My Sweetheart (8 page)

             
Tate frowned and let his hands drop away from her. “Why does it feel like you’re running away?”

             
Jane swallowed thickly and walked around Tate to open her door. “Why does it matter as long as I’m leaving? Look, you don’t have to worry about me Tate. Not anymore,” she said and sat down and slammed her door shut. She waited for him to step back and she pulled out of the driveway and sped away. She looked back in her mirror and saw that Tate was still standing there staring after her. Jane let the tears fall then and wiped them away impatiently.

             
Step Eleven to falling out of love. Realize that there was no hope of ever,
ever
being with the man you loved.

              The next week went by slowly, torturing her with every minute that went by. Every time Tate came into the bakery she fled to the back room. She knew she was being childish, but seeing his face made her want to scream and shake her fist at the heavens.

             
Layla finally returned from her honeymoon on Saturday and she smiled genuinely as her sister rushed through the front doors, grabbing her in a tight hug, laughing and talking and bubbling over with happiness.

             
Some of Jane’s misery faded in the immense joy her sister carried with her. Michael walked through the doors more slowly carrying a suitcase. He set it down and pulled her into a long hard hug before grabbing Kit and hugging her too.

             
“It seems like forever since I’ve seen you two. I can’t wait to show you all the pictures I took of Paris. You guys
have
to go. It’s the most beautiful city in the world.
Kit
. The Louvre. You. Would. Die,” she said and then flopped down on the floor and pulled the suitcase to her.

             
Kit and Jane exchanged grins and Kit turned the sign to CLOSED. It wasn’t every day their sister came back from her honeymoon.

             
“Jane, I saw this dress and I knew you had to have it. What do you think?” Layla asked, pulling out a long buttery yellow wrap dress.

             
Jane pulled the dress to her and held it up to her shoulders. Kit grinned at her and clapped her hands. “You’re going to damage corneas wearing that dress. Way too dangerous.”

             
Jane laughed and leaned over and kissed Layla on the cheek. “Love you Layla. Thanks.”

             
Layla patted her cheek and then pulled a large book out, handing it to Kit. “The Masters Kit. There were so many paintings I saw that I wanted you to see. It was killing me that you weren’t there. So I brought you back as many as I could,” she said laughing happily at Kit’s entranced expression.

             
“Oh my heck Layla, you’re the best,” Kit breathed out, sitting down cross legged on the floor next to Layla and flipping through the pages, her eyes bright and wide with excitement.

             
Layla grinned happily. “See Michael? I’m good at picking out presents.”

             
Michael walked over and reached down for his wife, pulling her up and into his arms. “You’re the best,” he murmured.

             
Jane glanced up and then cleared her throat in embarrassment. The honeymoon obviously wasn’t over.

             
Layla unwound her arms from Michael’s neck, grinning happily. “We’ve gotta run. We’re meeting Stella at the house for dinner. I can’t believe how many things I bought her. She’s going to think it’s Christmas,” she said with an excited giggle.

             
Michel zipped up the suitcase and waved to Kit and Jane, before pulling Layla back out the door.

             
Jane walked over to the window and stared at her sister as Michael kept his arm firmly around her waist. And yep, another kiss.
Did the man do anything else besides kiss her sister?

             
“Dang, I want to go to Paris. Hunter was talking about Italy, but I
have
to see the Louvre now,” Kit muttered to herself, still flipping through the pages.

             
Jane looked over her shoulder and grinned at Kit. “Do both. How hard would it be to have Hunter make a little detour for a few days so you could see the Louvre? The man would do anything for you,” she said, feeling a good case of jealousy sweep over her.

             
Michael and Hunter would do anything for Layla and Kit.
Tate?
He refused to even give her a chance. She sighed heavily and flipped the sign back to OPEN. They had one more hour left before they closed up shop.

             
“I’ve got a girl coming in an hour for an interview. I want you to come back and get a feel for her too since you’ll be the one working with her the most,” Kit said, standing up.

