Delay of Game (The Baltimore Banners Book 6) (24 page)

"Have you talked to Randy?"

Alyssa tossed an impatient glance over her shoulder then turned her attention back to the huge enamel pot on the stove. Light smoke poured from the contents as she quickly stirred whatever was it in it with a large wooden spoon. "No, for the hundredth time. Not since this morning."

Val moved closer, peering over Alyssa's shoulder as she kept stirring. The pot was filled with something dark and gooey-looking, reminding her of melted dark chocolate. Only not as smooth, and a little smokier. "Is it supposed to be smoking like that?"

"Yes." Alyssa reached out with her free hand and grabbed a bowl of chopped vegetable. Celery, onion, green pepper. She dumped them into the pot and kept stirring. "It's when the smoke turns black that you have a problem."

Val frowned. Now it looked like chopped vegetables mixed with tar. "What is that, anyway?"

"I'm making a dark roux. Or trying to, anyway."

"Why?"

"Because Randy wants gumbo. And if this works, we can add it to the menu later."

"You've never made gumbo before?"

"Not like this, no. This recipe is for a fast roux. I've never tried it before, and never quite this dark."

"Oh." Val glanced back at the pot then stepped out of the way as the kitchen staff worked around them, cleaning up from the lunch rush. "So. You're sure you haven't talked to Randy?"

"Yes, Val. I'm sure. I told you, I haven't seen him since this morning."

"And he didn't say anything about talking to Justin? Or going over there? Nothing like that?"

Alyssa blew the hair from her eyes, gave Val another impatient look, then tossed in some seasonings and kept stirring, though not quite as quickly. "No. I mean, we talked a little, and he knew you were upset. But that was it. Don't you think I'd tell you if he said he was going to see Justin?"

"I guess." Val folded her arms in front of her and leaned against the counter, watching the choreographed chaos unfolding around her. The kitchen was Alyssa's domain, the place where she felt most comfortable. But it always made Val a little nervous. It was too hectic, too chaotic. She much preferred the front of the house, the paperwork, the behind-the-scenes organization.

"So I take it you still haven't talked to him?"

"Who?"

Alyssa looked over at her, one brow raised in disbelief. "Justin. Who else?"

"Oh. No. Not since we got back from Gettysburg."

"Well maybe he just needs some more time to work things out. Didn't you say it was pretty bad up there?"

Val shrugged then slowly nodded. Yes, she had said something like that. But she hadn't given Alyssa any details, and she wasn't planning to. Justin's personal life was just that: personal. She had no intention of sharing any of it with anyone, even if Alyssa was her best friend. And part of her still worried that maybe that was part of the problem, that Justin hadn't even wanted Val to know.

"I just wish it didn't feel like he was shutting me out. I mean, he just…left. Without saying much of anything. I don't know what to think about that, you know?"

Alyssa dropped two steamed crabs into the pot and gave the mixture another stir then turned to her. "You love him, right?"

"Yes."

"And you said he loved you, right?"

"Yeah, but—"

"No buts. Remember how you gave me a hard time about Randy at first? Well, it's sort of the same now, except it's your turn. Give him time."

"It's been a week." Val brought her hand to her mouth and chewed on her thumb nail, frowning. "I was thinking of maybe going over to his place later. But now I'm not sure. I mean, what if he doesn't want to see me? He would have called or something, right? So what if I go over there and just make things worse? What if he changed his mind, after everything that happened?"

And dammit, there went her voice again, breaking and wobbling. First she cried all over Randy, and now here she was, ready to break down again. What was wrong with her? This wasn't like her.

Alyssa stepped closer and nudged her against the shoulder, her eyes full of sympathy. "Val, it'll be fine. I know it will. Stop thinking the worst. That's not like you."

"I know. I just…Alyssa, I miss him. I've never missed being with someone before."

Alyssa nudged her again then gave her a small smile. "I know. Welcome to true love."

Val didn't know what to say to that. True love. She hadn't expected it, hadn't been looking for it. And she hadn't expected it to be quite so difficult. Or emotional. Or draining. And it would be so much easier if she actually knew what was going on with Justin right now. Not just right now: the whole past week. That was the problem. When you were in love, you shared your problems. At least, that's what she always thought. That's what her parents did. It's what Randy and Alyssa did. It's what every couple she knew did.

So why wouldn't Justin share his problems with her? Why wouldn't he let her be there for him?

"Does this look creamy to you?"

"Hm?" Val glanced at Alyssa, the words taking a second to register. She leaned over and glanced into the pot, squinting at it. "Creamy? Um, I guess."

"Works for me." Alyssa grabbed a can of diced tomatoes and dumped them in, stirring everything together. Val watched her, trying not to wrinkle her nose at the mixture.

"Are you sure it's supposed to look like that?"

"Pretty sure."

"Hm. If you say so. How long before—"

"Hey Val, we need you out front."

Val looked toward the swinging doors. Jodi was holding one side open, leaning in and looking over at Val. An expression of concern and something else was on her face. Wariness? Or was that amusement? Val couldn't tell, and Jodi stepped away before she could ask.

"Great. I hope whatever it is isn't a real issue. I'm not in the mood for it." Val pushed away from the counter and smoothed down the hem of her blouse before walking out of the kitchen. Jodi was waiting for her just outside the door, that odd expression on her face. Val looked around at the crowd, trying to see if anything stuck out. This was their slow time of day, the hours between lunch rush and the happy hour crowd, so the restaurant wasn't very crowded. That didn't mean there couldn't be issues.

"What's wrong?"

"There's a customer with a complaint who wanted to speak to a manager."

