On the other hand, if she waited too long, he’d think she didn’t care. Jade needed to give Cash his space; they both needed to think. But she wouldn’t let too much time pass.
Other than the fact that he needed to hear her side, she just missed him. Since Nashville, she’d seen him nearly every single day, and even when they weren’t together, there wasn’t this turmoil and tension.
“I’ve heard their cakes are fabulous.”
Lana’s comment pulled Jade back to the moment as she turned into a parking spot.
“Everything Liam makes is great,” Jade replied. “I recommend the éclairs.”
“Then we’ll each have one,” her mother declared. “There’s something I’d like to discuss with you over brunch.”
With that declaration thrown in there like Jade wouldn’t notice, Lana got out of the car and quickly made her way to the covered side porch leading into the café.
Jade sat there another second and attempted to take a few calming breaths. With all she had going on, her mother wanted to talk. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind that there would be some attempt at getting Jade to move back to Atlanta, or Lana would name-drop and tell her she’d found the perfect man for her.
Part of Lana had been too concerned with Jade’s career and husband material, but the other part had simply washed her hands of getting too involved. And by involved, Jade meant her mother didn’t want to have to do any actual parenting or doling out solid advice. No, the advice handed down usually had something to do with a move that would benefit Lana or give her leverage within her own little society.
“This will be interesting,” Jade muttered as she grabbed her purse and stepped out into the fine mist.
As soon as she stepped onto the porch, Jade took a step and placed her hand over the knob of the entrance door.
“I’d like to have a nice lunch without you setting me up with a friend’s cousin’s son’s best friend,” Jade warned. “And I don’t want talk of me moving back to Atlanta. Can we do that?”
Lana stared back, then pursed her lips. “You don’t even know the offer I have for you.”
So it was a career move. Well, Jade supposed that was better than a blind date with a stuffy man who had argyle as a staple in his closet. Jade found she’d much rather have a man who didn’t care to get dirty in his job, to be hands-on and work hard.
“I’m happy here,” Jade stated.
Without another word, she turned the knob and opened the door. The blessed sugary aroma wafted out and greeted her like an old friend.
Yes. This would do. Sugar and carbs and smiling faces. Jade may not be thrilled with why her mother brought her here, but this would be good for her. Anything positive would help fuel
her drive to regain control of her life.
She refused to believe she’d damaged everything beyond repair. That wasn’t who Jade was. She never gave up on what she wanted. Apparently, she had learned a few quality traits from her mother.
Jade smiled to a group of ladies seated in the corner. She recognized one woman from her yoga classes. All the tables were full, save for one, which Jade assumed was theirs. She loved this little treasure spot and was thrilled the Monroe boys were so successful at something they’d committed their whole lives to.
The tiny black-and-white-tiled floor in combination with the wrought-iron details around the windows and the brackets for the tables and counter, plus the crisp white chair covers led to a vintage theme. Dark crown moldings and etched mirrors stretching along the side wall added to the ambience, and Jade found herself looking at this place in a whole new light.
She couldn’t wait for the airport to get up and running with the new gift shop and restaurant. They wouldn’t be in competition with Liam’s café. Most people here were guests of the resort, and the airport food would be more Southern-style and home-cooked meals. Something to really welcome their new clientele from all over when they came to Haven, Georgia.
“Hey, Jade.”
Liam Monroe stepped from the back and greeted Jade with a wide smile. Once upon a time, the man didn’t smile, and that scar running along the side of his face was always turned away. He’d come a long way since settling back in Haven—Jade couldn’t help but wonder exactly how this quaint town could heal so many, but it did.
“I haven’t seen you in here for a while,” he said, resting his arms on top of the pastry display. “Are you having lunch or getting something to go?”
“We’re having lunch,” she replied, then turned to her mother. “Liam Monroe, this is my mother, Lana McKenzie.”
“I remember you,” Lana replied, her tone dripping with disapproval.
Jade never knew what would come out of her mother’s mouth. Oftentimes she was like a child and honesty, or ill-placed thoughts, just came spilling out. She also wasn’t sure if her mother had chosen to come here to judge or to tell her friends she had been to Bella Vous because they’d all raved about the place.
“She called for a table,” Jade added quickly, before her mother embarrassed her. “She’s heard some great things about the resort, but we couldn’t get in for massages, we figured we’d at least take in some of your fine cooking.”
“Your table is right over by the window.” He moved from behind the counter and led them toward the back. “I thought you might like this view overlooking the pond. Zach and Brock finished that new seating area a few months ago. You should walk out and take a look when you’re done here if the rain stops.”