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day baking.”
    Lisa shifted uncomfortably under his gaze and studied the specials to avoid looking at him. “It was interesting. I never knew how much work went into it.” When she finally looked up a minute later, she noticed Jake still studying her intently and quickly looked away. “So, what do you recommend here?”
    Sighing, Jake tapped his menu. “The chicken salad is excellent, but don’t tell Deb I said that. If you like seafood, the black bass is caught local and very good. I could go on and on here.”
    After studying the menu again, Lisa finally decided and lay her menu down. “I’m going with the cheeseburger.”
    Jake smiled and placed a hand on his chest. “A girl after my own heart.”
    Lisa grinned as their waitress came to take their orders and brought back two lemonades. A hush fell over their table as she struggled with what to say. As the silence lingered, she began tracing the rim of her glass with her pinky.
    Clearing his throat, Jake said, “So, tell me about yourself.”
    Surprised, she almost knocked her glass over. “What do you want to know?”
    Jake chuckled and gestured with his hand. “Everything. Where’d you go to school? Do you have any siblings? Tell me about your parents.”
    Lisa considered his questions as she sipped her lemonade. “I tried community college, but it wasn’t for me. They didn’t really have the program I was interested in. I’m an only child, and my mom still lives in Annapolis with her boyfriend, Richard.”
    There was a long pause as he seemed to wait for her to continue. When she didn’t, he asked, “What did you want to study at school?”
    Lisa grew uncomfortable. She didn’t want to tell him about her writing skills. It was far too personal. But as he continued to hold her gaze, she knew she couldn’t get out of it without answering. “English, I guess. I couldn’t really figure it out.”
    “And what about your father?”
    His question was innocent enough. He couldn’t possibly know. Even as Lisa told herself this, she could feel her body tense and her walls slamming down. “I haven’t seen my father since I was twelve.” She could hear how icy her voice had become, but couldn’t seem to help it.
    Jake covered her hand with his. “I’m sorry.”
    Snatching her hand back, Lisa placed it in her lap. The last thing she needed, or wanted, was his pity. “I’m not.”
    After that, their food arrived and Lisa picked at her burger in silence. Amazing, how after all this time, just the mention of her father could still affect her this way. It made it easier for her to remember why she needed to keep guys at a distance. Even ones who seemed as sweet as Jake.
    He pushed his plate away after finishing the last few bites of his sandwich. “Listen, I’m sorry if I upset you. I didn’t mean to bring up a sore subject for you.”
    Leaning back, she crossed her arms. “It’s fine,” she insisted. “Ancient history.”
    Jake sighed and placed his hat back on. Reaching across the table, he grabbed her hand again. “I’m trying to get to know you. But if you won’t give me a chance, let me in- even a little, how do you know this couldn’t be something great?”
    Lisa opened her mouth to argue, but was interrupted when the waitress suddenly appeared with the check. She reached for it, but he was faster.
    “Just think about it,” he said standing and pushing his chair in. “And let me know if you ever change your mind.” Kissing her hand, he took the bill, and with a tip of his hat, was gone.

 
     
    Chapter 10
     
    As Lisa drove home, she alternated between anger and tears. But she wasn’t even sure she was angry at Jake. He hadn’t really done anything wrong. Could she truly blame him for her screwed-up past? She knew she was furious with herself. Why was she letting her past dictate her present? Her father had been out of her life for twelve years and Eric for three. How much longer was she going to allow them to rule her life?