311 Pelican Court - Debbie Macomber [102]
“You’re awfully quiet,” Grace commented. “What are you thinking?”
Olivia grinned. “That Jack tries, but he doesn’t have a romantic bone in his body.”
“So what else is new?”
These days, Stan could be counted on to bring her flowers and candy, to make all the conventional gestures, but there was no substance to him. He had a handsome face and an empty heart. He seemed more worried about losing Olivia to Jack—as if she was the object of some male competition—than about her happiness.
“What will you tell Stan?” Grace asked.
“I’m afraid he’s going to be disappointed because I’ve already got a date.”
“You do? But you said Jack hadn’t mentioned anything about Valentine’s….”
Olivia’s decision had been made. “If he doesn’t ask me, then I’ll just ask him.”
Grace laughed, and it was the same wonderful sound Olivia remembered from when they were teenagers. It seemed only a few years ago that they were teenagers, talking endlessly about boys and dates and Valentine’s Day. Neither of them had expected to be single at this stage of their lives.
“Just when do you plan to give him this Sadie Hawkins Valentine invitation?” Grace teased.
Olivia laughed, too. “As soon as I’m finished here.” She was about to suggest that Grace invite Cliff, as well, but that relationship had become very complicated all of a sudden. She wasn’t sure what had happened, and Grace was reluctant to discuss it. Olivia gathered they’d had some sort of falling out. If it wasn’t cleared up after a while, she’d press the issue, but at the moment, Grace seemed content. After all the grief and uncertainty her friend had been through, that was good enough for now.
They spoke for a few more minutes, Olivia promising to call Grace with an update that evening. As soon as court was over for the day, she drove directly to the newspaper. The Cedar Cove Chronicle office was situated on Cedar Cove Drive, toward Southworth, where Washington state ferries transported cars and passengers to Vashon Island and West Seattle.
Once she’d parked, Olivia lost her nerve. She was part of a generation raised to believe that men did the inviting. Etiquette dictated certain procedures, and even though many of those rules were outdated in today’s world, they were so ingrained, Olivia had a hard time ignoring them.
Well, she’d come here for a reason, and she was determined to see it through. She marched purposefully into the office, only to discover he was in a meeting.
“I’ll get him if you like,” the receptionist told her.
“Ah…” Thankfully Olivia didn’t have time to formulate a response.
The door to the back office opened and Jack walked out, wearing a preoccupied frown. But the instant he saw her, his eyes brightened and his step quickened. “Olivia!”
Jack’s delight at seeing her seemed to infuse him with energy, and Olivia felt gratified. He held out his hands to her. “This is a surprise.”
“I’m looking for a Valentine,” she announced. “Are you interested?”
Jack chuckled. “Yeah, except…”
“What?” If he told her he already had a date, she’d hit him with her purse.
“I take it you want to go someplace other than the Taco Shack for dinner?”
“I like the Taco Shack, but…” It occurred to her then that Jack was nervous. He was afraid he wouldn’t meet her expectations. She also knew he wasn’t about to admit it.
“All right, the Taco Shack is out.” He paused, as though searching his limited repertoire of restaurants. “There’s always The Lighthouse, right?”
“Why don’t you let me make the reservations,” she suggested.
Jack grinned slyly in her direction. “Are you romancing me, Olivia?”
“I am.” She couldn’t see any reason to deny it. “So, are you interested or not?”
“You bet I am.” He draped his arm around her shoulder. “Can you have dinner with me tonight, too?”
“Taco Shack?” she asked.
Jack nodded. “They make a mean enchilada.”
“And I make a mean chicken pot pie,” she said, tempting him with her cooking. Jack ate far too many meals in restaurants. “See you in an hour?”
Jack nodded. “I