I’d start with hello.” Jane was in the process of trying to perfect three different panini recipes since she didn’t know what Chase might like. Not the easiest task with a one-thirty deadline looming.
Thank goodness Zoe had planned on adding the hot sandwiches to the menu next month, purchased the grill and received approval from the health department, or Jane’s momentary lapse of brain cells could have turned into a complete disaster. Of course, the day wasn’t over yet.
Jane tasted the pesto spread. Still not right. Maybe more pine nuts.
“Hello? Not good enough.” Ally pursed her glossed lips. “This isn’t some random customer. It’s Chase Ryder.”
She said the name with an odd mixture of awe and wistfulness. Unfortunately Jane understood completely. She felt as if she was thirteen again and crushing on the newest hit boy band. Ridiculous, yes. Especially after seeing Chase Ryder’s less than stellar, time-obsessed personality. But Jane hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him. His eyes, his smile, his voice, his lips.
Full lips meant for slow, lingering kisses. All over.
Flutters overtook her stomach. Tingles, too.
She couldn’t remember feeling this way before. Definitely not with her ex-boyfriend, Mark Jeffreys. Of course she had probably just forgotten what attraction felt like. There hadn’t been room in her life for romance lately. Not with her job, classes and helping out with Emma.
And that hadn’t been such a bad thing.
Except Jane liked how thinking about Chase made her feel. His aura of confidence appealed to her. Maybe she could get to know him other better and…
What was she thinking? She couldn’t get lost in some daydream. This wasn’t about her. Or Chase. Or what kissing him would be like. This was about Emma’s fundraiser. Jane squared her shoulders. “He’s just a man, Ally.”
“And Mozart was just a piano player.” Ally snickered. “Come on, Jane. Didn’t you find Chase Ryder attractive?”
“I’m not interested in his looks, only his money.”
“I still can’t believe you thought he was some old guy.”
“Based on your description—”
“But everyone knows what Chase Ryder looks like. He’s one of the most eligible bachelors in town.” Ally wiped down the counter. “Don’t you read the social page in the Sunday paper?”
“I don’t have time for the paper.” She didn’t have time for anything, not even putting on this benefit. Her hands trembled, and she flexed her fingers.
Ally studied her. “This is important to you, right?”
Jane couldn’t express what the meeting meant so she nodded.
“Maybe you should put on some makeup and do something with your hair.”
“Too plain?” She had grown up being called “plain Jane.” Nothing had changed once she became an adult. She never had enough time or money to worry about her hair, makeup or clothing.
“You’re not plain, Jane,” Ally said. “You’ve got the girl-next-door, fresh face look down, but you need to grab Chase Ryder’s attention and make him notice you.”
“We’re having lunch together. He can’t help but notice me.”
“That’s not what I mean.” Ally yanked a pink tube from her pant’s pocket. “At least use this.”
Jane caught Ally’s toss. “Lip gloss? Bubble gum flavor?”
“It plumps your lips, too. You never know if he’ll kiss you goodbye.” Ally arched a brow. “With those lips, how could he not be a good kisser?”
“This is a business meeting, not…”
Forget it. No use arguing with man-magnet Ally. Jane concentrated on making the sandwiches instead. Too much was at stake to be distracted. She didn’t want to think about Chase Ryder. She definitely didn’t want to think about his lips or kissing him. Especially kissing him.
And that’s when it hit her.
Garlic. The pesto spread needed more garlic.
Lots and lots of garlic.
Now she wouldn’t dare be tempted by any kisses. Real or in her imagination.
Chase had never been to the Hearth. Amanda, however, swore by their mochas and pastries, which was how the coffee house had come to provide breakfast at morning meetings. He deposited coins in the meter, stuck the parking receipt on his window and walked inside.
The smell of brewing coffee, and freshly ground beans hit him first. No different from the other coffee houses in Portland, but the scent of garlic and basil lingering in the air surprised him.
And he wasn’t often surprised. He’d succeeded in business by preparing for the unexpected. He didn’t believe in having too much information.
On his way to the counter, Chased passed customers sitting at small wood tables. A man typed on his laptop. A woman read a book. A couple paged through the newspaper. A young man with a ponytail and wearing a familiar looking apron cleared cups and plates from one of the few empty tables. No one occupied the big, comfy looking leather chairs near the stone fireplace. The hearth, no doubt.
As a customer grabbed his drink from the counter, Chase read the menu on the chalkboard hanging on the wall behind the counter. He didn’t see Jane, only an attractive young woman with long blond hair, a diamond stud in her nose and dangling beaded earrings.
“Excuse me,” he said.
She—Ally according to the nametag on her apron—poured cocoa powder into a jar and didn’t glance his way. “What can I get for you?”
“Jane Dawson.”
Her head jerked up and cocoa spilled on the counter. “I’ll be right back.”
She disappeared through a pair of swinging doors. A moment later, Jane rushed out.
“Hello, Mr. Ryder, I mean, Chase.” She sounded breathless. Pink tinged her cheeks. “T-thanks for coming.”
She looked younger, vulnerable and he wanted to erase her apprehension. But knowing what he knew, that wasn’t going to be easy. “You’re welcome.”
“The menu is up there.” She motioned to the chalkboard he’d already read. “I’ll take your order and we can sit down.”
“I’d like the prosciutto and provolone panini and an iced cappuccino.”
Jane’s brows drew together. “Iced cappuccino?”
He nodded. “My favorite drink when it’s warm outside.”
“Mine, too.” She pointed to an empty table. “Why don’t you have a seat and I’ll be right there.”
He
