“That I don’t want to go on this date tomorrow night my mom and the girls have set up for me.”
“Who do youwantto go out with?”
“Jacob,” I said without hesitation. “I want to date Jacob.”
Chapter 14
“So do you know what you’re going to prepare next week?” Jacob asked as I set a mug of black coffee in front of him.
I took the chair opposite him and tugged my light-weight sweater around me. April in the Pacific Northwest meant cool spring mornings. I added cream and sugar to my coffee then settled back in the metal outdoor chair.
“Chicken is on sale today. So I’m thinking Cilantro Lime Chicken for Monday night, and Chicken Manicotti for Wednesday.”
“Sounds delicious.”
I blew on my coffee then took a sip. “You can always come by and participate.”
Jacob grimaced. “I don’t know when my last date night is yet. But if it’s not one of those nights, I’d love to come watch you work.”
I knew my cheeks were probably red…but I liked hearing him say those words. “Good.”
“You have enough canvases and paints for your Tuesday and Thursday classes?” he asked. “Or do you have to run to the store?”
I nodded. “I’m going to—”
“Mom? You out here?”
I gasped and turned in my chair.
“There you are!” Brody shut the French doors and started to amble over to where I sat. “I hope it’s okay I stopped by. I needed some laundry done and—”
Brody broke off when he finally spotted Jacob sitting across from me. The kid was obviously oblivious to the world around him, or he was just so used to me being alone he didn’t stop to think I might be outside talking with someone else.
I smoothed down my hair. “Brody, this is Jacob, the new renter for the cottage.”
Did my voice sound weird?
“Hey man,” Brody said as he leaned over and shook Jacob’s hand. “Nice meeting you.”
“You, too,” Jacob said. “Your mom has talked a lot about you.”
“Nothing too cheesy, I hope.” Brody laughed as he sat down in an empty chair around the table. “Anyway, I was kinda hoping I could drop off my laundry and maybe crash here tonight?”
He gave me a hopeful look.
I laughed softly. “Of course. I wasn’t expecting you this weekend. Believe it or not I don’t have any food prepared for you to take back.”
Brody shrugged. “That’s cool.”
“Why’re youreallyhere?” I asked.
“Whaddya mean? I told you I needed to wash some clothes.”
I gave him my best mom stare. “I’ve known you my entire life. I birthed you. I know when—”
Brody held up his hands and laughed. “Okay. Okay. Now look, don’t go reading into this, but Jayden invited me to her parent’s house for dinner tonight. I thought I’d go and then stay the night with you.”
I whistled. “I didn’t realize you and Jayden were hooking up again.”
