Page 38 of Austen, Edited

“This is Jeff Summers. He lives down the block from my aunt and uncle.” She didn’t want to admit this was a date because she was basically there against her will.

Carson stepped forward, his hand outstretched. “Awesome. Wait, Summers as in SP Shoes?”

Jeff smiled the most genuine smile she’d seen all day. “That’s the one. My dad is the CEO.” He paused tapping his chin. “Carson Carver. I’m surprised I haven’t met you until now. My dad has connections with a bunch of the sports teams in Boston.”

“Well, I did just come back last season to play for the Breeze, so that might be the reason. One of your reps brought in some new shoes the other day. They’re amazing. Perfect after a long day on the ice.”

“That’s the truth. I was trying to tell Abby I’d get her some, but she shot me down.” Jeff pointed a thumb at Abby, making her feel like she was just some random girl he’d brought to one of the nicest restaurants in Boston.

Carson turned to Abby with a smile. “You’re missing out if you don’t take him up on it. Well, it was good to see you and meet you. I’ve got to head out and meet Ruby, but I hope you both enjoy your food. I’ll see you around, Abby.” He waved as he took long strides in the direction of the door. If only he could’ve taken her with him.

The space between Jeff’s eyebrows disappeared, and he looked like he’d tasted something bitter. “How do you know Carson?”

Abby took another sip of water and smoothed out the napkin on her skirt, thanking the waitress as she left the salads in front of each of them. At least with food in front of them, maybe they wouldn’t have to talk as much.

“I met him at a company party last week. He was on that reality TV show this past summer that my work sponsored.” Abby stuck her fork into the lettuce, dabbing the ends of it into the ranch.

“Where do you work?” he asked, stuffing a large forkful into his mouth.

Abby placed her hand over her mouth until she swallowed, not wanting to show him her half-chewed food, no matter how irritating he was.

“Love, Austen. It’s a matchmaking company over on Beacon. I just started a few weeks ago, but I’ve really liked it so far.” Abby smiled wide, thinking about how awesome her job was. Never in a million years would she have thought she could have met someone like Carson, an NHL superstar, or even the creator of a popular fitness app, like Brennen. And Lexi, the food truck driver. It was amazing the kind of talents they all had.

“Matchmaking company, huh? Do they let you try their services for free?” Jeff’s eyes were intense, and Abby had to look down to avoid the anxious feeling she got from them.

“No, I’m the writer and copy editor. Meg, the owner, gave me a quick tour when I first started and I took a test, but I’m not interested in all that right now. I’m just trying to make it to graduation.”

Jeff leaned back in his chair, his lips curled. “What do you want to do after you graduate?”

Abby sagged against the back of the seat, grateful he hadn’t said what she’d thought he was going to say, something like,Well, you won’t have to get matched.

The main course arrived, and she was grateful in some way, but also wondering if this was going to be the longest dinner she’d ever had in her life.

“I haven’t really thought about it yet. I’m hoping to continue with Love, Austen, and then we’ll see where things go.” She took a few bites of the Fettucine, holding back a moan of satisfaction at the flavors. This was way better than the bottled kinds she’d been cooking for herself the last few years. “What about you?”

“I’ll probably keep working for my dad. It’s hard for him to fire me, you know what I mean? I made it all of a week with my stepdad’s company in Maryland before he was done.”

Abby frowned. “What did you do to get fired?”

“Let’s just say I’m not a morning person and missed whatever meetings were scheduled before lunch.”

What a tool.

The dinner slowly passed, and when the waitress asked if they wanted dessert, Abby shook her head emphatically, hoping to get home as soon as possible.

They didn’t talk during the drive back. Some weird rap music blared on Jeff’s radio, making it so she couldn’t hear him even if he was trying to talk to her.

When they pulled up alongside her dorm building, Jeff put the car in park but didn’t move to unbuckle his seat belt. “Thanks for coming out with me. I know I can be a little blunt and brash sometimes. You’re the first girl who hasn’t walked out on a dinner with me.”

“Then why do you do that?” Abby couldn’t imagine why he’d want to put himself through that kind of heartache. Maybe it didn’t affect him like it did her. Every time she thought about it, it reminded her of Greyson taking off with Hannah.

“I guess it’s to see how much a girl can take.” He paused and glanced out the front window. “Growing up as the son of a billionaire shoemaker hasn’t always been easy. It’s interesting to see how people react when someone isn’t putting on a front.”

Abby turned toward him, trying to decide what was going on. It was as if a complete switch had just taken place in him, and that sympathy she’d felt for him at brunch the other day wormed back in just a bit.

In some ways, she was grateful she wasn’t in the public eye like Jeff, or Lance, or even Greyson, even though he tried not to admit it much. To have everything she did scrutinized wouldn’t go over well.

“So, everything you told me at dinner was all just to get a reaction out of me? None of it was true?” Anger rolled through her, and she took in a deep breath to keep from shouting.

“Not everything. I mean, I lasted at my stepdad’s company for over six months before getting fired.”

She turned toward the building, not sure what to say to that. She wasn’t a fan of being lied to, and Jeff was admitting the ones he’d shared. Maybe if she just forgave him and moved on, he wouldn’t want to go on another date.

“I need to get inside. I’ve got a bunch of classes in the morning and a paper to finish up.” She opened the door and smiled at him. “Thanks for dinner.”

She hurried into the safety of her dorm, ready to sleep and be done with the rest of the day. What she wouldn’t give to curl up next to Greyson and watch a movie right now.

---