Page 26 of The Off-limits Grump Next Door
Jake leaned in, a mischievous glint in his eye. "So, is there something going on between you two that I should know about?"
I rolled my eyes. "No."
Antonio said, "Yes," at the same time, his eyes locked on mine.
I shot him a warning look. "No, there's not."
Lily appeared at my side, a warm smile on her face. "Hey, Kendra, how's it going? I see we've got some familiar faces today."
I smiled back at her. "Yeah, just taking their orders."
Lily nodded. "Great. Well, I hope you play nice with Antonio today... he’s the reason you got your job back." She announced, before heading off to attend to a customer who was calling for attention.
I felt my eyes widen in surprise, as I turned from Lily’s retreating figure to Antonio, who was watching me with an unreadable expression.
"Why?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Antonio shrugged. "I just felt bad about what happened. You didn't deserve to lose your job over it."
“Thank you.” I replied, turning away before he could see my face flush.
As I delivered their drinks and continued taking orders, I couldn't help but steal glances at Antonio… and I couldn’t do anything to control the pace of my heartbeat.
Was I ready to let my guard down and give him a chance, to see if the connection between us was more than just a lingering college crush? Or was I just setting myself up for heartache?
Chapter Twelve
Antonio
As I waited for Kendra to finish her shift, Jake leaned against the counter, chatting with me.
"So, you're finally taking a break from the winery, huh?" he said.
I nodded. "Yeah, it's been a wild ride, but I think things are getting back under control... a little bit. That is, assuming my mother doesn't wake up to make more unrealistic demands.”
"Well, I hope she doesn't. You look like you've aged in the last couple of weeks.”
I quickly looked around until my eyes caught my reflection in a glass... I didn’tlookaged, but there were noticeable bags under my eyes, and my hair seems thinner. My hand went unconsciously to smooth it.
"I think I’ll be spending the next week at the apartment."
Jake raised an eyebrow. "Why? I expected you to go on some relaxing vacation, take care of yourself a bit... get a tan, party, let loose?”
I chuckled at the suggestion. "That's your idea of relaxation. You know I'd rather spend my time indoors, alone. Just the thought of being in that little studio apartment already relaxes me."
"You mean the thought of having Kendra just an arm’s length away relaxes you," Jake teased, making a face that made me want to laugh, but I didn’t. Laughing would only encourage him.
So, I kept a straight face. "No. I mean I'd like nothing more than to stay indoors and chill with my TV."
"Yet here you are, patiently waiting for Kendra," he replied, winking. "Come on, man, we're best friends. Tell me, what's the plan?"
I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "No plan, Jake. Just running into her, that's all."
"Why?" he asked, suddenly serious.
"Why what?"
"Why don't you have a plan? I thought you said you liked this one?"
