Page 53 of Eight Years Gone

He smiled as he nodded. “See? There you go.”

She huffed out a laugh, growing excited about new possibilities—something she’d never even considered. “Marjorie said she would set me up with a mentor.”

He nodded. “You’ll be great.”

She grinned. “I think I might actually give it a shot.”

“You’ll be the best thing that ever happened to those kids.”

“Thanks. But don’t tell anyone. I need to talk to Aunt Maggie before I say anything to Marjorie.”

He crossed his finger over his heart in the way that he had when he promised Aunt Maggie he wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye. “You’re secret’s safe with me.”

She smiled again. “Thanks for listening.”

He tossed her a wink. “Anytime.”

She looked toward the booth across from theirs when two kids scrambled out of their seats and started dancing by their table. “That looks like fun.”

“It’s the music. It’s catchy.”

“It’s BTS.”

He shook his head as he shrugged. “I’m not sure who that is.”

“They’re a South Korean boy band. Brennan loved this song when it came out a couple of years ago. ‘Butter.’”

“It’s catchy,” he repeated, breaking out the Cabbage Patch in his seat, his rhythm and moves excellent.

She tipped her head back, laughing.

Grinning, he wiggled his brow as he continued to keep the beat with his head and shoulders.

She stared at him as he flashed her that slightly crooked grin—the carefree smile she hadn’t seen in years.

For just a moment, he was back with his silliness and bright eyes—her Jagger. The sudden flood of longing and love overwhelmed her as much as it terrified her.

What was she doing? Why was she here with him like this? Rushing up, she grabbed her purse and headed for the door.

“Grace.”

She shook her head, ignoring him as she shoved her way through the people waiting by the hostess stand and walked outside.

She had to get out of there. Dinner with Jagger had been a terrible mistake.

* * *

Jagger hurried to his feet, staring after Grace as she weaved her way through the dozens of people waiting by the hostess station before she pushed open the door.

What the hell just happened?

Reaching for his wallet, he caught their waitresses’ attention with a wave, throwing a fifty-dollar bill on the table before he rushed outside, scanning the dark for Grace. She couldn’t have gone far because he had the keys to the van.

He spotted her moving toward the public access beach down the hill from the parking lot and followed at a jog, quickly catching up. “Grace.”

She moved faster.

“Gracie.” He grabbed her arm. “Stop.”