Dan looked away, toward the lake where he’d been so tempted to kiss Jade the other day.
“I know.” He couldn’t deny that Jared was absolutely right. “But Jesus didn’t have a whole church just waiting for him to mess up so they could point out he wasn’t as good as his father.”
“Sounds to me like it’s not Jade’s reputation you’re worried about. It’s yours.” Jared picked up the ball and passed it to him, hard.
Dan caught it with a grunt.
“Maybe God brought Jade back so you could have a second chance. Maybe not. But you owe it to yourself—and to her—to find out.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
Dan lobbed the ball absently toward the hoop. It clanged against the rim, then bounced off in the other direction. Which was probably exactly what would happen with Jade if he told her how he felt.
“You don’t think so, do you?” Grace’s voice cut into Dan’s thoughts and he realized that he’d lost track of their conversation for the fifth time since they’d arrived at the Hidden Cafe.
He scooped up a forkful of French toast to give himself a moment to return his focus to her. “I’m sorry. What was that?”
“You seem sort of distracted this morning. Is everything all right?”
“Sorry. Just have lots of things on my mind.” After a sleepless weekend, he’d gotten up this morning certain of his choice. He had to do what was best for the church. So he’d called Grace and invited her to breakfast. Too bad he’d proceeded to spend the entire meal thinking about Jade.
He had to snap out of it. “What were you saying?”
Grace waved a hand in the air. “Nothing much. I was just talking to hear my own voice, as my mama would say. Is there anything I can do to help? With whatever’s on your mind, I mean.”
He sincerely doubted that. “It’s nothing.” He grasped at the thread of conversation he remembered. “You were saying you think we need some more people to help with VBS?”
“Oh yeah.” She nodded. “I have all kinds of new things I want to try. I thought maybe Jade could help with the crafts and . . .”
She was still talking, but his mind was gone again, drifting to Jade. He hadn’t seen her for a couple of days now—Violet had said she wasn’t feeling well yesterday, so she hadn’t been in church—and he missed her.
“So you’re on board with that?”
Dan blinked at Grace. “Yeah. Sounds great. Just let me know if you need anything else.”
He finished the last bite of his French toast and signaled for the check.
“Now what?” Grace asked.
Dan’s mind drew a blank. Now what what? And then he realized she meant now what should they do.
“Oh. I— Um―” He hadn’t thought beyond the meal. He’d planned to go to the office afterward. But apparently Grace had taken his invitation to breakfast as an offer to spend the whole day together.
Both of their phones dinged with a text, and Dan breathed a silent thanks.
The message was from Jade, to their group chat about Violet and Nate’s house. The house is open if anyone wants to paint today. I’m still not feeling the best, so I won’t be able to make it.
“Oh, poor thing.” Grace clicked off her phone. “Hope she feels better soon.”
Dan nodded, but the worry that hummed through him, the desire to be with Jade and make her feel better, told him what he hadn’t wanted to admit.
He was with the wrong woman.
“I’m sorry.” He didn’t have any desire to hurt Grace, but it wasn’t fair to let her believe there was something here that wasn’t. “I think you’re a wonderful woman, and I am so grateful for everything you’ve done for our ministry. But―”
Her bright blue eyes fell on him, and he had to look at the floor. He’d had a lot of unpleasant conversations with people in his day, but this was one of the worst.
“The thing is, I just don’t feel that way about you. I’m sorry.” He kept his hands folded in his lap.
Grace gave a soft laugh. He’d been prepared for a lot of reactions from her. But not that one.
He ducked his head. “Sorry. Was I totally off base in thinking you liked me?” He groaned. “I was, wasn’t I? That’s embarrassing. I don’t have a lot of experience with this sort of thing. Can we just pretend none of this ever happened?” Or better yet, they could both hit their heads against the table and get amnesia.
