Page 79 of Isabelle & Jason
“I’d rather take each day one at a time. I’d also like to believe that our story isn’t over yet. There are no absolutes.”
“True. And maybe it’s been long enough.”
He froze his progress of filling the cannolis.
“Check in, you know? I’m sure she’d love to catch up.”
“Yeah, maybe.” He’d never admit to the fact that he’d considered doing just that after the lunch with his siblings. Something held him back. Fear. Nerves. Something, but Jason couldn’t think about that right now. Today, he’d be focusing on the fundraiser. Then he could consider his friend’s suggestion. Jason tossed Mark a smile. With that, their conversation shifted to the ranch and the upcoming wedding.
“So, tell me about the wedding. Are you ready?” Jason mused.
“Yeah. We’re going with a fall wedding. Tracy likes the colors that come with the season.”
“Finally,” Jason joked.
“Careful, you might be put in my position one day.” Mark had been more than patient in waiting, and he’d made an excellent point. One day Jason hoped to be planning his own wedding with Isabelle, and he’d hate to have to wait so long for everything to finally align.
Soon the shop opened, and the chaos that ensued was exactly as Jason had expected. A revolving door of people came and went from the café. The tables were constantly full, and guests had moved to some of the tables out in front of the shop. At lunchtime, Nikki had stopped in with her family and was thrilled with how everything was going.
By noon, several of the desserts Jason had made had sold out. They had plenty of items he could pull from the freezer, which meant he’d have to spend Sunday replenishing them.
He barely had time to focus on anything but restocking the glass cases. He made sure to bring Nikki and Mateo their meal in person, allowing himself a reprieve.
The door opened as he placed the food on the table, and he glanced over to welcome the new customer, but then his heart stalled in his chest.
Isabelle locked eyes with him and everything around him faded into nothingness. She was more beautiful than he’d remembered. He’d made it a point to steer clear of the places she liked to go in town because he knew deep down that he wouldn’t be capable of keeping his distance if he saw her.
“Jason,” Nikki said. Her voice sounded far away, like she was speaking to him through a long tunnel. Then a light touch landed on his wrist. “Jason.”
He glanced down at his boss. “Yeah? Sorry.”
Her focus shifted from him to Isabelle and back. “I think you could use a break. You’ve been going since the café opened.”
“No, I’m good?—”
She tilted her head toward Isabelle, who remained at the door. “Take a break. I can cover for you.”
“Your lunch?—”
“It’s not going anywhere,” she assured him. Then quieter, she whispered. “Go to her.”
Jason could feel Mateo’s eyes on him, but he didn’t argue. Swallowing hard, Jason nodded. “Okay. Yeah. Thanks.” He squeezed the back of his neck, then turned toward the love of his life. By the way his pulse skyrocketed, he wasn’t sure he’d survive speaking to her right now, especially if she’d come to tell him never to reach out to her again.
But then why would she go out of her way to say that?
Because anyone who’s scorned would want to have the last word. That was why.
Isabelle didn’t seem the type to be so petty. So why was she here?
His feet felt like they’d been encased in blocks of cement. Jason wondered if he looked as ridiculous as he felt as heshuffled toward her. But then she smiled at him, and his whole world lit up.
“Hey,” he said, his eyes sweeping over her face when he reached her. It had been far too long since he’d seen her, and if this was the last time for a while, he would drink her in.
“Hey,” she parroted. Then she laughed as she glanced past him toward her brother. “Do you think you could take a short walk? I know you’re working,” Isabelle whispered with a grimace, “but I don’t want to lose my nerve now that I’m here.”
One side of his mouth ticked upward. “I think my boss would be okay with me taking a break.” He leaned forward. “In fact, Nikki practically shoved me your way.” His heart was hammering in his chest harder than it should be. Maybe he should call Mathew and get a physical done. The last thing he needed was to drop dead from a heart attack.
She bit down on her lower lip and nodded. “Okay, yeah.” He brushed past her and held open the door. Isabelle exited, and he tossed a glance over his shoulder, catching Mark’s scrutiny. The second their eyes locked, Mark nodded and gave a thumbs up.