             
Jane nodded tiredly. She didn’t even care anymore. It’s not like she had a choice in the matter. She began sweeping and cleaning the cases before a few last customers came in. The last guy bought out practically everything they had. His wife had gotten ill that morning and they were having a party. He was so flustered, he couldn’t decide and so decided on everything.

             
Jane helped him carry the boxes down to his car and waved before heading back up the stairs. She heard a car stop behind her and turned curiously to see who it was. She blanched when she saw it was Tate’s police car and hurried up the stairs. Kit’s girl hadn’t shown up yet for the interview, so she could dang well take care of Tate.

             
“
Hold it!”
Tate yelled as if she had a stolen TV in her hands.

             
Jane slowly turned around and tried to force her face into a semblance of calm peacefulness. “Hi Tate. How’s it going? Need a few cupcakes? We’ve got a couple left,” she said sunnily.

             
Tate climbed the stairs, watching her carefully as if she’d turn and run at any second. Which she might. She cleared her throat nervously as he drew closer, coming to stand next to her in the shade of the porch.

             
“The bet’s over,” he said coolly.

             
Jane pursed her lips and looked away. “Oh
that
. Sure thing Tate. I’ll go get you a cupcake,” she said wearily and turned to open the front door.

             
Tate grabbed her arm and stopped her. “Kam asked Meredith out on a date last night.”

             
Jane grinned briefly and looked down at her feet. She was going to kill Meredith for not texting her. “That’s awesome. I hope they have a good time.”

             
Tate nodded, staring irritably down into her eyes. “I lost the bet. Now it’s time to pay up. When would you like to go out?”

             
Jane closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around her waist.
She couldn’t do it
. It would be torture knowing that he was with her because of a bet. He’d never willingly ask her out and she’d recently realized that she couldn’t enjoy being with Tate knowing he didn’t want to be with her.

             
“No Tate. I release you from that stupid bet. No date,” she said quietly and moved to open the door again.

             
Tate leaned up against the door, making it impossible for her to open it as he frowned at her. “Why Jane? You can have what you want. We’ll have one night together.”

             
Jane stared into Tate’s face and fought the urge to reach out and touch his cheek. “I’ve changed my mind. How about instead of a date you can owe me something else?”

             
Tate sighed and reached out and grabbed her hand. “I
want
to take you out Jane. Come to dinner with me. We’ll have some fun,” he urged, reaching out and running his hand down her long pony tail.

             
She could finally go on a date with Tate and all she had to do was say yes. She could wear her new yellow dress and they’d have fun and go dancing. Jane looked away, so tempted she had to bite her lip to keep from shouting yes.

             
But the date would end eventually and he’d go back to Alea.

             
“I’d rather not Tate. I’m uh, seeing someone now and we’re super exclusive. He
um
, he wouldn’t like me going out with you. He’s the jealous type,” she lied, staring straight into his brown eyes.

             
Tate’s face hardened and he stood up stiffly. “Is that why you didn’t come to the rugby game Monday? You’ve been busy dating some guy?” he asked almost angrily.

             
Jane bit her lip and nodded. “Yeah, fun every night. He’s not the type of guy who would let anything or anybody get in the way of us being together,” she added out of irritation.

             
Tate’s mouth opened and he looked away as if he’d been slapped. Jane waited silently as Tate moved away from the door and she walked in. She was surprised when he followed her, but then he’d always been a sucker for her cupcakes.
Why couldn’t he love her the way he loved her cupcakes
, she thought bitterly and moved around the counter to grab a square of wax paper.

             
“What can I get you?” she asked coldly, refusing to look at him.

             
“Why didn’t you come by the station on Monday and fill out the forms for the restraining order?” Tate asked, ignoring her question.

             
Jane wrinkled her nose.
Crap
. She’d totally forgotten about it. “I’ll come down soon. I guess I got busy and forgot.”

             
Tate stared at her coldly. “Too busy dating I guess to worry about your own safety, huh?”

             
Jane glared at him. “Yeah, that’s right. When someone’s in love, it takes over their whole life. Every corner and space is filled with emotion and light and love. Things get forgotten. You should know that, right? Isn’t that the way it is with you and Alea?” she couldn’t help asking.