“No, no.” Grace shook her head. “Sorry. You weren’t wrong. I did like you. Do like you.” Her face grew fiery, but she didn’t look away. “But I told your sister it was never going to happen. It’s pretty clear your heart already belongs to someone else. I’m just surprised it took you this long to realize it.”
He could pretend he had no idea what she was talking about, but he wasn’t going to insult her intelligence like that.
“Thanks for understanding.” A twinge of regret pinched at him. His life would be so much easier if Grace were the one he had feelings for. “I hope this won’t make things awkward between us. I want to still be friends if that’s okay with you.”
She slugged his arm lightly. “Try to stop me. Now go get the girl you’re really after.”
Dan swallowed. The problem was, he wasn’t sure she wanted to be gotten.
Chapter 24
Jade stared around the room, trying to place the sound that had made her open her eyes. She pushed slowly to an upright position, waiting for the wave of nausea that had rolled over her every time she sat up this morning. She hadn’t been feeling the best the last few days, and yesterday she’d finally given in and stayed in bed instead of going to church.
She’d thought she was doing better last night, but when she’d woken this morning, the prospect of standing had made her nearly vomit, so she’d regretfully bailed on working at Vi and Nate’s house. They had plenty of time to get the painting done, but she had been looking forward to seeing everyone.
To seeing Dan.
She silenced the thought.
She hadn’t been looking forward to seeing Dan any more than anyone else. In the short time she’d been back in Hope Springs, Vi’s friends had started to feel like an extended family.
If she wasn’t careful, she was going to start thinking of this town as home.
A soft knock on the apartment door drew her attention. That must have been what woke her in the first place.
She pushed herself off the air mattress. Thankfully, the room didn’t spin. “Coming.”
She combed her fingers through her hair, but they got stuck halfway. Whoever was at the door was going to have to deal with seeing her like this.
But the moment she opened the door, she regretted that decision. Her eyes landed on the hyacinths Dan held, then swept down to her baggy plaid pajama pants and stained Minnie Mouse t-shirt.
“What are you doing here?” The words came out almost as an accusation, and she berated herself. It was pretty clear he was bringing her flowers, and she was thanking him by yelling at him. “I mean, I figured you’d be at church, doing official business.”
“This is official business.” He passed her the flowers. “One of my flock is sick, and I came to see how she’s doing.”
Jade didn’t point out that she wasn’t technically part of his flock. Or any flock, for that matter.
She lifted the flowers to her nose, taking in their soft perfume. How had he remembered they were her favorite? She’d only mentioned it once in passing years ago, when they’d found a patch of them sprouting on a dune.
“So, can I come in for a minute?”
“Oh.” Jade jumped back. “Sorry. Of course. Have a seat.” She gestured to the living room. “I’m just going to put these in some water.”
In the kitchen, she dug around the cupboards until she found a suitable vase. While it was filling, she yanked her fingers through her hair a few times, trying not to cry out as they snagged on snarls. She almost always kept a rubber band on her wrist for emergency ponytails, but of course today was the one day she
hadn’t.
When the vase was full, she added the flowers and carried it to the living room. Dan was seated on the couch. She set the flowers on the table next to it, then shuffled across the room to sit on the chair farthest from him.
“Sorry, I wasn’t expecting visitors. I’m still in my pajamas, and my hair―” She touched a self-conscious hand to her head.
“You look . . . fine.”
Jade laughed and eyed him. “Careful. Your high praise will go to my head.”
Dan grinned. “Actually, you look beautiful, but I wasn’t sure how to say that.”
“Oh.” A smart remark would be helpful right about now. Or, barring that, some way to change the subject. “You do too.”
Dan chuckled. “Thanks. That’s the look I was going for today.”
Jade joined in his laughter. “I mean— Oh, never mind.” She threw her hands in the air. She was making a complete fool of herself. And the odd part was, she didn’t care. She felt comfortable here with him, pajamas and messy hair and all.
