Déjà Date (11 page)

My cell phone beeped in my hand, and I checked the screen:
Hang tight. New appetizers will be hand-delivered shortly. And we need to talk tonight.

A warm feeling washed over me since Nate was rescuing me yet again. First my dog who’d run after the cat, now my girls’ night. He was going to deserve a medal soon. Or a kiss. Or ten kisses. . . .

I texted back:
Thank you SO much. Really.

Moments later, my phone beeped:
Anytime, princess. See you shortly.

My belly fluttered since he’d again used the nickname my dad had dubbed me. I could get very attached to him calling me that. Maybe it was because we’d been best friends growing up or something, but although we’d only just started dating, my heart already felt fully invested in Nate, which was both exciting and scary at the same time.

“Let’s get this party started!” Avery danced into the kitchen with Ginger following behind her, then she pulled several items out of her red patent leather tote bag. “Lookie what I brought.”

My first guest had arrived, which left me speechless. Well, technically she was the second guest since Ginger lived here. I couldn’t believe this was happening that girl friends wanted to come hang out with me. It seemed unreal and part of me wanted to hide in the other room in case they somehow realized they’d made a mistake by coming and bolted. Me? Insecure? Maybe just a
lot
.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, my gaze dropped to the bottles in Avery’s hand. “What are those for?”

She gestured to the purple streaks in her shoulder-length hair, which she wore pulled back at the bakery but had styled down tonight. “I catch you staring at my hair all the time. Don’t you dare deny you do.”

My immediate reaction was to protest. But Avery would just pin me down anyway, so I went to the fridge and shrugged. “It’s such a beautiful color.” I opened the refrigerator door and pulled out a bottle of champagne, hoping a (very full) glass would calm my nerves. “I can’t figure out how you keep the streaks so vibrant.”

“I dye it every week.” She used a tone that said she thought everyone would know that was how you retained the color. “As you will also have to or believe me, the color will fade. Oh, did I mention the surprise I promised you tonight? We’re dying a lock of your hair purple.
Surprise
!”

I gaped at her happy grin. “I can’t dye my hair purple.”

She held the bottles higher. “Why not? I have everything you need.”

The doorbell rang again, so I glanced at my roommate.

Ginger raised a finger. “I’ll get that. But first, I have to state for the record that a purple lock would look fabulous with your blond hair.”

I couldn’t believe they were ganging up on me! Even though the color of Avery’s hair was beautiful, I couldn’t dye my hair purple for a lot of reasons. Tons. Now I just needed to come up with one. . . .

“I’ll think about it,” I said, hoping I could stall her while I figured out what was holding me back. I really did have hair envy, but people would notice me if I had purple hair. They might even stare at the color like I’d done with Avery’s. If they looked too closely they’d see my imperfections, so it was safer to keep under the radar.

Avery took the champagne flute I handed her. “Don’t worry. A few of these and your fear will fly right out the window,” she said.

“Fear?” I frowned, pouring a glass of champagne for Ginger and whoever had knocked on the door. Avery was so off base. “I’m not afraid.”

She raised a brow. “Then why won’t you say yes?”

I stared at her pretty purple hair, wondering how she’d ever had the guts to dye so many streaks. But I was not as brave as she was, so I raised a shoulder. “It’s just not . . . me.”

“I’m not buying that excuse, but it’s your choice.” Avery took a sip of champagne, then eyed the dining room table strangely. “Uh, what happened there?”

“Don’t ask, but also don’t eat any of it,” I said, then twisted around as my old co-worker Ellen Holbrook came into the room.

Ellen was a pretty woman, who looked like the typical girl next door. She had dirty-blond hair, green eyes, and a majorly protruding baby belly that made me wonder how she managed to say upright. She’d always been polite to me at the office when we’d worked together, but I’d never been included in her in-group social outings no matter how much I’d wanted to be. Seeing her here actually made me feel like an intruder at my own party, and I once again felt the urge to go hide in my room.

Her mouth turned upward in a polite smile. “Hi, Melinda. It’s nice to see you.”

“You, too.” I forced an awkward smile, wondering if my nerves had ever been this frazzled before.

