Page 37 of The Jellybean Dilemma

With a gentle hand on his shoulder, I let him know I was there. “Sorry about that. What did I miss? Nothing too exciting, I hope.”

“Oh,” she said smugly, “Greg and I were just reminiscing.” But that smugness dimmed when my fingers wrapped firmly over his shoulder, my thumb tracing circles on his clavicle.

Greg brought his hand up to cover mine, distancing himself further from her. “You should eat. Your food’s getting cold.” Genuine concern laced his voice as he glanced up at me. “Everything all right?”

I’d forgotten just how much he always saw. I nodded. “Definitely. I can’t wait to dig into this delicious looking pasta. Have you tried yours yet?”

He shook his head. “I was waiting for you.”

Suddenly, we were the only two people in the place. Everyone else just melted away as I stared at him, joined by our hands on his shoulder. Those gray eyes mesmerized me, the stormy flecks of almost black contrasting against the lighter rings with a bluish tinge. They sucked me into their tempestuous gaze, holding me prisoner.

“Well, I guess I’ll let you two eat.” Carrie shoved away from the table, startling both of us and sloshing our wine to the brim of our glasses.

Greg cleared his throat. He hurried to let go of my hand, then awkwardly nodded at my chair. “Sit. Please.”

So, I did, placing my napkin in my lap and gathering a bit of everything on my fork before sliding it into my mouth. It was perfection. “Wow. This is amazing.” I moaned around another mouthful, startled to find Greg watching me instead of eating. “Oh, did you want to try some?” I stabbed a forkful, offering it to him.

He hesitated but took it, his smile growing as he swallowed. “That is good.”

“It goes great with the wine. How’s yours?”

“Good, though not as good as yours.” Again, he hesitated, but then he said, “Would you like a bite?”

It felt like so much more than just a forkful of noodles, and I beamed when nodded. He’d been right when he said mine was better. But exchanging food felt like something a real couple would do. Judging by the glares Carrie shot our way, she bought our act—hook, line and sinker.

We were just finishing when our waitress returned with a piece of flourless chocolate cake and two spoons. “Dessert for the two love birds, compliments of Mr. Raymond.”

I grinned at Greg, then at the waitress. “Please thank him for us. If it’s as good as everything else has been, we won’t be disappointed.”

And it was. Of course, sharing it with Greg was a treat within itself. I automatically reached for the bill when she set it down, only to find Greg’s hand on top of mine and a frown on his face.

“I can afford it, Rhonda. You don’t have to pay for everything.”

My frown matched his. He always assumes the worst. I snatched my hand from under his. “That’s not it at all,” I hissed.

Carrie watched us intently, not missing a thing.

Quickly, I plastered on a smile. “Your ex is still watching, and I need to thank my father’s friend, but I’m more than happy to let you pay. We’ll discuss this more in the car. For now, though, I’m going to lean over to kiss your cheek, and you need to act pleased about it.”

He wasn’t as good at pretending as I was, but he did an admirable job.

“I’ll be back in a few, darling.” It was an effort to keep my steps light as I approached Carrie. “We’re getting ready to leave. I’d like to say goodbye to your dad.”

Reluctantly, she went toward the kitchen, returning with her booming father in tow. “Rhonda, how was everything?”

More air kisses, ugh. “Delicious. And thank you for that amazing dessert. What a delightful surprise!”

We chatted for a few more minutes until Greg made his way over, sliding his wallet back into his pocket. After he’d said his thanks followed by a stilted goodbye to Carrie, he helped me on with my coat, and we made our way to the car. He huffed as he started it up then buckled the seatbelt.

I’d had enough. “I don’t get you.”

He settled against the seat, keeping the engine running as he turned his frosty gaze on me. “What? That I don’t just let you be my sugar mama, paying for me like everyone else? You paid at the diner on the way up here, didn’t even give me a chance. You don’t need to pay for this too.” He snorted, shaking his head. “No, thank you.”

“That. Right there.” I threw my hands in the air. “Sometimes you see more of me than anyone has a right to. Like, you knew I was upset when I went to the bathroom, didn’t you?”

Confusion etched across his face as he nodded.

“Then you go back to seeing me like everyone else does. Just goodbye Jellybean, hello spoiled heiress.” I slumped against my seat, rubbing two fingers over my left temple that had started throbbing. Silence sat between us as I stewed.

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