“But seriously, how are you feeling? Any better?” Dan’s mouth turned down, and Jade had to force herself to take her eyes off his lips.
“Much better, actually. Must have been something I ate. The weird thing is, I’m starving now.” She got up and moved toward the kitchen again. “Want anything?”
“No thanks.” Dan’s voice was relaxed and easy. “I had breakfast with Grace a little while ago.”
Jade’s back stiffened, and she stopped rummaging through the cupboards for a second. Why was she surprised? Everyone could see that Dan and Grace were perfect for each other.
She dug through the food for another second, then slammed the cupboard shut. Why was there nothing that looked good?
She returned to the living room emptyhanded and flopped onto the chair with a dejected sigh.
Dan raised an eyebrow. “I thought you were starving. Where’s your food?”
Jade lifted a shoulder. “Nothing here looks good.”
“What are you in the mood for?”
Jade didn’t even have to think about it. “Ice cream.”
“The Chocolate Chicken it is. Let’s go.” He stood and held out a hand to help her up.
She only hesitated a second before setting her hand in his. His fingers closing around hers felt like the most natural thing in the world. She pulled her hand away the moment she was on her feet. No point in getting used to that sensation.
“Give me a second to change and do something with this hair.” It was bad enough Dan had seen her looking like this. No way was she going in public.
“I like the jammie look on you. But if you want to change, go for it.”
She shot him a mocking grin and disappeared into Vi’s room.
Ten minutes later, she emerged wearing a pair of cutoff shorts and her favorite yellow tank top. She’d thrown her hair into a messy bun. It wasn’t stellar, but it would have to do.
Dan surveyed her. “I think I liked the jammies better, but this is good too.”
She swatted at him. She’d seen the appreciation in his eyes as he looked at her. Not the lustful kind of appreciation other men had always directed her way, like they were wondering what she looked like under her clothes. Dan’s look was more tender—a look that made her feel sheltered and safe.
Downstairs, she popped into the antique shop to let Vi know she was going out, then followed Dan to the parking lot.
He started for his car, but she grabbed his arm. “Do you mind if we walk? It’s so nice out, and I’ve been cooped up inside all day.”
“Of course.” Dan matched her pace, and they fell into an easy silence. The day was warm, but a gentle breeze played with the hairs that had fallen out of her bun. Jade tilted her face to the sky and sighed.
“Something wrong?” Dan looked at her with concern.
“Nope. I just feel―” She didn’t know how to describe it. “Like I wouldn’t change anything right now.”
Dan’s footsteps stuttered, but he quickly resumed walking, picking up his pace slightly. Great. Now she’d scared him off. Again.
She had to stop implying that she wanted to be with him. It was pretty clear he already had a future. And it wasn’t with her.
“I’m glad,” Dan said finally, and it took her a minute to figure out what he was glad about.
She should undo what she’d done. But she didn’t know what else to say. She couldn’t take it back because it was true.
Fortunately, they arrived at the Chocolate Chicken, and the crowds made further conversation impossible. Apparently, ice cream sounded good to everyone on a hot day like today. Vacationing families, local teens, and a few senior citizens filled every last table, and the line to order stretched outside the door.
As they waited for their turn, Dan talked easily with a few people in front of them in line. Jade recognized them from church. She watched as Dan laughed at their jokes, listened to their concerns, offered to pray for them. This all came so naturally to him. Jade hovered awkwardly by his side, saying hi when he introduced her but not saying much else.
More than one person cast a curious eye at her. She knew what they were thinking because she was thinking it too. She wasn’t the kind of woman he should be taking out for ice cream. He needed a woman who could support him in the ministry. They all knew who that woman was. And—spoiler alert—it wasn’t her.
When they got close enough to see the counter, Jade busied herself examining the ice cream flavors.
“I’ll take a scoop of cotton candy ice cream in a waffle cone with chocolate syrup and . . .” She tapped her lip, thinking. “Maybe some crushed candy cane.”
