Something More

Chapter Twenty-Six

As soon as Lisa ended a call with a supplier, her phone rang again. She sighed loudly, thankful she was alone in her office. She'd been on call after call all morning long, and a headache bloomed above her right eye
from the incessant ringing. Looking at the screen brought a smile to her face.

Swiping to accept the call, she said, "Thank god it's you. I was ready to throw my phone across the room."

"Bad day, huh?" Jisoo asked with a chuckle.

Lisa groaned and rested her head against the back of the chair. "I've talked to eight different suppliers and I've only been in the office for an hour. Who comes back into the office for only the last day of the week after a holiday? I knew I should have taken the rest of the week off," she grumbled.

"I still don't know why you didn't. But listen, I've got the
perfect way for you to break up your day."

Lisa sat up. "I'm listening."

"Damon wants to try out some new recipes for his late-night bar menu and asked for my opinion. Told him I'd bring you along to talk about how they'd work, you know, numbers-wise."

Lisa's stomach rumbled at the mere mention of food, making her realize that aside from a mug of her mom's turkey broth last night, she hadn't eaten since yesterday afternoon. "You don't have to ask me twice. I'm in. Are you coming to the office first? What time do you want to head over to Gale's?"

"Um, I'll have to meet you there. So, be there at eleven thirty, okay?"

"I'll see you then." Lisa ended the call and tossed her phone on the desk. She scrolled through her email, hoping it would be distraction enough for the next couple of hours.

When Lisa opened the door to Gale's Tavern, she waited as two guys in front of her were given a table. As they walked away, she stepped up to the host stand and saw a familiar face. "Hey, Amy."

"Oh, hey. Just one today?" she asked as she reached behind her for a menu.

"No. I'm actually supposed to meet—"

"Table for two, please."

Lisa lost the ability to speak when she heard the voice that had haunted her dreams for the past month. She turned and found Jennie standing only a few feet away. Jen held her hands behind her back, and her eyes bore into Lisa. They held so much emotion, but the one that stood out was overwhelming uncertainty and that was something she rarely attributed to Jennie.

Lisa still couldn't find her voice. Her gaze flicked back to Amy who looked at them with anticipation, wanting one of them to make a decision. She turned back to Jennie whose eyebrows were raised, also waiting for her answer. Lisa needed answers, too. But more than that, she needed Jennie. Lisa nodded to Amy. "Table for two."

"Right this way," Amy said.

Lisa followed and she felt Jennie right behind her. Just being close to her was affecting her. Her body hummed with the familiar pleasure that being near Jennie always brought. She wanted to hold on to the anger that had consumed her since the night of the benefit, but she found it wasn't as strong as it used to be. In fact, it was practically nonexistent, at least on the inside. Outwardly, she didn't want Jen to know how much she had affected her, not until she knew why she was here. She needed to keep her guard up. She couldn't take being hurt anymore.

Amy led them to the same table she and Jennie had shared on that fateful day of their first meeting. Both sat down as Amy retreated wordlessly to the front. Now it was just the two of them, staring at each other in silence. Since this seemed to be Jen's show, she'd wait her out until Jen said what she came to say.