“Hellooo!” A cheerful voice rang out then Mary Ann burst into the room. She threw her arms around Ellen. “I’m so glad you made it! Look at how adorable you are.” She patted Ellen’s belly, then turned to me. “Hey, you.” She hugged me next, wearing a big smile, then faced Avery. “You must be Avery. I’m Mary Ann. You probably don’t remember me, but we met at Bernie’s Bakery. I bought a chocolate croissant.”

Avery nodded in approval. “You have good taste.”

“Uh, oh. Do I want to ask what happened here?” Mary Ann gestured toward the dining table, then put her index finger to her chin. “Why do I have the feeling that cute little Fudge had something to do with this?”

“I’m so sorry.” I raised both hands, feeling terrible that my guests didn’t have goodies to snack on. I had to be the worse first-time hostess ever. “More
hors d’oeuvres are on their way, though. I promise.” I checked my watch as if to prove it, hoping Nate would arrive soon with replenishments.

“May I get you something to drink?” I asked Ellen, then my gaze flicked to Avery who was showing Mary Ann the purple dye she’d brought for my hair. A small pang shot through me as I realized how tempted I was to dye a lock of my hair purple, which I never would’ve considered a week ago. What was happenening to me?

“A glass of water would be great. Thanks.” Ellen set her handbag on the counter, then slid onto a barstool. She turned to watch the other gals walk into the living room, then focused back on me. “I heard that you’re still looking for permanent work.”

“I am.” I pressed the glass against the ice dispenser on the fridge, thinking about how badly I wanted that permanent job to be owning and running Bernie’s Bakery.

“I know of a position available if you’re interested.”

“Oh?” I moved the glass to the water dispenser, then turned over my shoulder to look at Ellen. “Where?”

“Woodward Systems Corporation, actually.” She nodded at my surprised expression, then she ran a hand over her belly. “Henry and I’ve talked. . . His business is doing well enough that we don’t
need
my income. So, I’ve decided I’m not going back to work after the baby’s born. I’m going to be a stay-at-home mommy.”

My gaze immediately fell to Ellen’s super swollen belly. Out of nowhere, the image of me being pregnant popped into my brain. Then Nate’s jade-green eyes appeared in my mind. He was smiling down at me, rubbing his hand over my big belly, while feeding me a bite of chocolate marshmallow fudge bar. My heart swelled, and a flutter rippled through me.

“I’ve already given Kaitlin my notice,” Ellen added.

I blinked, jerking out of my absurd vision. I hadn’t had a serious relationship since college so I’d never pictured myself as a mom. But, surprisingly, I found myself wanting to replay the vision in my head again. Instead I handed Ellen her glass of water and smiled at her. “I’m really happy for you.”

“Thanks.” She beamed, then took a sip of water. “I felt terrible when the company laid you and Ginger off. Apparently Rich has been cutting a lot of costs. Rumor has it he might be selling the company.”

I leaned against the island countertop. “That’s what I suspected, too.”

Ellen pressed her lips together. “Anyway, I mentioned to Kaitlin that I’d be seeing you tonight. She’s going to start advertising for the customer service position on Monday. If you’re interested in having your old job back, Kaitlin said to shoot her an email this weekend and the position’s yours.”

“Wow.” I ran a hand through my hair, wondering what Rich Woodward would think if I dyed part of my hair purple. I mean, if I owned the bakery then I’d be my own boss and wouldn’t have to worry about what any superior would think. Not that I wanted to dye my hair purple. . . Or did I? “I’m stunned. I never thought I’d have the option to work there again.”

Hair color aside, the thought of going back to my customer service position depressed me. I was
so
close to achieving my new dream I could taste it. I opened my mouth to tell her I wasn’t interested—

“Well, Kaitlin said she’d love to have you,” Ellen said.

Hearing those words tugged at my heart since I’d wanted to be part of their in-crowd for so long. Although, hello? Realization settled in. It’s not like Kaitlin wanted to hang out with
me
. She was probably hoping I’d return so they wouldn’t have to train someone new. Sigh.

“Thanks for letting me know.” My answer was vague, but talking to Ellen like this made me feel part of their crowd. I wanted to enjoy the moment for a little while longer.

My cell phone beeped. I picked it up off the counter, then glanced at the screen. A message from Nate, which read:
Just picked up the order from Café Mattia. Be there in a few minutes. Don’t forget we need to talk.