             
Tate’s eyes narrowed at her and he tilted his head. “You couldn’t have fallen in love that fast. I don’t care who the guy is.
You’re lying to me
,” he whispered, leaning in closer. “Why would you lie to me?”

             
Kit walked in at that moment and grinned when she saw Tate. “Hey there Officer Matafeo. You would not believe what Jane made this morning. When I tasted it, I immediately thought of you. We sold out hours ago, but I had a feeling you’d be by, so I saved you one. You’re going to think you’re in heaven,” she promised, hurrying out of the room and back to the kitchen.

             
Jane stared at Tate sulkily and shook her head. “I can’t take it anymore Tate. I give up. Please don’t come back to the bakery again. I want you to stay away from me. If you have any kindness in your soul, any pity for me at all, you’ll stay far
far
away from me,” she said quietly.

             
Tate’s eyes turned to dark fire and he moved as if he would reach across the case to her, but Kit rushed back in the room.

             
“It’s a nectarine Pavlova. Isn’t it gorgeous?” Kit placed the dessert cup in Tate’s hand as Jane looked on. She’d been pouring all of her feelings into her cooking this week and she’d been getting more and more complex. She’d arranged thin slices of nectarine on a meringue shell filled with heavy sweet cream. She watched silently as Tate dutifully took a bite, closing his eyes and chewing slowly as he concentrated on the flavors. When he finally opened his eyes, he smiled sadly at Kit.

             
“It’s probably the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted in my life. Thanks Kit. Listen, do me a favor. Would you make sure Jane comes down to the station on Monday and fills out the forms for a restraining order against Alex Foster?”

             
Kit’s mouth fell open and she turned to stare at Jane in horror. “What the heck is going on Jane?
What happened
?” she demanded moving to stand in front of her, her green eyes turning hot and furious.

             
Jane groaned loudly and Tate turned and looked at her one last time. “Bye Jane. I’ll see you around,” he said quietly and left the bakery.

             
Jane had to endure Kit’s interrogation and lecture for twenty minutes before an older woman who looked like a Girl Scout leader, room mother and PTA president all rolled into one stepped through the door.

             
Kit glared at her one more time and then ushered the woman to the kitchen for the interview. Jane turned the sign to CLOSED but instead of joining Kit for the interview, she walked out the door. She walked down the street and walked and walked until she came to the Iron Skillet.

             
Without thinking she walked in and was ushered to a table by the window. She blinked down at herself and realized that she was still wearing her apron. She lowered her head to her arms and closed her eyes tiredly. She didn’t even care.

             
“Well, well,
well
. This is the first time a Kendall sister has graced my restaurant in months. To what do I owe this great honor?”

             
Jane raised her head and stared at Rob Downing sitting across from her looking cool, gorgeous and curious.

             
Jane tilted her head and smiled coldly at him. “I tried to think of the most miserable place I knew of and here’s where I ended up. No need to call the cops. I’ll just be on my way,” she said but for some reason she was too tired to stand up.

             
Rob raised an eyebrow and grinned. “You are so lucky I didn’t press charges against you for assault. But I do have to admit that you have a pretty good arm.”

             
Jane laughed at the memory of pelting Rob in a very sensitive area. “You forgot to mention my aim.”

             
Rob shrugged and folded his arms across his chest. “So Kit’s engaged and going to be married soon I hear.”

             
Jane nodded her head slowly. “
Mhmmm
. They’re pretty happy.”

             
Rob looked down at his arms and sighed. “Man I screwed that up.”

             
Jane snorted. “Huge understatement.”

             
Rob glared at her, but didn’t say anything as a waitress appeared and set a water glass in front of her before handing her a menu.

             
Jane closed her eyes in embarrassment. She hadn’t brought her purse. “
Crud
,” she muttered and stood up. “Sorry, but I rushed out without my purse,” she said and started walking away.

             
Rob reached out and grabbed her hand bringing her to a stop. “No, sit down. My treat. Teresa, bring my friend here a house salad, some bread and the lemon gnocchi with spinach and peas.”

