Page 15 of Agent of the Heart (Hearts in Hawthorne #3)
“Dos Equis for me,” Darby said.
“Make it two,” Jace told the server.
“Any apps?”
He looked to Darby. “You’ve been here. Order what you want.”
“Tableside guac, please,” she said.
“Be right back.”
He chose a chip and dipped it into the salsa. After one bite, he finished the chip with enthusiasm.
“That’s delicious.”
“They make their salsa with both sweet and smoky flavors,” she explained. “It’s actually a peach and mango salsa, with three different kinds of chili peppers. Not too spicy. Just the right kick.”
“If the salsa is any indication, I think I’m going to enjoy dinner.”
The server returned after Jace perused the menu, delivering their beers.
Darby ordered sour cream chicken enchiladas, while he went with spinach and chicken ones.
His meal also came with a puffed taco. The server put in their order and then returned pushing a cart.
Jace had eaten plenty of guacamole, but he had no idea what went into it.
Fascinated, he watched as a couple of avocados were halved and shed of their skin.
The server mashed them in what Darby told him was a molcajete, a mortar and pestle created for this process.
Tomatoes and jalapenos were diced and blended in, as were tiny bites of onion.
A sprinkling of salt and cilantro completed the process, and the server mixed everything together in a large bowl before dishing it into a smaller one.
“Enjoy,” she said, placing it on the table.
“My mouth is watering,” he confided, dipping a tortilla chip into the bowl.
Darby did the same and proclaimed, “Heaven,” after swallowing.
“You aren’t kidding. How have I not heard of this place?”
“Maybe because it doesn’t have a Michelin star?” she teased.
“Guilty as charged,” he told her. “I’ve made a habit of dining at the best-known restaurants in the area. I’m in a business where being seen at the right place is the best way to get a foot in the door. No one wants a sports agent who frequents Whataburger.”
“Hey, watch your mouth,” Darby said, grinning as she downed another bite of dip and chip.
“I was thrilled when Patrick Mahomes missed Texas and Whataburger so much that he bought a franchise and had it built in KC. I’m able to get my fix of Texas in a basket once every couple of weeks by stopping there. ”
“Only every few weeks?”
She nodded. “You wouldn’t believe it from being around me this weekend, but I’m a very healthy eater.
With the wedding and barbeque and then the cookout, I’ve overindulged while I’ve been here.
Same tonight. But how can I come to Texas and not eat fabulous Mexican food?
When I return home, my regular food habits will reappear. ”
“What do you like to eat?”
“That’s good for me? I’m very fond of fish and eat it at least three times a week.
I love vegetables. I have a piece of fruit a couple of times a day.
A protein shake. Salad with a protein in it, usually chicken.
I’ve had to live on the road for ten years now, and it’s very easy to get into lazy habits and eat poorly.
The clinics I’ve taught at have hundreds of girls focusing on me—and my body—as they learn the choreography.
I want to be a good example to young women.
Eating right helps them stay healthy and also aids in endurance.
I also have taught exercise classes. I’m a big fan of PiYo. ”
“I know PiYo. I did it for about six months. It nearly killed me,” he joked.
“What do you do to stay in shape?” she asked, eyeing him with interest.
“I lift weights twice a week. More than that, and I get too bulky. Besides weightlifting, I hit the gym another three days a week. Use machines, like a lat pulldown or a leg press. Run on the treadmill or use the stationery bike. Anything to break a sweat. I also play in a basketball league. It runs November through early March.”
“You look like a basketball player. Not just because of your height but the way you move. I dated a power forward for a few months in college.”
Hearing that caused a pang of jealousy to ripple through him. Jace knew that was ridiculous. She referred to a boyfriend from ten years ago. Why would that bother him?
The server returned with their food, and it was every bit as delicious as Darby had promised. He raved over his enchiladas, giving her a bite of them.
Jace had never offered a bite of anything off his plate to anyone.
They talked about college some, with him declaring them mortal enemies after learning she had cheered for the Texas Longhorns.
“As a loyal, Fightin’ Texas Aggie, I shouldn’t even be seen in public with you,” he told her, finishing his last bite of rice mixed with beans.
“My dad said I was his daughter three hundred and sixty-four days a year, but on that one day of the year when the Aggies and Longhorns met, I was nothing but a burnt orange stranger to him.”
He smiled. “I think I would’ve liked your dad.”
Looking direct at him, Darby replied, “He definitely would have liked you.”
“So, what was your major?” he asked. “Besides majoring in cheerleading and dating.”
“Secondary education,” she replied. “I’m certified to teach English and journalism.
At one point, I thought I would go into journalism.
I was the editor-in-chief of the Hawthorne Herald , the newspaper at HHS.
Then Kelby and I got a chance to lead cheerleading workshops in the summer.
It allowed us to travel all around the country and see places we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to otherwise.
Leading clinics also helped us stay in good shape.
And it involved teaching, which I found I really enjoyed, so journalism merely became a teaching field to me as I focused on my education classes. I assume you were a business major.”
“Guilty as charged,” he told her, sipping on his water since he’d finished his beer.
“I was selected as a President’s Promise Scholarship student, which meant I had a full ride at A&M.
Because of that and the education I received there, I am a generous donor to the school and that fund, in particular. ”
He paused, deciding to see what she would think about them seeing one another again in the future.
“Maybe we should attend the game between the Aggies and Longhorns this November,” he ventured.
She smirked at him. “You mean the Longhorns and the Aggies?”
“Tomato, to-mah-to.”
Darby looked at him. “You’re serious.”
“I am. I suppose since I’ve seen you do nothing but smile since I’ve known you, I should get to see when you’re teary-eyed and morose after a Longhorn loss.”
Darby shook her head. “You talk a big game, Tanner.”
He grinned. “You afraid to be seen with me decked out in maroon, Montgomery?”
“Not in the least. You’ll be the one crying in your beer.” She paused. “I’ll need to check my calendar, though.” She swallowed, toying with her napkin, slowly shredding it.
“Hey, I’ll fly you down from Kansas City.
My treat. I usually attend the game. It’ll be easy to get another ticket for you.
” He saw hesitation in her eyes and wondered if he had read things wrong between them.
If she had a steady boyfriend back home.
If she’d been caught up in the kisses they’d shared but was now feeling guilty about them.
Whatever it was, he deserved an answer. Jace could feel a protective layer of ice encircling his heart. He kicked himself for letting down his guard and being so open with this woman.
Worse, he worried he was already addicted to the taste of her.
“What’s going on, Darby?” he asked gruffly. “I think you owe me an explanation.”
She shook her head. “It’s not what you think. You see, I won’t be in KC come that game in November.” She hesitated and then caused his world to begin spinning.
“I’m moving to Hawthorne, Jace. I’m going to be the new cheer coach and publications’ sponsor at Hawthorne High School.”