“Oh, brother.” With a long sigh, I walked toward the hallway. These guys thought I’d be having sex tonight. I doubted that. But I’d manscape, just in case.
SIX
WREN
“How should I take this?” While sitting on the couch in my apartment, I read the card Eli had given me. Was tonight a date or not? If it were, should I have agreed to it?
“Good Lord, Wren. You’re overthinking this.” With a huff, Grace fell in beside me. “Here, let me see it again.” She examined the card and read the front aloud. “You are special to me.” She opened the card and continued. “Wren, we meant something to each other once. I’d like to show you the man I’ve become. Can you give me a chance? Please let me know if you’ll accept my invitation to dinner this evening at Kabuki in the Tempe Marketplace. I know how much you love sushi, and this is my treat.” She set the card on the coffee table.
“Well?” I crossed my arms and tapped my index finger on my elbow. If he was paying, it sounded like a date.
“I think he’s still trying to make amends for what happened. I don’t see this as a date necessarily.” She shifted to face me. “You’re meeting him, right?”
“I am.” I pressed my lips together. I didn’t know what I wanted right now. It was so confusing.
“I think you’ll have to play this by ear and listen to him. It seems to me, you two haven’t spoken much yet. This is yourchance to figure out your feelings.” She grabbed my hand. “Wren, if you both still care about each other, it’s worth it to give it a shot.”
“What if he breaks my heart again?” I clutched my t-shirt over my chest as an ache permeated me. He could destroy me if I let myself open to him again.
“What if he doesn’t? Suppose he’s your person, and the universe brought you together again in this time and place?” She raised a brow.
“You’ve been reading too many romance novels. That doesn’t happen.” I glanced at the card. Eli had put a lot of effort into showing me he’d changed.
“Do you really think this is a coincidence?” She came in close, locking her gaze on mine. “This is no coincidence. This is the universe giving you a second chance. For fuck's sake, take it.” She freed my hand and hopped off the couch. “Go with an open mind and an open heart.” She strolled into the kitchen. “If you’re meeting him at six, you'd better get ready.”
“Shit.” I hopped off the couch. I needed to shower. I wanted to look my best for this, whatever it was, even if it went nowhere.
I was a bundle of nerves.Why had I agreed to this? I wiped my sweaty palms on my thighs and strode to the sidewalk between the squat, squarish buildings, tall palm trees and modern fountains. As I approached the iron door under the metal awning for the restaurant, Eli waited with his hands stuffed in the pockets of his designer jeans, his button-down shirt pulling tight across his shoulders and open enough to expose the groove between his pecs.
As a shy grin formed on his mouth, he dipped his head and stepped toward me. “Hi, Wren.” He held his arm out.
God, he was dressed up and looked amazing. I side-huggedhim. “Hi, Eli.” I didn’t need to start this off with one of his tender bear hugs. I had to keep my wits about me.
“Shall we go inside? I got reservations.” He opened the door and waved me in.
When had he gotten reservations? Surely, he hadn’t gotten them before I’d answered him. Or had he been so sure I’d agree, he had? I watched him speak with the hostess, who showed us to a booth along the wall.
I slid across the beige vinyl seat and scanned the restaurant. It had a modern Asian vibe with large red pendant lamps hanging overhead. The room was quickly getting full, with only a few tables left. I pulled my menu close. I’d eaten sushi with Eli in high school, and we’d always shared the menu items. Was he trying to recreate that?
“Want to share some rolls and nigiri?” He picked up his menu, obscuring his face.
“I suppose so.” I reviewed the menu, noting the rolls that sounded interesting.
“You always liked the spicy scallop hand rolls.” He set his menu down and offered a warm smile. “Do you still?”
“Uh, yes.” If I were a dog, I’d have raised hackles. I had to relax. Eli hadn’t invited me here to hurt me.
“Are you drinking tonight? Should we share one of those big Japanese beers?” He rubbed his chin.
“Sure.” Maybe a little alcohol could ease my tension. “Whichever one you want, I’m not picky.” I sipped the water set on the table.
When the server arrived, we ordered our beer, a few rolls and some nigiri.
I threaded my fingers across the table’s honey-colored wood. It was time to talk. My gaze crept to his. “What did you want to discuss?”
With a shrug, he said, “I, uh, wanted to get to know you again.” He unwrapped his chopsticks and pulled them apart. “How’s your mom?”
“She’s fine. Her real estate business is having record sales. I guess a lot of people from California are moving into Oregon.” Okay, this was easy. I breathed in deeply as the server set our beers on the table with two glasses.
