Page 5 of First Love

I lowered next to her again. Maybe a little closer this time and handed her the plate and the silverware. I rested the napkin on my bent knee and set the water bottle between us.

“You’re probably wishing that water was wine, but we don’t serve alcohol here.”

She glanced over her shoulder at the building behind us. “Where is here?”

“This is The Cavanaugh House,” I said. “A homeless shelter.”

Her gaze immediately dropped down to the food. “Am I taking a meal from someone in need?”

“No, everyone who’s coming tonight has come and been fed. Don’t worry. There’s plenty of food.” It warmed my heart that she was concerned though. A clear indication she had a good soul. “I’m Jasper. What’s your name?”

She put a fork in the mac and cheese and moved it around a bit. “Amelia.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Amelia.” I had a billion questions, but I didn’t want to push her. I could let her get some food in her, let her have some time to breathe. Let Carla’s southern barbecue work its magic.

Her first few bites were delicate and polite. The more she ate, however, the bigger the forkfuls and the louder the yummy noises.

I leaned back on my palms, delighting in how much she was enjoying the meal. When she licked barbecue sauce off her fingertip, however, I had to bite back a groan and remind myself to be a gentleman.

Soon, she only had chicken bones left on her plate. She took a couple swigs of the water and wiped her hands and mouth thoroughly on the napkin she’d plucked from my knee.

“Thank you for that.” She set the plate on the sidewalk between us. “And thanks for not grilling me about what I’m doing here and why I was crying.”

I sat upright and put my hands up. “Hey, we all have shit days.”

“File this one under Shittiest Day Imaginable.” She sucked in a breath and sifted it out slowly.

“Is there something I can help you with?” Every instinct demanded I . . . I don’t know. Save her or something.

Amelia gestured to the plate. “You already helped.”

“That was just food. Feeding people is what we do here.” I waved a dismissive hand. “What else do you need?”

“For someone to reverse time so I can change what happened today.”

“Hmm . . . I’m pretty sure I don’t have that particular skill.” But you’d better believe I wished I did. “Sorry.”

“What about memory erasing so I don’t remember today?” She gave me an adorably hopeful look.

“Nope. Can’t do that either, but if you don’t think I’m a creep for suggesting this, I do have some bourbon back at my place that has helped me forget a thing or two on occasion.” My heart pounded as I replayed my offer in my head. Was I insane? What woman would agree to go back to some random guy’s house and—

“I like bourbon,” Amelia said, interrupting my freakout.

“Yeah?” Why was I giving her a chance to reconsider? “Let me finish up inside. You’re welcome to come in or wait here.” I rose to my feet, but she remained sitting.

“I’ll hang out here if that’s okay.”

“Totally okay. I’ll be back in a few.” Don’t change your mind, beautiful.

I nearly stumbled trying to get back inside quickly. I found Carla in the kitchen, looking at me as if I had already been sucking back the bourbon.

“She still out there?” she asked as she scrubbed dried cheddar cheese off one of the pans.

“Yes, and—”

“You want me to finish up here while you put on your superhero cape and save her day.” Carla arched an eyebrow at me. “Go, Jasper. I got this. And if I don’t, I’ll bribe Homer with extra cornbread to help me.”

I rushed forward and kissed the cheek Carla angled at me. “I don’t care what they say about you, Carla, I think you’re fantastic.”