             
Jane sat down and stared at Rob suspiciously. “There’s always strings attached with you Rob. I don’t think I can afford this lunch.”

             
Rob grinned. “I won’t deny it. Now tell me what’s wrong? You look like your dog just died.”

             
Jane huffed out a breath. “Rob, no offense, but I don’t think you would understand even if I told you. We’re talking emotion here. Hearts. Love. Life.”

             
Rob’s eye’s blazed hot for a moment and Jane blinked in surprise.
What?

             
“Oh I think I have a handle on love, hearts and life,” he said in a calm voice that belied what she’d just seen in his eyes. “See, I was in love with a gorgeous red head and I screwed it up. I messed it all up so bad she went and fell in love with another man. My best friend Michael thinks I’m an idiot now and his new wife can’t stand me. And here I am, alone with my restaurant. No love. No life. One broken heart.”

             
Jane sat up and leaned over the table toward Rob. “Wow, for a minute there, it almost felt like you were human.”

             
Rob laughed and closed his eyes. “Come on, spill it. What’s going on?”

             
Jane opened her mouth but the waitress appeared, setting her salad and a bread plate in front of her.

             
“Teresa, bring me out a bowl of clam chowder and a Coke,” Rob said, getting comfortable.

             
Jane took a bite of her salad and smiled at the flavors bursting in her mouth. “
Mmm
, I love the pepperoncini and feta.”

             
Rob nodded and reached over and snagged one of her cherry tomatoes. “We aim to please.”

             
Jane took another bite and studied Rob. Could she really bare her soul to Rob Downing of all people? She breathed in the divine smells coming from the kitchen and gave in.
Why not?

             
“I’m in love with a man who might have feelings for me but who is determined to not love me back. It’s killing me and I can’t get over him. Nothing works and I feel like I’m dying inside,” she blurted out, watching as Rob stared at her with a half-smile.

             
“Looks like you and I are in the same boat then. No wonder you came here today. You were probably drawn here like a magnet.”

             
Jane took another bite of her salad and the waitress brought Rob’s soup and her gnocchi. She took a bite and groaned in pleasure. “This is amazing.”

             
Rob took a bite of his chowder and nodded. “See what you girls have been missing out on by boycotting my restaurant? So you were dating Garrett, right? It’s called re-bounding. You just keep dating until you find the person who can get your mind off the person you really love.”

             
Jane put her fork down and massaged her temples. “Yeah, well, that’s a cold way of putting it, but I tried. In the process I ended up hurting a really great guy. I can’t do that again. I know what pain feels like. I’m not going to lead on somebody else just in the hopes that it will somehow get my mind off of Tate,” she said and then closed her eyes in irritation. She’d just let slip the ammunition Rob could use to annihilate her.

             
Rob grinned as he took a sip of water. “Officer Tate Matafeo, defender of the Kendall sisters, public servant and all around good guy. What’s the matter? Why wouldn’t he go out with you? You’re cute in your own way.”

             
Jane blinked at him unsmiling and shook her head. “And you wonder why you’re alone Rob. But yeah, it’s Tate. I can’t tell you why, that’s his personal business, but he’s decided that I’m not good for him, or he’s not good for me. Either way, I’m a mess.”

             
Rob reached over and took a bite of gnocchi and frowned. “So we’re both in the same miserable state. I get to watch Kit get married and you get to watch Tate do whatever Tate does without you. Life’s fun, huh?”

             
Jane grimaced and took another bite smiling as her taste buds took over and her mind stopped working for a minute. “I can’t believe this, but your gnocchi is actually making me feel a little better for some reason. I might have to start coming here every day.”

             
Rob laughed and signaled the waitress. “Bring Miss Kendall a scoop of chocolate gelato.”

             
Jane grinned and clapped her hands. “Rob, you’re going to have me thinking you’re a nice guy if you keep this up. So where’s the string? What do you want in exchange for being nice to me today?”

             
Rob considered her while he took a sip of Coke. “Well, as much as I have improved your day, you brought a little sunshine yourself. So let’s help each other out.”