Val frowned, not bothering to hide her confusion. "You couldn't handle it?"

"No. He asked for you specifically."

"Great. What's the problem?"

"No idea, he wouldn't say." Jodi pursed her lips then nodded across the room. Val squinted but didn't see anyone who stood out, certainly not anyone who looked unhappy. "He's on the other side of the bar, I don't think you can see him from here."

"Wonderful." Val blew out a heavy sigh, ran a hand through her hair, then plastered on her brightest professional smile. Hopefully, it wouldn't be a major issue. Maybe it really was something minor, something that Jodi could have handled with no problem but the customer still demanded to see her. Sometimes that happened. Sometimes, the customer just felt better talking to who they perceived to be "in-charge".

Val worked her way through the restaurant, weaving around tables, nodding and smiling to the scattering of customers enjoying a late lunch. But it felt fake, forced. God, what was with her? She never used to be like this. Work was her refuge, her passion. Her escape. But lately it felt more like an obligation instead of an enjoyment.

When had that happened? Stupid question. She knew exactly when. As soon as she started seeing Justin. As soon as she realized there was more to life than work. Val missed him. She didn't care what he was going through, she wanted to be there for him. With him. And that's exactly where she was going to be. As soon as she finished with whatever complaint she was about to hear, she was going to leave and go to Justin's and—

She turned the corner and stopped in her tracks. Instead of the irate customer she was expecting, she saw Justin sitting at a table, his chair turned around so he was facing her. He got to his feet, his expression hesitant, uncertain.

Val pressed her hand against the middle of her stomach, trying to calm the irrational fluttering at the sight of him standing there. Trying not to wonder why he looked so uncertain. She took a deep breath then stepped closer, closing the distance between them.

His eyes never left hers, his stare intent, watchful. And maybe just a little cautious. Val wanted to smile but her lips wouldn't cooperate, not when he was standing there, looking too serious.

"Hey." And God, what a stupid thing to say. She cleared her throat and tried again. "I understand you have a complaint, sir?"

The corner of his mouth twitched, just the tiniest bit before evening out again. Some of the hesitancy left his gaze as he nodded. "I do. About your clientele."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Some of them can be real assholes."

Val fought back her smile and nodded. "Yes, some of them can be."

"You shouldn't let the assholes keep coming back, then."

"Well, everyone changes, you know. And you shouldn't hold the past against them. Especially when they have no control over it."

Justin blinked and swallowed, watching her for a few seconds. Then he stepped closer and pulled her into his arms, holding her close as she buried her face against his chest. "I'm sorry, Val. I shouldn't have just disappeared like that."

"No, you shouldn't have."

"I just—I needed to work some stuff out."

"I know. But you should have let me help."

"It wasn't your battle."

"That doesn't mean I couldn't be there for you. That's what people do when they're in love."

Justin stiffened, but only for a second. Then he pulled away and looked down at her, his good hand cupping her cheek. "You really do, don't you?"

"Yes, Justin, I really do. I love you. And I want to be here for you. The good and the bad." She reached up to touch his face, then frowned. She leaned closer, staring at the left side of his jaw. "What happened to your face?"

"Nothing." He grabbed her hand and laced his fingers with hers, then leaned forward and kissed her. Soft, sweet, tender. "I love you, Val. I love who you make me want to be, I love who I am with you. I love you. And I'm sorry I was an asshole. Can you forgive me?"

Val blinked against the sudden stinging in her eyes and tried to smile. "Justin, there's nothing to forgive. I just want to be with you, that's all."

"But what about what you saw back home? My father and all—"

She pressed her fingers against his mouth, silencing him. "That's not you. That's not who you are. I fell in love with
you
, Justin. Not your family, not your past. With
you
. I know you're not perfect. Neither am I."

"But my family—"

"Oh please. Didn't we have this discussion before? What about my family? Big brother Randy, remember?"

Justin chuckled, his hand briefly going to his jaw. "Yeah, I know."

Val's eyes widened. "Oh my God. Did Randy hit you? I'm going to kill—"

Justin silenced her with a kiss. A real kiss this time, hot and demanding, heady and promising. Val curled her hand in his shirt and leaned into him, ready to lose herself in his touch right here. This was Justin, the man she loved, faults and imperfections included.

He pulled away, leaving her breathless, needing more. With Justin, she always needed more. She leaned forward, her mouth searching his, then groaned when he pulled away a little more, just out of her reach.

"So you forgive me?"

"I told you, there's nothing to forgive." Val pursed her lips and tried to frown. "But if you ever do that again, I'll have Randy hunt you down."

Justin laughed, the warm rich sound wrapping around her, comforting. "Fair enough. But in the meantime, I think I know how to make things up to you."

"Justin, there's nothing to make up for—" Val's words became lost in a squeal of surprise as Justin bent down and lifted her in his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding on as he carried her through the restaurant. "Justin, what are you doing? Put me down! You're going to make your arm worse!"

"My arm is fine. I start therapy next week."

"That doesn't mean you should be overdoing anything now."

"Trust me, we won't be overdoing anything for the next six days."

"What?" Val looked up into his face, noticed the twinkle of amusement in his eyes and the crooked boyish grin that sent tingles shooting through her.

"We're going on vacation. Now."

"What? Justin, you can't be serious. I can't just—"

"Yeah you can." Alyssa stopped in front of them, Randy right behind her. She held out Val's tote bag then grinned. "Your essentials are in here, along with your passport."

"Passport? What?" Val clutched the bag, one arm still around Justin's neck. She frowned at Alyssa, then looked up at Justin. "What is she talking about? Where are we going?"