She reached across the table and touched his hand. “You don’t have to say that. You already apologized and I’ve let it go. I was just asking, not hinting or prying.”

“I know, but I still feel like a jerk. We had something great.”

She looked into his eyes and smiled. “Yes, we did.”

“Speaking of great, you look amazing.”

“Thank you. You’re kind of pretty yourself.”

He laughed, that deep, genuine laugh she’d always liked. The one that told her he wasn’t pretending to find her funny.

She studied him, thinking she’d been telling the truth. He did look good. He was more classically handsome than Toby. More polished. Jake had been raised with the kind of expectations that molded a man. In his case, the outcome was impressive.

Their server appeared and told them about the specials, then took their drink orders. When she’d left, Reggie looked at Jake.

“Do you think you make them nervous when they have to serve you? I mean, you’re going to be the general manager here one day, so technically you’re their boss. Or boss-to-be.”

“They can handle the pressure.”

“I wonder if they flip a coin or something to see who has to take the table.”

“Do I get the winner or the loser?”

She laughed. “I have no idea. Which do you want?”

“I’ll take either. We have good people working here. They’re all up to dealing with me.”

“And when is that going to be a permanent thing?” she asked. “Any idea when you’ll be taking over the crown jewel of the Crane family empire?”

“The empire is smaller these days.”

“Do tell.”

“We sold our properties in Savannah and Boston.”

“Why?”

“We want to focus on our West Coast hotels. Those two were outliers.”

No doubt they’d gotten millions and millions from the sales, she thought.

Their server appeared with their drinks. Jake nodded at the pink liquid in her glass.

“You’re such a girl.”

“It’s seasonal,” she protested, holding up her Candy Cane Cooler. “It’s peppermint-infused vodka, brandy, half-and-half and some other yummy things.” She reached for the candy cane carefully placed across the glass. “Plus a treat. What’s not to like? Better than your stuffy Manhattan.”

He laughed again. “I see you haven’t changed.” He raised his glass. “To the girl who got away.”

She smiled. “To the boy who let her go.”

They touched glasses. She took a sip of her drink and sighed.

“As delicious as I remember. So, how’s your mom?”

His humor faded. “She’s doing all right. She still misses my dad.”

“Of course she does. They were together nearly forty years.”

He nodded. “She’s taking more of an interest in the business, which is good. She’s also taking more of an interest in me, which is less good.”