I frowned, wondering what he wanted to talk about. I quickly typed back:
Thanks.
See you soon.

“Now that’s a serious look.” Avery reappeared in the kitchen, holding out her glass. “I’m ready for a refill.”

“Already?” I chuckled, then reached for the champagne bottle. I poured the bubbly liquid into her flute.

“What’s with the line between your brows?” she asked.

“Oh, nothing.” I shook my head, knowing I was probably worried for no reason. “It’s just that Nate’s dropping off some appetizers for us, and he says he needs to talk to me. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”

“So he hasn’t told you yet?” Avery grimaced.

Chills trickled down my spine. I glanced at Ellen, who mumbled an excuse then left the room. “Nate hasn’t told me what?”

Avery’s expression changed, making me wish I’d never asked the question. “He got a call today while he was in the bakery. Some magazine offered him a job in Peru for an article they’re doing on Machu Picchu. They need him to start right away and he’d be living there for six months.”

My heart dropped to the floor. “A-Are you sure?”

She raised her shoulders. “I honestly wasn’t trying to eavesdrop. But it was during that lull after lunch, and he was talking pretty loudly. Like he was excited.”

My eyes burned. Of course Nate would be excited. The job sounded like an ideal opportunity for him. But where did that leave me? Us?

Suddenly, the sound of the doorbell echoed across the condo. Nate.

Momentarily frozen, Avery and I exchanged a look. I blinked to keep tears at bay, but a boulder had formed in my throat. This was exactly why I should
not
have listened to my dad and dated someone who left me breathless. Nate was leaving me. Again.

Chapter Nine

I walked out of the kitchen on numb legs, heading to answer the front door. Avery trailed behind me into the living room. She sat on the sofa next to Mary Ann, wearing a worried expression so I looked away. My gaze traveled to Ginger and Ellen, whose feet were immersed in two foot spas as they chatted. All of my guests looked happy.

I, however, felt like the ground had crumbled beneath me.

I reached for the door handle, knowing Nate was on the other side with his dreaded news, and my hand froze. Then a hopeful thought flitted through my brain. Maybe when I opened the door this entire nightmare would go away. Maybe Nate would tell me that Avery had heard his phone conversation wrong. That there was no job offer in Peru, and he was not moving to South America.

Sucking in a deep breath, I gathered my strength, then opened the door. My breath caught in my throat as I stared up at Nate—not because he looked hot, which he
so
did. He wore his black leather jacket over a white shirt, and the colors made his jade-green eyes stand out even more. But I’d lost my breath because of the way his jaw tightened when he saw me. He had bad news. I could feel it.

“Hi.” Tearing my gaze away from his intense look, I glanced at the bag he was holding. “Thanks for bringing over the appetizers. How much do I owe you?”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m glad to help.” He handed the bag to me, then gestured toward the front walkway. “Can we talk out here?”

“Sure,” I said, even though no part of me wanted to have this talk. With a quick glance at Avery, I set the bag on the entry table, then pulled the door closed behind me. Nate had moved to the sidewalk by the street and my throat went dry as I dragged my feet over to him. “What’s going on?”

I was beyond shocked that I’d been able to get out the question. I stopped just short of the sidewalk and braced myself for the answer that he was or wasn’t moving to Peru. I held my breath.

His gaze pierced mine. “My dad got an offer on the building and bakery.”

“Um, what?” I blinked, sure I’d heard wrong.

“Wendy Watts called an hour ago.” He started pacing back and forth. “Apparently she told the buyer from this morning that she had a showing tomorrow with another interested buyer, which is a great sales maneuver on her part. The pressure tactic worked too, because this morning’s buyer submitted an all-cash offer for twenty percent over my dad’s asking price.”

“Twenty percent more?” My stomach dropped, but for a whole different reason than Nate leaving the country. Even if I had a couple more days to get my inheritance funds, which I obviously didn’t, there was no possible way I could match that offer. I’d been close enough to my dream to taste the joy, but it had stayed just out of my reach. My shoulders slumped. “It’s over then,” I said, numbly.

“No, it’s not.” He stopped pacing, and faced me with a set stance. “I’m telling my dad you’re buying the bakery and that you’ll have the funds next week.”