             
Jane frowned and swallowed her last bite of gnocchi. “That sounds a little mafia-ish. I’m not icing anyone for you, I don’t care how good the gelato is.”

             
Rob grinned. “You’ve been watching too much TV. Nah, nothing so dramatic. We both know you aren’t attracted to me and that I’m not attracted to you. You can rebound with me knowing I won’t fall in love with you and I’ll have someone to hang out with until I’m over Kit.”

             
Jane smiled warily. “How do you know I’m not attracted to you?”

             
Rob laughed and motioned with his hand at her. “Because if a girl was even slightly interested in me, she would have made an excuse to run to the bathroom to fix her hair and put on lipstick. That and you enjoy insulting me too much. We’re the perfect couple.”

             
Jane grinned and then frowned darkly. “That’s so rude! I can’t believe you aren’t attracted to me. What’s your problem?”

             
Rob smiled at her, his dark eyes laughing. “Don’t take it personally. Ever since I saw Kit, I haven’t really been attracted to anyone else. She’s kind of ruined me. For now anyways. You’re not bad really. You’ve got really pretty long brown hair. It’s just not red. I do love your eyes though. They’re this warm deep brown, but for some reason, hazel eyes do it for me. Although you do have dimples and a great smile. I’ll give you that.”

             
Jane felt slightly mollified and smiled at the waitress as she set the gelato in front of her with two spoons. Rob picked one up immediately and began eating her dessert. Jane glared and dug in before he could take it all. When there was none left, she sat back and grinned at Rob.

             
“Okay, I’ll say
yes
to this little partnership. But I’m going to need you to make it seem real to Tate. I’ve made some new friends and I don’t want to lose them because he broke my heart. We go to a lot of Rugby games and it would be nice for my pride if he could see me and not automatically assume that I’m crying my eyes out over him. Maybe you could join the league? That would be so cool! Can you play Rugby? It’s just for fun.”

             
Rob rubbed his chin. “I was all about baseball, but yeah, I’ll think about it. I can’t hack professional sports anymore but rugby sounds fun. So how real do you want to make this for Tate?” he said leering at her.

             
Jane patted her lips primly with her napkin and set in on the table. “Well, you might have to hold my hand of course.”

             
Rob leaned back and put his hands behind his head, enjoying himself. “I’m talking about kissing. How passionate do I feel about you?”

             
Jane couldn’t help remembering Tate’s kiss in the car and sighed. “You’re incredibly passionate about me as if you have to ask. But you’re such a gentleman, you control your feelings for me in public. That’s why we’re content to hold hands.”

             
Rob stared at her like she was an idiot. “What, are you an eighth grader? Look, we’re both adults. At least, I am. If we’re going to convince anyone we’re really together, I’m going to have to kiss you.”

             
Jane moaned theatrically. “
Fine.
I guess a
little
peck wouldn’t kill me, but if you suddenly find yourself overcome by my dimples and amazing eyes and take things further just know that Layla gave me a cute little metal baton that can do a lot of damage.”

             
Rob held up his hands. “Hey, I’m just trying to help you out. Speaking of your sisters, are you going to tell them about our little partnership?”

             
Jane licked her lips and shrugged. “Yeah, probably. They’d never buy us together otherwise. They know how much I despise you.”

             
Rob stood up and straightened his tie. “Despis
ed
. Past tense. Just remember, we’re together now. So what are we doing tonight darling? It’s Saturday night and a good looking guy like me and a pretty girl like you should be out doing something fun. Being seen. Painting the town red.”

             
Jane stood up and pursed her lips. “I don’t know, but I’ve got a gorgeous yellow dress I can wear. Surprise me,” she said.

             
Rob grinned down at her and nodded. “Will do,” he said and then pulled her in for a surprisingly warm and friendly hug.

             
Jane laughed and pushed out of his arms. “Oh Rob, can you believe we’ve come to this?”

             
Rob nodded, his eyes turning sad for a moment. “It’s temporary. See you tonight at seven.”