Page 19 of Second Chances in Cedarwood

His pocket buzzed. He didn’t bother to check the notification right away. Someone must’ve called.Let it go to voicemail.

Once Jack had ventured into the shop and locked the door behind him, he retrieved the message. His ex-boyfriend Ray had called. He had fond memories of Ray. They’d liked to watch baseball together and he wasn’t altogether sure why they’d split. He played the message.

“Hey. If you still have my number in your phone, you know who this is. I’m in Cedarwood and thought I’d drop by. I’m right outside watching you. If you’d have turned around, you’d have seen me before you went into the shop.”

Watching?He looked up, and Ray stood on the other side of the door, waving.

Jack unlocked the door. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Ray stepped into the shop. “This place hasn’t changed. Not in the three years since we were together. Do you ever consider redecorating? Switching things up a bit?”

“I like the décor.” Jack locked up again and leaned against the counter. Why was it that the moment he had a boyfriend, his exes decided to show up?

“You would.” Ray turned one of the chairs around and sat on it backward. “The food scene is really exploding in San Francisco. This place, drab as it is, would be very chic out there. They like weird little joints. Have you ever considered leaving Cedarwood?”

“I like it here.” He crossed his ankles. “It’s a great place to live.” He stared at Ray, really looking at him. He’d been attracted to this man. Ray tipped his head and raked his fingers through his blond hair. Ray had always been a put-together kind of man. His suits were always tailored to his body. He wore the right cologne and walked with grace. But his attitude could be abrasive. His green eyes twinkled, but Jack could never tell if Ray was laughing at or with him.

“You’re not being challenged. There’s no scene,” Ray said. “You need more than this town.”

“I’m perfectly fine.” Now he remembered why he and Ray hadn’t worked out—Ray wanted him to think bigger than Cedarwood. Ray’s attitude sucked. If Ray wasn’t getting what he wanted, he wasn’t happy and let everyone know it.

“Gourmet dogs—not the simple stuff and this atrocious place. It’s so bland.” Ray stared at him and waved his hand. “Tell me you get gossip. Tell me you get something else out of this place than just slinging awful food. There must be something about this place that keeps you here. You’ve got the goods on someone, right?”

“I hear things, but I don’t remember any of it.” He needed to get to work or he’d be behind. “I’m busy and I don’t talk about what I’m told.”

“You’re too busy for a friend?” Ray asked. “You and I are tight.”

“I’m busy now, yes, but us being tight…Ray, you’re overthinking this.” He didn’t know what Ray wanted, but he wasn’t going to get any information out of him.

“I hear you’re seeing someone.”

“Yes.”That must be what Ray wants—dirt on my dating life. Jesus.

“A chef?”

“No.” God, he was nosy. “A man.” He refused to give any names. For all he knew, Ray had heard rumors and would hunt Henry down.

“Is it serious?”

“It’s new.” He didn’t want to tell Ray much, but his relationship with Henry wasn’t any of his business.

“Good. Then it won’t be a big deal if you have dinner with me.” Ray stood and reached for Jack. “You’re going to because you want to, and we’ll have fun.”

“I can’t,” Jack said and backed up. “I’m busy. Remember?”

“With the boyfriend?”

“No, here.” Reason number two why he and Ray split—Ray demanded his time when he didn’t have any to give. “Come on. You know what goes into prep. I’m the only worker I have right now. You know this. What’s wrong with you?”

“It’s just dinner and you can have someone else come in,” Ray said. He rolled his eyes. “I know you have other workers.”

“No, it’s just me. This is my business and my responsibility. I can’t just walk away when there’s no one else here,” Jack said. “I have too much to get done today, but thanks anyway.”

“You used to be fun,” Ray snapped. “You used to be the guy I liked to hang out with, but you changed.”

“You used to not be a dick.” He opened the door for Ray. “Bye Ray.”

“Ouch.” Ray stood in the open doorway. “You’re mean.”

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