a more adorable creature?” she said to Diane, a surge of happiness returning to her, thanks to the little canine.
“He’s pretty damn cute.”
The dog licked Jamie’s leg and she laughed at the feel of the rough tongue on her skin. “I probably have cotton candy on my leg too,” she said, then noticed the little puppy had a note attached to his collar. With her name on it. In familiar handwriting. Her heart thumped hard, and all the happiness that had escaped her earlier came crashing back into her like a comet. She reached for the note with shaky, hopeful fingers.
Her heart dared to skip a beat. She trembled and opened it.
I’m falling for you too.
She looked up to see Smith holding a leather leash and wearing a massive grin.