He waved, then climbed into his car. I hurried to the kitchen, trying to make sense of whatever it was I’d felt under Simon’s gaze. It just felt different. A little too intense, maybe? Like he was looking a little too closely. Whatever it was, I forced it from my mind. I had bigger things to think about. Like a wedding and a reception and a grouchy French chef who really, really wanted his lettuce.

Simon: Lettuce delivered. Crisis averted.

Jamie: Thanks, man. I appreciate you covering for me.

Simon: It wasn’t a problem. I could walk to the inn from my backyard.

Jamie: Don’t get any ideas.

Simon: ??

Jamie: About Lane.

Simon: Right. Because Karen would be totally fine with that.

Jamie: Karen. The name sounds familiar.

Simon: Ha.

Jamie: I know I should know who she is, but . . .

Simon: Yeah, funny.

Jamie: She shouldn’t be so easy to forget, man. When was the last time you even talked to her?

Simon: Got a letter last week. She’s on a new dig.

Jamie: ???

Simon: Yemen. Three months. She’ll be home after this one.

Jamie: Until she leaves again.

Simon: Maybe not.

Jamie: It’s time to give her a reason to stay, man.

Jamie: Carpe diem!

Jamie: Live like you’re dying.

Jamie: Take the bull by the horns.

Jamie: Live la vida loca.

Jamie: Take the plunge.

Simon: You know you’re a jerk, right?

Jamie: Yes. Yes, I do.

Chapter 5

Jamie showed up on my doorstep Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. sharp. He was still wearing his shirt and tie from church, his white sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his tie loose. He held up a brown paper grocery bag. “Dessert, as promised,” he said through the screen door.

I pushed the door open and stood to the side so he could come in. “You look nice.” Much nicer than my jeans and loose V-neck, but since I was sure I had the edge on comfort, I wasn’t feeling bad about it. “No time to change this afternoon?”

“None. I had a meeting thing after church, then I had to do this dinner thing with Dave and his fiancée, and then I headed straight over here.” He held up the bags. “You ready to eat this now? If not, I can stick it in the fridge.”

“The answer will always be now with me, Jamie. When it comes to food, always yes. Always now.”

“Noted.” He followed me into the kitchen, where he set the bag on the table and pulled out a large plastic dish with a bright-purple lid, followed by two smaller containers. “You like your cheesecake with raspberry sauce or chocolate sauce?”

I pulled a couple of plates out of the cabinet and grabbed some forks, setting them on the table beside him. “Did you hear anything I just said?”