Return to Me

Eighteen

"Are you sure you have to fly out to Seattle this weekend?" Jack asks, his head bent down in concentration as he cut up some vegetables. I nod while tossing the salad, when he glances back over to me for a moment.

"Emily is having her bridesmaid dresses go through their final fitting this weekend as well as her down dress."

Jack and I have been seeing each other frequently over the past four weeks. We haven't directly discussed about getting back together and being exclusive, but I'm sure we've said it all through out actions. We go out on dates, spend nights together at each other's apartment and share many, many kisses. It's almost like we've picked up where we left off, but I know that's not true. He and I both know our past has secrets and bad memories we don't want to dig up again and as much as I shouldn't admit it, I'm glad we're putting it off. All the secrets I've kept will just cause trouble and heart break once they're out in the open.

As far as Emily an Andrew's wedding go, I've stopped being their "wedding planner" once the invitations were sent out and let me tell you, the wedding planner they hired is a Godsend. She has done an exceptional job putting a wedding together on such short notice. I don't know all the details since Emily is keeping it a secret, but I'm sure it's going to be fabulous.

"When are the tuxes supposed to be done?" I ask. Jack went through final fittings a week ago while on a business trip.

"Andrew says they're supposed to be done the end of this month and that the planner will be picking them up."

Nodding, I move to place the salad on the table before helping Jack finish cutting the rest of the vegetables that go in the oven with the chicken. Once the timer is set, we go over and eat our salads, talking about our day some more.

"I think we might end up finishing the restaurant early." Jack announces between bites of lettuce.

"Really? That's great!" I exclaim. Jack and the rest of the crew have been working so hard to get it finished and up to code.

He nods, just as excited and happy about it. "The next step would be finding full staff by opening day and getting them all trained."

"Of course and then you'll be busy all over again working in the kitchen."

Jack hesitates for a moment, as if he's thinking about what to say next, or there's something he's not telling me, but I ignore it. "Actually, no. Once this restaurant opens, I'm going on vacation. A long vacation."

"That's understandable. Any place you plan on going?"

Jack took a moment to finish chewing and thought about my question. "I was thinking maybe, Greece."

"Greece? Well that will be quite the vacation!" I say just as the timer goes off. Setting my fork down, I go to pull the chicken from the oven.

Jack clears his throat. "I was kind of hoping you'd come with me."

He wants me to go to Greece with him? "You want me to go?" I still can't believe he asked me.

"Well, yeah. We've always talked about traveling together and exploring all thee great countries."

He remembers that? "That was years ago," I chuckle, serving up our plates. 

"You don't want to travel anymore?"

I walk over and set the plates down before taking my seat again next to him. "Of course I do, but traveling isn't something I can afford."

"Who said you have to pay for it?"

"You're going to pay for all of it?"

"Why not? I have more money than I know what to do with," An all-expense-paid trip, would be very nice...but Jack paying for it all?