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“Fuck,” I curse, wondering if she’d be willing to skip visiting Pops and get right to the part where we go to her place. I huff out a breath and jump down, trying to pull myself together. “Restaurant supply?”
“Yes, please.”
The rest of the afternoon feels like a dream. We get to know each other as we walk up and down the aisles of a warehouse, collecting two fifty-pound bags of tapioca starch, a ten-pound bag of xanthan gum, three fifty-pound buckets of coconut oil, and various liquid extracts like orange, vanilla, and mint. I can’t, for the life of me, figure out what the hell she’ll make with all this. Clearly, it has to be something edible, but what?
After that, we stop at a bakery to pick up an apple tart and now we’re sitting in the living room of an apartment in an assisted living complex where Pops lives. It’s clear that he’s someone very special to Jenny and vice versa. The two joke and laugh like old friends, not just grandpa and granddaughter. Seeing her with family has me thinking about how well she’d fit in with mine. She has the mental fortitude to handle some ribbing from my two younger brothers, Mom would obviously love to have another woman around, and Dad would love how down-to-earth she is.
It also has me thinking about how she’d be if we had a family of our own. I can almost see her with a chubby, ginger baby in her arms as she visits with Pops. This has to be a lust-fog, right? Once we make sweet love, I’ll regain my senses and remember that we met only hours ago, right?
I hope not.
“What are your intentions with my granddaughter, young man?” Pops asks.
I clear my throat, begging my mouth to not say something stupid. “I like Jenny a lot, and while we’re still new, I see a future with her. She’s beautiful, smart, driven, and kind. I can’t imagine ever wanting to let that go.”
Both members of the Talya family go quiet. Damn it. I said something stupid. Jenny’s eyes glass over, and Pop rests a hand on her knee. Is this good or bad? Did I just fuck it all up?
“That’s exactly how I felt about my wife, and it’s all I’ve ever wanted for my Jenny,” Pops chokes out.
Jenny clears her throat, pushing back her emotion, but she doesn’t dismiss my sentiment. Phew. “Sorry to cut my visit short, but I have the kitchen scheduled for eight tonight.”
“I hate you being there so late by yourself.”
It’s driving me crazy that Jenny won’t tell me what this mysterious business is. Pops seems to know, so why can’t I? There’s only one way to settle this once and for all.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be with her,” I say.
“You told him?” Pops turns his attention to Jenny while hers turns to me.
“No, I didn’t. And Eaton won’t be with me because I can protect myself.”
“I’m sure you can, Baby Cakes, but I take my job as your man very seriously. What kind of man would I be if I wasn’t there to back you up?”
“He’s right, sweetheart. You can’t concentrate if you’re worried about your safety. I know you’re nervous about being judged, but he seems like he can handle it.” Pops shifts his gaze to me, and I get a glimpse of the formidable man he must’ve been back in his day. “And if he can’t, fuck him.”
“I don’t scare easily.”
Jenny throws her arms up as she stands, muttering, “Fine. Whatever. It’s not like I have years invested in you like I did with Daniel.”
Daniel?He must be the douchebag ex she spoke about earlier while we were shopping. It was the only moment of the day I didn’t enjoy. Even though she didn’t have nice things to say about him, I don’t like thinking about her with any other man. I regret not meeting her years ago so I could save her from future heartbreak.
Getting to my feet, I shake Pops’ hand. “I won’t disappoint you, sir.”
“You better not. I’m a Navy Seal, and though I’ve long since retired, I still know people.”
“I don’t doubt you do.” Even though his threat is more cute than scary, I manage to keep a straight face.
“See you soon.” Jenny kisses Pops’ cheek before turning to me. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”
“Over will never apply to us, Baby Cakes. You’ll see.”
