Page 30 of Don't Regret Me
Both men fell silent, but it didn’t last long.
Jimmy sighed. “She’s been through a lot. Lizzy. She’s… probably the strongest woman I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. She’s like a daughter to me.”
“I don’t?—”
“Don’t deny it, son. Every few seconds, your eyes go to that kitchen door. We all saw both videos that featured her prominently. Now, I’m not like most of the people in this town. I don’t think a single snapshot in time accurately says anything about us. You are not either of those versions of Nick Jacobs circulating on whatever social media sites people use these days, but I will protect Liz until I am cold in the ground.”
There was nothing Nick could say to take the distrust out of his eyes, no words to explain how a woman he barely knew made him feel like he’d come home for the first time since his brother died.
Bentley put a hand on Nick’s arm. “She’s special. We all know that. But maybe someone who is leaving once his community service is up shouldn’t try to get to know her.”
Both men were coming from a good place. The entire town was. They protected their own and didn’t always trust outsiders. He respected that, but it didn’t stop him from wondering what it would take to make Liz’s lips tug up into a smile. How he could spend more time with her.
If she would ever kiss him again.
The door to the kitchen opened, and his eyes jerked up. A waitress walked out, carrying a tray laden with plates of food. Liz walked behind her with a second tray, coming straight for their table. She didn’t see him at first, her eyes softening for Jimmy.
“I heard you were here, old man.” She set his plate in front of him. “I offered to bring your food out myself since I was ordered to take a five-minute break.” She shifted her gaze. “Pastor.”
“Hey, Liz. How are things going tonight?”
“They’re fine.” But she was no longer looking at him. Her eyes locked with Nick’s. “What… you shouldn’t… didn’t you cause enough trouble last time you were here?”
Her wince told him she’d meant to say something else.
“No trouble.” He held his hands up in surrender. “I promise.”
“We’ll keep him in line, Lizzy.” Jimmy laughed, reaching over to pat Nick’s back.
She set the last plate down. “You better. If you don’t, he might go around punching people. Or worse, letting them kiss him.” Her cheeks blazed red, and she turned on one heel, practically running back to the kitchen.
Jimmy and Bentley stared at Nick in open shock.
“Well,” Jimmy started, “if I know anything, it’s that there’s nolettingthat woman do anything.”
14
ELIZABETH
He came back.
Four nights in a row now.
Every night, Nick sat at the same table, much to the dismay of the hosts, who had to make room for their celebrity guest.
He never asked to see the chef, never made any problems, just as he’d promised.
Usually, he came alone, always at the same time.
Eventually, she found herself waiting for him to show up, glancing at the clock as she did her work. The moment it hit seven o’clock, she peered out the tiny window on the kitchen door and watched him. He was right there, the man she’d fallen so completely in love with. And yet, he wasn’t there at all.
“You should talk to him.” Matthew stood beside her. He’d come back from the host stand just to see if she noticed Nick sitting out there. Her coworkers had grown way too fond of the man, way too invested in a love story that didn’t exist.
“He hasn’t asked to talk to me.”
Matthew scoffed. “As good as the food is, he isn’t eating dinner here every night just to soothe his risotto cravings.”
“Liz?” One of the hostesses barged through the door, sending Liz and Matthew jumping out of the way.