Dan gave her a revolted look. “Is that even a thing?”
She shrugged. “It sounds good.”
“If you say so.” He turned to the high school kid taking their order. “I’ll have a double scoop of triple chocolate in a dish.”
“A dish?” Jade scoffed. “Does that qualify as real ice cream?”
“Hey, no comments from the woman who ordered the world’s weirdest ice cream combination.” He took out his wallet and passed the kid his credit card.
“Oh, wait. Let me get―”
But it was too late. The kid was already passing the card back.
Dan winked at her. “You can get it next time.”
She told herself that the temporary bump in her heartbeat was not because of those two little words, next time.
Three minutes later, when she grabbed her ice cream cone, Jade had to admit that it looked rather disgusting.
“Want to go down to the marina to eat these?”
Jade glanced around the crowded restaurant. “Yeah. It doesn’t look like there’s a single table open.”
“Oh, I’m not worried about that. I just don’t want anyone else to have to watch you eat that.” Dan gestured at her ice cream cone.
“Haha.” Jade gave him her most dramatic eye roll. “It’s going to be good. You’ll see.”
The moment they stepped out the door, the ice cream dripped down her hand, and she had no choice but to take a lick.
She gagged and yanked it away from her tongue. Too late, she realized Dan was watching. She tried to make herself take another lick. But she couldn’t do it. How could she have thought cotton candy, chocolate, and mint would taste good together?
To his credit, Dan managed to avoid laughing for all of five seconds. Then a huge chuckle burst out of him. “So not the most delicious thing in the world?”
Jade pouted. She’d really wanted ice cream. But there was no way she could eat this. “I may have been a little off in my calculations. Apparently, watching Top Chef doesn’t actually qualify you to choose flavor combinations.”
“To be fair, it was unique.” Dan chortled again. “I’m sure no one else has ever tried it before.”
“Want to trade?” Jade held it out to him as a joke.
“Sure.” His answer was instant, and she had to stop to look at him.
“I was
joking.”
“I wasn’t.”
Before she realized what he was doing, he’d grabbed the cone from her and placed his dish of decadent looking triple chocolate into her hands.
“Dan, no. We aren’t going to switch. There’s no way you’re going to eat that.”
“Nope.” Dan tossed the cone into the trashcan they were passing. “I’m not.”
Jade’s mouth fell open. “I’m not going to eat your ice cream.”
“Of course you are. We traded fair and square.”
“Not fair or square.” She would have placed a hand on her hip, but she was afraid of dropping the dish. In which case neither of them would have the ice cream Dan had paid for.
“Come on.” Dan laid a hand lightly on the small of her back to lead her forward. The jolt of his touch kicked her legs into gear, but his hand lingered there a second longer than was necessary. When he pulled it away, Jade concentrated on keeping her expression neutral. She didn’t need him—and the whole town—knowing how much that simple, protective gesture meant to her.
And anyway, it hadn’t meant anything to him. He’d simply wanted to get her moving again. He probably wanted her to finish up the ice cream so he could get back to his office. He had more important things to do than eat ice cream with her.
“Why don’t we sit over there?” Dan pointed to the worn wooden bench at the end of the breakwater that protected the marina.
Jade swiveled to survey the area. It was rather exposed. Did Dan really want everyone to see him with her?
Then again, if it didn’t bother him, it didn’t bother her.
She followed him and settled on the bench, pressing herself all the way to the far side. Was this a standard-sized bench? It seemed way too small.
“Eat up.” Dan angled his body toward her and slung an arm over the back of the bench.
Jade inched the last centimeter closer to the other end of the bench and held the ice cream out to him. “I told you, I’m not going to eat your ice cream.”
Dan’s eyes crinkled in a smile as he leaned closer to her face. All the breath got caught in her lungs. What was he doing? He wasn’t going to—
Not Until Us (Hope Springs Book 4) Page 13
