Blondie replied, “That sounds heavenly.”
All Cole could think about was getting Cricket alone so he could find out what happened to her all those years ago, and more importantly, why she didn’t seem as thrilled to see him as he was to see her. Ignoring the obvious was hard. It wasn’t only that she did not seem excited to see him, but she also wasn’t a scrawny little girl anymore. Cri…Jade, he corrected himself, had grown up into a stunning young woman. Her eyes, round and doe-like in shape, had always intrigued him. And, while they looked tired, strained even, there was something else in those haunted eyes that added to her attractiveness. It was calling out to him. Cole continued to watch her as she took down everyone’s order. He didn’t snap out of his dreamlike trance until she spoke to him again. “Mr. Thornton what would you like to drink?”
He almost choked as he laughed. People who worked for him called him Mr. Thornton but Cricket? Though he hadn’t seen her in years, it still sounded absurd coming from her. She was way too tense. She had always been incredibly shy, maybe that was it. His friends seemed more than a little interested in their reunion and it probably was making her nervous. Of course, after almost ten years, she may have learned how to manage it. Instead of saying what he was really thinking, Cole downplayed his excitement. “Yes. Just bring me whatever they are having.”
Jade smiled tightly as she scribbled his order on her notepad. “Great! Please give me a few minutes and I’ll bring your drinks and appetizers right out.”
She turned, and as her legs carried her away from the table, it seemed like everything around her faded to black. Was she having an outer body experience? Was that really Cole? While there was plenty of activity in the background, she wasn’t aware of any of it. Why? Because Cole Thornton was here. He was in her restaurant. Over the years, Jade had dreamed of what it would be like to see him again, but it was never with him looking so polished, wearing a designer suit and a million watt smile. Her dream meeting was a little more realistic; she would slap the hell out of him for abandoning her.
When Jade made it back to the kitchen, she looked down at her practical uniform, black slacks and polo. Not only was Cole still the most good-looking man she’d ever seen, she really did look like death warmed over. The wayward strand of hair had fallen back into her face again. She blew at it. There was just too much going on in both her mind and body. Out of nowhere, she started to see yellow spots. Jade bent over and placed her hands on her knees then closed her eyes. She inhaled sharply.
Brenda walked back into the kitchen just in time to see Jade doubled over. “That’s it. I’m going to tell Mario you can barely stand up. You need to go home now.”
She waved her off. “No…no. Don’t Brenda. I only have an hour or so left.” Jade stood upright again. “While almost every part of my body hurts, my more immediate problem is a guy at table two. Can you switch with me? I’ll take your worst customer.”
“You are one stubborn girl do you know that?” Brenda thought it over as she rubbed slow circles on Jade’s back in a motherly fashion. “I would give you table eighteen with the set of twins that are destroying my station but I feel so sorry for you. I’ll give you table twelve instead. It’s an older couple just out for dessert.”
“Thanks, Bren. I promise I’ll make it up to you.” Over the next hour, Jade fought through feeling horrendous, but took solace in the fact that she’d also managed to evade Cole Thornton.
*****
Cole was surprised and a bit irritated when the waitress returned and it wasn’t Cricket. Where had she gone? And why did she not want to see him? His mood grew increasingly sour as the evening continued.
His friend and business partner, Doug Hudson, nudged him. “I can’t believe that we just landed one of the largest contracts I’ve ever been a part of negotiating, and you’re sitting here like you’ve lost your best friend. We should be celebrating!”
Cole’s girlfriend, Elise McGee didn’t seem pleased either. She scooted closer to him and lightly touched his arm with her perfectly manicured hand. “I surely hope you didn’t let that slip of a girl ruin your evening. Apparently, whatever friendship you thought you had was all in your head.”
He placed his hand over hers. Elise had no idea what she was talking about, and he wasn’t going to explain it to her. Instead, he addressed the real issue. “Sweetheart, there is no reason for you to be jealous.” Everyone at his table had been born with a silver spoon in their mouths. They had no idea he’d been raised in a group home. Or that his childhood was more than a little messed-up, and how Cricket fit into that life, keeping him sane during those years.
Elise kissed his cheek leaving behind a bright, red lipstick mark on his jaw line. Gently she used her thumb to wipe it off. “I’m sure any insecurities I might have will all disappear as soon as you put a ring on my finger.”
Cole laughed nervously. He wasn’t even remotely ready for marriage and probably never would be. “I thought I was a pretty generous guy, but if my gifts are not enough—I can have my assistant buy you that pretty little dinner ring we saw last week.”
She pouted. “You know that’s not what I meant.”
Doug laughed. “No Cole, she wants a ring on that finger.” Doug’s wife, Carmen, elbowed him in his side. He’d obviously had one drink too many. Carmen remained quiet as she sipped
