Taking pictures always worked as an escape from thinking about anything other than lining up the best shot, and it worked for me today. Dylan was forgotten as I got some terrific shots of the waterfalls and surrounding landscape.
Chad hadn’t been waitingfor me when I returned home, nor was his car at Vincennes when I got there. Although it surprised me he’d not made an appearance, some of the tension I’d felt from expecting another confrontation eased. Maybe he’d gotten the message. We didn’t start getting busy until around five, and I spent my first hour restocking the bar.
A few minutes before five, I made a quick trip to the restroom before things started hopping. Saturday nights were always crazy, and I loved it that way. I redid my ponytail, gathering the strands that had come loose. I headed back to the lounge, happy that my ex wasn’t being a PITA. Maybe Dylan would stop by tonight. Still hadn’t made up my mind about him, but I was kind of excited about seeing him.
Scanning the room to see who had arrived, I rolled my eyes. Considering my poor track record with men, I should know better by now than to expect it would have been that easy. I grabbed a bottle of pale ale, opened it, then slammed it down in front of Chad.
“Hey, baby,” the jerk said as if last night had never happened.
As if the police hadn’t been called, totally embarrassing me. Ignoring him, I turned to Autumn and Brian as they walked up. “Hey, you two.” I wasn’t crazy about Brian, but Autumn loved him, so I kept my opinion to myself. Since I knew they liked eating at the bar, I set out silverware and napkins.
“Love that dress. Can I borrow it sometime?” It was the same blue as her eyes and really made them pop.
“No, you may not. Last time I loaned you my clothes, you spilled red wine down my favorite blouse.”
I rolled my eyes. “That was four years ago. I’ve grown up since then.”
She blew me an air kiss before darting a quick glance at Chad, then turning a raised brow to me.Why’s he here?she mouthed.
“Later,” I said, making the universal sign with my hand to my ear that I’d call her.
“Jenn, got a minute?” Chad said.
“Nope.” I handed Autumn and Brian the specials menu. The regular one they had memorized, as had most of the locals. “Angelo’s got those lamb chops tonight,” I said as I poured each of them a glass of merlot. Brian perked up, which I knew he would. Angelo marinated the chops all afternoon, then crusted them to perfection over a grill. They were pretty darn good.
Brian pushed his menu back to me. “Sign me up.”
“I think I’ll have veal piccata,” Autumn said.
“Of course you will.” She rarely ordered anything else. “Savannah ever call back?”
“Nope.” We’d tried calling her on my phone this afternoon, getting her voice mail. We were worried about Savannah. The first few years, we heard from her all the time. Lately, not so much, and that was worrisome. She was supposed to be home for Autumn’s wedding, so hopefully we could reassure ourselves that she was okay.
“Jenn, please. I need to talk to you.”
I put in the orders for Brian and Autumn before walking over to Chad. If I kept ignoring him, he’d get mad and make a scene. “I’m busy and there’s nothing left to say. If you want dinner, then order something. If not, you’re taking up a seat and there are people waiting.”
He put his hand over mine. “I don’t know what I did wrong, baby, but whatever it was, I’m sorry. Forgive me?”
The urge to bang my head on the bar was almost irresistible, but I settled for pulling my hand away. “Fine. I forgive you. Now go away.” A couple I didn’t recognize came in, and I moved away to take care of them. How did you break up with a guy who refused to listen?
After making drinks for the latest arrivals, I checked on the rest of my customers, refilling glasses and taking orders. I refused to glance Chad’s way, but I could feel his glare on me.
While I was refilling Brian and Autumn’s wineglasses, Brandy brought out their salads. “Saw your car at the grocery store this afternoon. I walked up and down all the aisles but couldn’t find you,” she said.
“That’s because I wasn’t there.”
“Well, your car was.”
“No, it was with me at the water…” I glanced at Chad. Yep, he was listening. “Oh right, I did run in to pick up a few things.”
Autumn gave me a funny look, knowing I was lying. That was the second time someone had said they’d seen my car somewhere I wasn’t. Unless somebody had stolen my car to make a quick run to the store and then returned it, there was a person running around with one like mine. Since I didn’t know of a local who had a silver Mustang, it must be a tourist.
“Jenn!”
I sighed when Chad held up his empty beer bottle. I wanted to tell him to bug off, but he was a customer and this wasn’t the place to make a scene. When I slid another beer to him, he grabbed my wrist. The next time I came near him, I was going to bring a fork with me so I could stab his hand when he grabbed me.
“Come on, baby. I said I was sorry. How long you going to punish me?”
