I couldn’t believe I had gotten that worked up about the journal. Honestly, though, I was more emotional than normal. It made sense why Aunt Leelyn would want to see my reaction when I read the journal the first time, especially, with how I felt about love conquering all.
Harris.
Love was supposed to conquer all with Harris and me, but I had been wrong. As I walked, I brought my phone out of my purse and powered it back on. Amelia would be arriving home later on this evening. I wasn’t sure if she’d call me today or tomorrow to see what was going on.
All of Harris’ text messages had been prior to my bags being delivered, except for one. The last was a simple demand.
Harris: Call me, Ashlin.
I rolled my eyes and put my phone back in my purse. Harris knew deep down that I wasn’t going to cause him any public relations problems. At some point, I’d have to contact him to get my stuff, or rather the stuff I had brought into the relationship. I refused to take any of the jewelry or clothes he’d bought.
As I made my way down the riverfront, I felt my stomach rumble at the savory smells. The streets down there were still cobblestone that ran along the river. Restaurants and bars lined the lower level. I scanned the street and a sign that said Gael’s Place looked interesting. It was a little past lunchtime.
The hostess greeted me with her brown hair pulled back in a ponytail. “There’s room in either the dining or the bar areas.”
Looking in the dining area, there were several couples cozied up to each other sharing a late afternoon lunch. The bar was fairly vacated, giving me space for my thoughts. “I’ll sit at the bar. Thank you.”
She gave me a polite smile that reached her green eyes. “Have a seat and the bartender will take your order.”
Nodding, I walked over and sat on one of the high barstools and rested my feet on the piece of metal that connected the legs.
The inside of the restaurant was done in a worn brick. I loved the old feel it gave with the wrought-iron fixtures. There was a chalkboard to the right that had the daily specials on it. I read through them quickly and the beef stew caught my attention.
Is it weird I wanted to experience a piece of what Sophia had?
I felt neurotic. Normally, I didn’t have this intense need to connect with something and was content with myself, but reading that journal had caused emotions to emerge I hadn’t been expecting.
I shook my head and decided to go with my impulses for the time being. Obviously, over the last year, thinking with my head had not been the answer. Part of me had become a robot. Every action I made publicly had to be thought through with how it would affect Harris if I ended up on Page Six of the New York Post.
No one knew I was down here and I think the paparazzi found me boring since I never did, or reacted to, anything. I felt free for the first time in a while and took a deep breath to emphasize the feeling.
A light rap on the counter brought my attention to the man in front of me. He had dark-brown hair that was tousled about in disarray. His warm brown eyes melted through me. The five o’clock shadow from the stubble on his face showcased his strong jaw line. He was sinfully gorgeous and I could feel my insides turn all gooey from the sight of him in front of me.
My mouth was dry as he looked at me expectantly. In that moment, it was as if something within me altered and changed. I couldn’t explain it.
Get it together, Ashlin.
“I’m sorry. It’s been a long day. Can you repeat what you said?” My voice came out fairly normal, which I was proud of, versus the crazy energy I felt pulsating within me.
He gave a gentle look; it wasn’t cocky or knowing, but only sweet. “Is there anything I can get you?”
Smiling back, I responded, “I’ll have the beef stew and a water.”
“Good choice. Coming right up.” He rapped his knuckles on the counter as he walked off to the left.
I wasn’t paying attention to how his white shirt was rolled up to his elbows. Nope. And I wasn’t paying attention to how his khaki pants hugged him in all the right places. Nope. And I for sure wasn’t staring at him as if he would be sex on a stick. Nope.
Seriously get it together, Ashlin. My life has turned inside out and the last thing I need to be thinking about is sex.
The man turned back toward me and I looked up at the television screen that was above, hoping I wasn’t caught ogling the bartender. I need a life, seriously. Time passed and before I knew it, a steaming bowl of beef stew with a little plate of bread was set in front of me.
It smelled delicious. “Thank you.”
The bartender smiled. I glanced back to my stew as I ate.
He responded, “You’re welcome.”
Taking a bite, it was one of the most delicious stews I had ever tasted. I moaned in appreciation.