Falling For Us Again

5. OBLIVIOUS

Chapter 5

OBLIVIOUS

Dylan

My mind is consumed with thoughts of Jenna as I drive back to the café. Our history is complicated, tangled with past hurts, yet the pull between us remains as strong as ever.

How can I hate her so much and still want her just as badly?

My erection strains against my pants at the memory of our bodies entwined earlier. The way she fit against me, as if made exclusively for me, her every response—there’s no denying the attraction is still there.

It’s only physical I try to convince myself. I just want her in my bed one more time, to get her out of my system. I won’t care if she leaves town again without saying goodbye.

My only desire is to see her naked, begging for me to satisfy her.

My hands tighten around the steering wheel. I can’t stop thinking about making her pay for how she hurt me, and if sleeping with her was going to do it, I refuse to feel an ounce of remorse.

The café comes into view, and I park in my usual spot It’s quieter than usual this afternoon as I step inside.

Maggie is behind the counter, carefully creating latte art.

“Hey,” I greet her.

She looks up with a smile. “Feeling better?”

I raise an eyebrow. “Did I say I wasn’t fine?”

“Please. You’ve been distracted all day. I thought you went for a drive to clear your head.”

Maggie knows me too well; I can’t hide anything from her for long.

“Well,” I shove my hands into my pockets, “I did get an offer from Kam Powell to be the head chef at his new restaurant.”

She doesn’t look up, adding another stroke to the latte. “Does he know you’re not interested? Why would that bother you? You love this small-town life more than anyone I know.”

I don’t respond, and silence hangs between us for a moment. Then Maggie looks up, her eyes wide.

“Wait, are you… actually considering it?”

I walk to the kitchen, grab an apple, and return. Tossing it in the air, I catch it and take a bite while Maggie watches me closely.

“I’m not sure,” I admit, “but I’ve read his email three times. It’s a solid opportunity with great benefits.”

Maggie puts her hands on her hips, scrutinizing me. “You are considering it.”

“I mean, it’s a great opportunity, but I’m not sure if I’m seriously considering it—just taking a look.”

“You’ve got a great life here.”

“I know.”

“A great one. Everyone loves you here.”

I chuckle. “Aww, do you love me, Maggie?”

She rolls her eyes.

“Besides, you haven’t cooked in years.”

I sigh and look away. I’ve never told anyone why I quit being a chef. Not even my mom, who eventually stopped asking.

“They say it’s like riding a bike.”

“I just don’t want you to embarrass yourself and come crawling back to Hartlow.”

I smile. “You know you’ll take me back.”

“It’s her, isn’t it?”

“Who?” I ask with a frown. I glance at Maggie, but she’s turned away, taking some pictures of the latte.

“Jenna.”

A mirthless laugh escapes me. “What does she have to do with anything?”

“She’s the woman you never got over,” Maggie says, turning to lean against the counter. There’s a question and an accusation in her eyes.

“You know I’m over her. I’ve dated plenty of women since then. I just broke up with my girlfriend of three years.”

“And why did you two break up? Cindy has her issues, but you were never going to marry her. I’m glad she realized you were stringing her along. You never saw a future with her.”

Maggie’s words sting, but maybe she’s right. I liked Cindy well enough, but I never saw myself fully committing. When she asked for a breakup five months ago, I didn’t fight it.

She called me an ahole for not trying to save the relationship, but I figured if she wasn’t happy, what was the point? She left for a new job in Florida a month later, and I was relieved.

“She broke up with me, Mags. Why am I the one getting blamed?”

“Because you’re oblivious to certain behaviors in your relationships.”

“And how do you know that?” I say raising an eyebrow.

“Because I’m observant.”

“Well, you’re wrong. This has nothing to do with Jenna. She ended things a decade ago.” I scratch my chin with a playful smile. “Damn, I just realized that women keep breaking up with me.”

“Usually a sign you’re a piece of shit, by the way.” She waves a finger at me.

“Maybe I am.” I shake my head, amused.

“Anyway, just be careful. “You two have a complicated history that never got closure. Don’t make irrational decisions in hopes of getting back at her or getting back together.”

“No worries about that. I haven’t thought of her in almost a decade” I lied.

“You know I’ll support your dreams.”

She pauses, a twinkle in her eyes. “As long as they’re not stupid.”

I smirk. “Bold words from someone who’s rejected every good man in town. Your love life is worse than mine.”

She winces as she ties her auburn hair into a ponytail, ready to make the last batch of bread for the day. “Please. I just don’t like drama, and none of these men are like him.”

“There’s a him I’m not aware of? Hmm interesting.” I chuckle as I help her put on her apron. “Who’s he? And why aren't the two of you together?”

She thinks for a moment. “He’s pretty dumb.”

“Just your type, I suppose.” I chuckle.

She hits me playfully.

"Okay, but who is it?”

She shrugs. “He’s someone I've liked for a long time, but never pursued it. He's always been into someone else, so it’s just best to like his dumbass from a distance.”

“He’s definitely dumb for not seeing what a great woman you are.”

Maggie laughs. “Right? Like I said, he's pretty dumb.”

“Don’t worry, he’ll realize his mistake and find his way to you.”

She looks at me with a hopeful smile.

“You think so? I doubt it, but I’d really like that to happen.”

“I do.”

She turns away to the kitchen, and I cross the room to attend to a customer. My conversation with Maggie lingers on my mind, but I push it away.

Whether or not I go back to working as a chef has nothing to do with Jenna.