She still couldn’t figure out what the hell he was doing hitting on her, but he seemed nice and friendly and genuine. All of his friends were nice people, too, which just proved you could never judge a book by its cover.
And when Robert asked her out, she was determined to broaden her horizons, so she’d said yes.
He took her to the art museum, and he surprised her by being more than a little knowledgeable about art. He said she should go to New York, and she’d told him she’d seen the Louvre, so they talked about art over dinner. He said he liked to paint, which was one of the reasons he wanted to have his own art studio. He wanted to showcase his own work alongside other artists.
He was such an interesting guy. So damn good looking, talented, motivated, and fun to be with.
But when he kissed her good night—and he was a great kisser—meh.
Nothing. Not even a little twinge of interest. Nothing had tingled, peaked, exploded. Not even a tiny little pop.
Robert had smiled at her and told her he’d call her the next day, but she already knew she wasn’t going to see him again, because there wasn’t that burst of chemistry she’d had with Ty.
She wanted chemistry, dammit. Surely there was another guy out there she could have fireworks with.
Now that she’d thought about it, it had been a week and a half since she’d seen Ty.
Not that she’d noticed or anything. She’d been busy at the bar, had caught up on her sleep, and had been busy dealing with all the new guys who’d suddenly entered her life. Since she had the night off tonight she was headed over to her parents to see Mick and Tara, who were back from their honeymoon.
Liz was meeting them there, though Gavin was headed to Florida to get ready for spring training.
Jenna was beyond ready for spring, though in late February it was anything but spring-like in St. Louis.
She wished she were in Florida right now. But cold weather and hockey season brought people into the bar, which was good for Riley’s.
As soon as Mick and Tara walked through the door, Jenna was green with jealousy.
“You’re so tan,” she said as she hugged Tara, then kissed her big brother. “I hate you both.”
Tara grinned. “We had so much fun. We laid on the beach and soaked up the sun, went parasailing and snorkeling, swam with dolphins and scuba dived, and we even took a sunset sailing cruise that Mick booked for just the two of us. It was so romantic.”
Tara tilted her head toward Mick, who kissed her.
“You two are so sickeningly romantic.”
“We’re newlyweds. I’m pretty sure that’s how it’s supposed to be,” Mick said, grabbing her in for a hug and a kiss to her cheek. “But you’ll always be my second favorite girl.”
She shoved at him. “Oh, stop. You’re being mushy and that’s not like you.”
He laughed a big, booming chuckle. “Hey, I’m happy and I’m in love. I’m entitled to be mushy.”
“You are. It’s disgusting. When will it end?”
He pulled Tara in front of him. “Not anytime soon.”
She rolled her eyes and went to the kitchen to help her mother fix dinner.
“Those two are nauseating.”
Her mom laughed. “They’re in love.”
“Yeah, isn’t everyone,” she mumbled low as she went to fetch the tomatoes for the salad.
“Maybe it’s your turn next. Gavin and Mick have found the loves of their lives.”
She tried for a smile, but knew it looked more like an expression of pain. “No thanks, Mom. Not ready yet.”
Her mother, busily fixing meat and cheese on the tray, arched a brow. Jenna knew all her mother’s facial expressions, so she knew what that one meant.
“Doesn’t seem to me like you’ve been trying very hard.”
“Actually, I have been trying. Trust me on this.”
“You just haven’t found the right man yet.”
She opened her mouth, about to say that she didn’t have the time to find the right man because she was always working at the bar.
But that would hurt her parents, and she wouldn’t do that.
“Yeah, that’s it.”
Her mom paused, lifted her head. “Something’s bothering you.”
“No.”
“Yes, there is. What is it?”
“It’s nothing, Mom. Really. I’m just a little tired. I had a late night last night.”
Her mother wiped her hands on a towel and came over, swept her hand over Jenna’s forehead. “Are you okay?”
Jenna laughed. Sometimes around her parents she still felt like she was six years old. “I’m fine. Just busy.”
“Are you feeling overworked at the bar?”
“No.”
Her mother gave her a disbelieving look. “You don’t take much time off. You know your dad or I can help.”
“I don’t need help. I have an assistant manager, and I do take time off.” She laid her hands over her mother’s. “Everything’s fine at the bar, and my love life is good.”
“Really. How good?”
Liz just had to walk in then, didn’t she?
“Hi, sweetie,” her mother said, beaming when Elizabeth kissed her on the cheek. “We were just talking about how tired Jenna looked.”
“No,” Jenna said. “Mom was talking about how tired I look. I was assuring her I was okay.”
“So is this about work, or is this about a guy?”
“Both,” her mom said. “I think she’s spending too much time on work, and she’s not dating anyone.”
Liz studied her. Liz, of course, was perfect, her hair pulled up as usual, makeup done, lipgloss on and she wore some designer outfit—an oversize white sweater and pale, tight pants with killer boots—that likely cost more than Jenna made in a month.
And God, Jenna loved her. They’d had a rocky start once she and Gavin had started dating, but Liz had been family before she and Gavin had fallen in love, and she was like a sister to Jenna now.
“Well, far be it for me to criticize anyone for working too hard. I’m the queen of all work and no play.” Liz drummed her fingers on the counter. “But Mom is right, Jen. You need to go out.”
“I had a date this week.”
“You did? With whom?” her mother asked.