Tanner groaned. He was knee deep right now and had hauled Anita in with him. He should have talked to Heatherhimself, like he’d planned to if she ever showed back up. But like last time, he’d panicked, and now he’d embarrassed Anita in front of Jasper. “Forget you saw what you saw. Please?”
The old man’s eyes widened a bit. “Are you saying you and Anita are a secret?”
“No. I mean yes.” There was no point in trying to convince Jasper that he and Anita weren’t together.
Jasper grinned. “Well then, your secret’s safe with me.”
Tanner wanted insurance. “Swear to me you won’t tell a soul.”
“Boy,” Jasper said, his eyes narrowing, every trace of humor instantly gone. “I don’t swear on anything or to anyone. My word is as good as gold.”
“Yes, sir.” Tanner stood straight. “Understood.”
“I’m hungry.” Jasper ambled to his usual table. “Make sure you give me extra taters today.”
“Yes, sir,” he repeated.
He headed to the kitchen to check on Anita. She was standing in front of the tea dispenser, but she hadn’t poured any. He walked over to her, filled with remorse. “Are you okay?”
She nodded but didn’t look at him as she filled Jasper’s tea glass. Her cheeks were the color of Red Delicious apples. No, she wasn’t okay.
“I’m sorry,” he said, feeling worse than a jerk.
When she glanced at him, her eyes were filled with confusion . . . and her lips were parted in a way that made him want to kiss her again. What was wrong with him? She had shocked him when she initiated the kiss. But that wasjust for Heather’s benefit, no matter how much he wished differently.
She turned to him, composed now. “Don’t apologize. We got rid of Heather, didn’t we?”
Her calm words helped him relax. “Yes. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She swallowed. “That’s what friends are for.”
Friends. That kiss had been miles away from friendly—to him anyway.
“Don’t worry about Jasper,” he said. “I talked to him, and he won’t tell anyone what happened. The last thing we need is for the whole town to get the wrong idea.”
Anita paused, her brows furrowing the tiniest bit. Then she said, “He’s probably wondering what’s taking me so long. Jasper’s not the most patient man.” She left the kitchen, and he heard her say, “Sorry this took so long, Mr.Mathis. We were so busy earlier that I had to make some more tea. Are you having a good day today?”
He had to hand it to her, she was talking with Jasper like nothing had happened. Like the kiss didn’t mean anything to her. He touched his mouth. He couldn’t say the same for himself.
The diner was busy for the rest of the evening. Not an overwhelming crowd, but enough that there was no time to talk to Anita alone. Even though she had absolved him, he felt the urge to apologize again.
“Can I give you a ride home?” he asked as soon as Pamela was out the door.
“I can walk.” She continued mopping the dining room floor.
“I’ll finish that up.” He walked over to her.
She dunked the mop into the bucket of soapy water. “I’ll do it.”
“Anita.” He grabbed the mop handle, but he didn’t try to take it away from her. “I really am sorry.”
Finally she looked up at him with a strained smile. “It’s no big deal.”
“You seem upset.”
“I’m just tired.”
“Then let me take you home—”
