His fault. Again. He set his spoon on the cobbler plate. “I owe you another apology.”
“Let’s call it good.” She didn’t sound upset, but she fiddled with the napkin again. “There’s no reason to look back. We can’t change what happened.”
“True, but I don’t want to make the same mistakes again.”
God, you’ve given me so much. But please, could I have a do-over with Jenna?
Ash nearly laughed. A misguided prayer, but he had no one else to help him.
“I’ll be your cashier tonight.” The waiter set a black leather bill folder on the table, then walked away. Ash reached for the check only to find his hand on top of hers. “I’ve got this.”
“I do.”
Her skin was soft and warm. He fought the urge to rub her hand with his thumb. “Please. Let me cover dinner.”
Eyes dark, she kept hold of the folder. “How about we split the check?”
Jenna didn’t look like she would surrender without a fight. That would mess up whatever limited chance he had with her.
He let go of the bill. “That works. I’ll subtract what Toby left, and we can each pay half.”
A satisfied smile graced her lips. “Wonderful.”
Ash missed her hand on his. “You look happy.”
Her grin spread to her eyes, where a twinkle returned. “I am. Thanks to you.”
“I seem to be missing something.”
“This is the first time you’ve let me pay.”
“Ever?”
She nodded. “I never thought the whole man-always-pays thing seemed fair in an equal relationship, but you were always so adamant.”
“Adamant?”
“Very much so.” Her smile didn’t falter. “I didn’t make as much as you. Still don’t. And I appreciated you wanting to pay, but contributing, even a little, makes a person feel like they’re in a partnership, not just being taken care of.”
He hadn’t known she felt that way. “I’ll remember that.”
“A warning. Not all women feel this way.”
But the one who counted did. “Still good to know.”
Especially if he got a do-over.
On Sunday after the youth service, Jenna entered the church hall. Two teens acknowledged her with nods. She gave them a thumbs-up.
After the ropes course and Pastor Dan’s sermon, she couldn’t stop smiling. She kept thinking about the future. Something she hadn’t done in two years. It felt good, normal.
Jenna followed the smell of fresh-brewed coffee to a large pot. She filled a cup, then added a dash of milk. The caffeine would keep her going with another wedding to shoot this afternoon.
“Hey.” Sam wore a white button-down and khaki pants—dressy attire for him. The clothes made him look more his age than his normal shorts and T-shirts. “Guess who’s here?”
“Pretty much everyone we know.”
“True, but that’s not who I meant.”
She sipped her coffee. The scent of something baking in the hall’s kitchen tickled her nose. “Is Mrs. Phillips making scones?”
“Yes.”
Jenna’s stomach grumbled in anticipation. “Just what I need this morning.”
“That’s what Ash said.”
She nearly dropped her coffee. “My Ash?”
“Yours?” Sam’s eyes narrowed. “Didn’t think you wanted to date the guy.”
“I don’t. Figure of speech.”
“Yeah, right. And I’m the tooth fairy.”
She ignored him, searched the crowded hall, but didn’t see Ash. “Where is he?”
“At one of the tables by the back door.” Sam’s mouth slanted. “You’d better hurry. I think a few women are calling dibs.”
Jenna made a beeline toward the other side of the room. Laughter drew her attention. Michael, Kerri, Claire, and two women from the singles group sat with Ash. No empty seats remained at the table. The least Jenna could do was say hi.
She walked up. “Good morning. I’m surprised to see you here, Ash.”
He rose, looking handsome in his blue shirt and slacks. An almost finished scone sat on the plate in front of him. “I decided to attend the service this morning.”
“Enjoy it?”
“Very much.” He sounded relaxed for being in a brandnew place. “Pastor Dan is great. I liked the music. Everyone is so friendly. I’ll be back next Sunday.”
A thrill shot through her. Not that what Ash did should matter. “This is a great place.”
The others at the table agreed. She sipped her coffee.
“You should go to the singles group meeting,” Kerri suggested. “Unless you’re in a relationship.”
“I’m not dating anyone.”
His words squeezed Jenna’s heart like a vise and left her feeling . . . weird.
“The next meeting is on Wednesday,” Claire said.
Ash looked at Jenna. “Will you be there?”
She shook her head. “Photo session.”
“I’ll check my calendar,” he said to the others.
The three single women at the table sat taller, with big smiles. Jenna understood. But the thought of Ash dating one of them—or anyone—made her stomach churn. She didn’t know why. He was no longer her fiancé. They weren’t dating. They weren’t even friends.