She knew Nick, the owner, from some food service and networkingevents, and she’d delivered a wedding cake here only a few months prior. It hadbeen his newish head chef getting married, so he’d closed the whole restaurantfor the reception. Knowing that, and knowing small places in towns like herscould reinvent themselves and thrive, made her happy on so many levels.
Waitstaff moved efficiently around the room and she tried to snagpeeks at the dishes coming out of the kitchen. At one point, the chef emergedin a white chef coat and hat not unlike the one she wore for deliveries. Drewmade the rounds, chatting with customers. She imagined doing the same when herbakery had enough space for people to sit and enjoy their food. Even though itwasn’t some fancy restaurant, she wanted her customers to feel appreciated,known.
When Drew glanced her way, she smiled. It was cute to see herface register recognition, then process and ultimately land on how they kneweach other. She was glad she wasn’t alone in needing a second sometimes. Shedidn’t expect a conversation, but Drew crossed the dining room to her.
“Amanda, how nice to see you.”
She shook Drew’s extended hand. “Same. How’s married lifetreating you?”
Drew’s face softened and took on the look of someone blissfullyin love. “Better than I imagined.”
“Good.”
“What brings you in tonight?”
Amanda hesitated. She felt silly saying a date, even thoughthat’s exactly what it was. Maybe it was who she was meeting and not the dateitself giving her pause. Either way, weird. “Just meeting a friend for dinner.”
“Nice. How about I send over a little something while you wait?We’ve got a garlic scape pesto bruschetta tonight.”
As delicious as it sounded, she didn’t want to be stuffing herface when Mel arrived. Nor did she want crazy garlic breath. Not that she couldadmit either of those things without outing herself as a liar. “I’m good, butthank you. I’ve already committed to saving myself for dessert.”
Drew grinned. “A woman after my own heart. If you change yourmind, you let Carlton here know and we’ll hook you up.”
She loved the local food industry for a lot of reasons, but thiscamaraderie might be the best part. “Thanks.”
Drew returned to the kitchen. Amanda checked her watch andfrowned. Fifteen minutes late wasn’t the end of the world, but Mel running lategave her the sort of flashbacks she’d just as soon not have.
“Another glass of pinot?” Carlton asked as she started to stew.
She probably shouldn’t, but sitting at the bar alone and withouta drink made her self-conscious. “That would be great. Thank you.”
He poured and she stared into the glass. Would Mel stand her up?Without a text of apology even?
Amanda glanced toward the door, willing herself not to ruminateon that very real possibility. When a familiar face walked in, she had aninstinctive flash of delight before registering the details. It was Quinn, whichon her own, might have been delightful. Only she wasn’t alone. Hanging on herarm like some celebrity at a red carpet was a stunning brunette who couldn’t bea day over thirty.
Amanda looked away, hoping Quinn hadn’t noticed her. But ofcourse the universe couldn’t be that kind. When she stole another glance, Quinnwas looking her way. Quinn raised her hand in a friendly wave, so she did, too.Then she pulled out her phone, hoping desperately Mel had texted her an almost there.
Her phone told her the time and gave her a glimpse of her kidssmiling at her from the photo she’d set as her wallpaper. No message. Noapology. Nothing.
“I’d say funny seeing you here, but I don’t suppose there arethat many places on this side of the lake.”
She didn’t have to look to know it was Quinn behind her. Sheschooled her face into an upbeat expression before turning. “Small towns.”
Quinn, sans date, smiled back at her. “How are you tonight?”
Miserable. Annoyed. Humiliated. “I’m great. You?”
“Pretty good. Are you waiting for someone?”
Amanda tried for a casual shrug. “That’s the plan. Although I’mstarting to fear perhaps they were waylaid.”
Quinn frowned with what appeared to be a mixture of pity andregret. “I’m stuck on a blind date or I’d ask you to join us.”
Humiliation leapfrogged right over annoyance. “That would takethe notion of being a third wheel to a whole new level.”
Quinn’s frown intensified.
“But thank you for the gesture. Really.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Absolutely. I have an in with the chef, so she’ll take care ofme either way.”
Quinn’s frown gave way to a sort of half-smile that brought out adimple in her left cheek. It managed to make her look sexy and adorable at thesame time. “I sort of wish I was here with you, instead.”
The comment could be read a dozen different ways. Althoughtempted to tease it apart, she settled on it being a nice thing to say, even ifit wasn’t true. “Thank you for the sentiment, but please don’t let me keep youfrom your date.”
Quinn glanced over to the table where the woman waited. “I shouldprobably go.”
Amanda waved her away. “Have a good time.”
Quinn excused herself, leaving Amanda alone at the bar with herwine. She looked at her phone again. A full hour late and not even a peep fromMel. She contemplated taking Drew up on her offer, of enjoying a nice dinner onher own. Normally, that wouldn’t bother her. Tonight, though, tonight it madeher feel pathetic.
She asked Carlton for her check and paid, leaving her secondglass of wine half full. She slipped off the stool and headed for the exit,looking in the opposite direction of where she knew Quinn and her date sat. Inher car, the sum of her evening hit her. Since no one was there to see, she leta couple of tears spill over.
So stupid. She wiped them away and drove herself home. Oncethere, she peeled off the dress she’d poured herself into and drew a bath.
Still nothing from Mel.
A twinge of worry played at the back of her mind. What ifsomething terrible had happened? No way was she Mel’s emergency contact,
