Page 3 of Sassy Pants
I fish an ink pen out of my apron and press the tip to my order pad. “Hi, I’m Gianna. I’ll be your server tonight.”
The man’s head snaps up, and his pretty blue eyes lock with mine as his lips tip into a broad grin. “Well I be damned. Never thought I’d look at your pretty smile again face to face.”
I return his stare. It isn’t until I notice the scar above his left eyebrow that I recognize him. “Jesse.” I smile and my belly flutters. “You’re out.”
Tilting his head, he studies me from head to toe. Taking in my tight black pants paired with a red tee that has Pizza Palace embroidered in white stitching over my left breast he shoots me a wink. “What’s it been? Ten years.”
“Something like that. How’ve you been?”
“Doing a helluva lot better now that you’re here.”
Heat rises up the back of my neck. “Are you ready to order or do you need a few minutes?”
“That depends.”
“On?” I hedge, taking a step back. The way he keeps grinning at me takes me back to when I was a teenager ready to ditch this town and everyone in it. Honestly I never thought I’d see his face again. Now look here we are older though likely not much wiser.
“You on the menu?”
I laugh, giving him a shake of my head. “Nope.”
“Right. Can’t blame a guy for trying. You always were the prettiest girl in all of Drag creek.”
“Ha. Not falling for that. I bet you say that to all the girls.”
“Maybe, but this time I mean it.”
“Jesse—that’s sweet but…”
He licks his lips. “You got a man?” Jesse always was hot. Now he’s all man and even hotter. Dressed in dark jeans, a light blue, gray, and black checked flannel that brings out the cornflower blue shade of his eyes, offset by his coal black hair. He still has that great smile while appearing to have packed on some muscles as far as I can tell.
“Just dodged a bullet. Happily single.”
“Looking to mingle?”
“You don’t know when to quit do you. How about I get you a drink while you decide what you want to eat.”
“I’m starving but not for pizza.”
“Stop that. I’m sure you’ve got a few girls lined up. You always were a lady’s man.”
“Only had eyes for one.”
I ignore his comment and attempt to get him back on track. The quicker he orders, the sooner I get to go home. “You still a fan of Pepsi?”
“Damn it’s great to bump into you. You gotta let me take you out for a drink or something one night to catch up. I’ve missed you, Gia. You always were my favorite girl.” Tingles shoot up and down my spine hearing his old nickname for me.
“We’ll see. I’ll get you a drink.” I move off from his table, scurrying to the bar.
Antonio takes one look at me. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. Can I get a Pepsi please?”
“If you say so.” He nods but his thick dark brows draw inward. I know Antonio sees through me. Seeing Jesse has thrown me off center. I always knew one day he’d be released, but I never expected our paths to cross again.
If Jelissa knew he was out and didn’t tell me I may kill her. I could’ve done with a warning so I could be prepared for this moment. Yes it’s been ten years since he fucked up. I’ve moved on, but the second I saw him all that resentment and heartache came flooding back along with the love I once felt. I thought I’d made peace with Jesse and what would never be between us but seeing him cuts those old wounds wide open.
We were supposed to leave Drag Creek together. I thought I’d marry him. That he was gonna sweep me off my feet to give me myhappily ever after. But then he got caught robbing that house, and the fool had a gun on him. He called me collect from jail. Said that he did it for me. Swore he was trying to get enough money saved so we could be together. I was young and naïve. I thought he loved me but soon I found out I wasn’t his only girl. The asshole had a baby on the way.
