Page 92 of Finding Yesterday
“Let me guess—she has a thing for you.”
“Possibly.” He shakes his head. “She might’ve been the one who sicced the health inspector on The Fine Bone, trying to make sure I stayed in San Francisco.”
I smack the bench. “I knew it! There was something weird about that whole thing. And it was Julia, huh. I should’ve known.”
“Yes, me too. But that’s been cleared up. And she’s no longer my attorney on retainer. Or my attorney at all.”
“Good.” I hold back a smile.
“So, on the San Fran wharf, there are a lot of sea lions. Those guys have their own protection agency, as it turns out.”
“As they should.”
He shakes his head, letting out a chuckle. “Anyway, the patio of my restaurant—the location itself was fine, but nearby, there’s a cove that the agency wanted to turn into a safe haven for mother sea lions birthing babies. We were fighting it because you can’t have a restaurant patio overlooking a bunch of sea lions. They’re stinky and loud.”
“Aww, but they’re so cute.” I gasp. “And baby sea lions too!”
“Somehow I knew you’d say that. Anyway, their agency took me to court, desperate for their cove. We argued our case and won. It was on my property, and they had no legal grounds to infringe on it.” He waves a hand. “Or something like that.”
“Oh,” I mumble, deflated.
“But here’s the thing, Cole. I couldn’t stop hearingthat—the response you just gave me. The disappointment in your voice. It played on a loop through my head.” I flash him a grin, and he continues, “And maybe the fuzzy little blobs are cute, whatever. So, I came up with a compromise. The sea lions could have their safe haven, and I’d get rid of the back patio, expanding the inside with a wall of windows. That way, the place still has a fantastic view.”
“Excellent solution.”
“Thanks, I thought so. I worked with an architect to develop the new plans.” He clears his throat. “Then sold the restaurant.”
“Wait.” I sit, blinking. “Say that second part again.”
“I sold the restaurant. I mean, it’s under contract, so I have to wait thirty days to close, but yeah. Unless the buyers back out, it’s sold.”
“What? Why? How? And what are you going to do now?” My jaw hangs open. Winston snorts, and I say, “He wants answers too.”
“I’m not sure.”
My eyes wide, I shake my head, speechless.
“But...” he hesitates. “I was thinking I could come back here and run The Fine Bone with Pops.” He shrugs, a shy smile playing on his lips. “Well, and you.” He looks down at Winston. “But not you, buddy, sorry.” When Jack meets my gaze, his eyes twinkle in the moonlight. “Because here’s the thing. I couldn’t keep letting the past stop me from living the life I want anymore. I couldn’t let it stop me from being with you.”
His words make my heart float in my chest, and I smile. But then a thought makes it fall away. “What about how it hurts you to look at me? I don’t want to be the one to make you feel that way.”
“That was my guilt talking.” He rubs his tattoo. “I didn’t mean it. And anyway, all the reminders of the past that haunt me—they’re temporary. As I’ve spent more time here and with you, they’ve faded. Which means they’ll fade more over time. I shouldn’t let something temporary hold me back from the things I want.” He exhales. “And anyway, after today, I’m pretty sure I’m going to start feeling a whole lot better about all that.”
My smile grows. “I do too.”
He brushes a finger over my cheek. “Claire, I’m in love with you.”
My heart explodes from the words I’ve wanted to hear almost since the moment I met Jack. Well, met Jack again. I cup my hand on his face. “I love you too.”
He brings his lips to mine, the softest hint of a caress, a sweetness to the moment that makes me never want to let go of Jack again.
EPILOGUE
THE PAST TWOmonths have been a blur, but we made it. Daddy, Uncle Ozzie, and Nate had a successful crush season, and a new sign hangs outside the restaurant that says, “Maw & Millie’s Crossing.” It looks like the sign that was here when the train station was constructed in 1902.
Although the place is still a steakhouse, the bronzed cow is gone. When I walk in, everything feels different even though the decor is the same and it still belongs to Jack and Pops.
But I don’t work here anymore.
