Page 38 of Deny Me
“Nothing.” He shook his head. “It just explains a lot about who you are.”
My eyebrows lowered in annoyance. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” he repeated, trying to calm my building irritation. “It just gives me a whole new insight as to why you’re so against any lasting relationship. Why you go through guys like tissues.”
“Jameson, I go through guys like tissues because I can, and it feels good. I’m against relationships because I don’t need anything from anyone that I can’t get from myself or my friendships. Just because I told you about my mom doesn’t mean you know some deep secret and can fix me or something.”
“Evelyn, I never said you needed fixing.”
“No, but I can feel you judging me.”
“I would never judge you.”
I just held his stare, lifting an eyebrow, waiting for him to admit that he always judged me.
“Listen,” he lifted his hands, effectively pausing the budding argument. “Let’s just stop. Okay? Let’s just relax and talk about something else.”
I took a deep breath, calming and pushing away any other retorts on my tongue. He was right. We were at a romantic ocean-side dinner. There was no need to start a fight. “Fine.”
“Good.”
A long silence stretched between us as we both searched for what to say next. “So… you mentioned that you wanted to focus on yourself now that Luella is married. What did you have in mind?” Leaning my elbow on the table and balancing my chin on my hand, I waited for his answer. “Other than serious relationships,” I added on, not wanting to hear more about his future girlfriends or how he would leave me as the lone single, fifth wheel, in the group.
“I don’t know really,” he laughed. “I think I’m still adjusting to being able to focus on me for the first time in eighteen years.”
“Think about it now,” I encouraged.
“Hmm…” he replicated my chin on my hand and stared at me while he thought. “I guess I would want to expand the bar.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” The more he talked, the more excited he seemed to get. “I’m limited on expansion in the area King’s is in because it’s so crowded. But a lot of trendy outdoor shopping areas are opening up more north of Cincinnati.” His eyes sparked with excitement. “You’re the first person I’ve told this to.”
“I’m honored.” I smiled in encouragement. “Tell me more.”
“It’s always just been an idea. One I didn’t think I’d be able to accomplish. But I’ve got financing and started looking at spaces.” His hands moved around as he talked, becoming more animated. “With a new building, we could connect with brewers and build a site where we could make our own craft beers. We could even hold tasting events.”
“That sounds amazing.” By the time he was done, I was smiling right along with him, feeling excitement for him. My chest swelled with pride at the possibility of this man finally being able to accomplish a dream that was completely his. I wanted that for him almost as much as he seemed to want it for himself.
“Maybe you can come with me when we get back? I’d love your opinion with possible ways to lay out the spaces.”
“My specialty is more with clothes.”
“Nonsense. I remember how you helped Luella renovate the house. You’ve got an artistic eye for everything.” He reached across the table and laced our fingers together. “We can go look at the spaces and I can show you the area. They have some nice restaurants I’d love to take you to on a date.”
The easy way he talked about when we got back to Cincinnati set alarm bells off in my head and I had to fight the urge to pull my hand back. This was only a Jamaican fling and we would go back to being friends when we got home. But I decided to bury my head in the sand and rather than set him straight, I gave a noncommittal, “Sure.”
“I’ve got to admit, I’m a little nervous. It’s a big step, but I’m equally excited.”
“You’ll get there. You’re successful in all you do. It would be impossible for you not to be great.”
“Thank you, Evelyn.” He stared, searching my face before leaning forward. I met him halfway as our lips brushed against each other for a soft, lingering kiss. “Your confidence in me means a lot.”
I placed one more soft kiss to his lips and pulled back just enough to look in his eyes. “I’ll always be here to support you.”
I meant it as a friend, but the way his eyes heated and my heart picked up, I wondered why it felt like I wanted it to mean more.