Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 105825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
My dad gave him a warm, double-handed handshake. “Russ,” he insisted. “Glad you could make it.”
Miles was suddenly beside me and he shook JD’s hand, too. “Miles,” he told JD. “Lorna’s brother. Thank you for keeping her safe.” He sounded happy and genuine but I could see how pale his skin was, and he kept his black Ray-Bans on as if the sunlight was painful.
JD turned to Cody. “And how are you doing?” They started talking, Cody full of stories about the flight home from Mexico and the swim meet he’d been to the day before. A lot of adults are awkward around kids, either patronizing or stand-offish. But JD was easy and natural.
Paige stepped forward and introduced herself. Then, as JD turned back to my dad, she caught my eye, mouthed OMG, and fanned herself.
“I can’t thank you enough for what you did for Lorna and Cody,” said my dad. “Look, I’ve got to go smile for photos while the mayor cuts the ribbon. But as soon as this thing’s over, I was going to sail the family out around the bay: my yacht’s moored right here. Will you join us? There’ll be cold beer and proper food: none of this canapé crap.”
JD rubbed at his stubble and looked as if he was trying to come up with a polite excuse for why he couldn’t. Then he glanced at me for a second, looked back to my dad, and said, “Thanks. I’d like that.”
A silvery ribbon of excitement spiraled up through my chest. Stop it, I told myself. God, I was like a teenager around him. I shuffled my feet. I had no idea what to say: it had been years since a guy had shown an interest in me and I’d been awkward even back then.
My dad led the way towards the marina entrance, where the press were waiting. JD fell into step next to me and the looming presence of him there was thrilling. I kept glancing sideways at him, and then he glanced at me and caught my eye, and his lips twitched into a smile, and I flushed and looked away.
“Oh, just so you know,” said my dad, not looking back, “you may need to say a few words.”
I stopped in my tracks. “What? Don’t joke!”
My dad slowed and glanced back. “I’m not joking. Everyone’s asking about the architect. So when the mayor sees you, he’ll probably want you to make a little speech.”
“No!” I could feel my chest going tight. Public speaking is my worst fear. I’m shy just talking to one stranger and there were hundreds of people here. “No, no way!”
“You’ll do great, mom,” said Cody, ever-loyal.
I bobbed my head in thanks but then shook my head: no way. And then, before I realized what I was doing, I glanced at JD for support.
He was looking around at the marina. Then he looked at me, his blue eyes wide with amazement, and he cocked his head to one side. “You designed all this?”
There was none of the skepticism I get from some men. He wasn’t shocked and disbelieving because I was a woman, or a mom. He just sounded genuinely impressed and I wasn’t prepared for the warm glow that triggered. I nodded. Then, to my dad, “Hard no on the speech, dad.”
He sighed. “You two had better stay back here, then, so the mayor doesn’t see you. C’mon, Cody.” He, Cody, and Paige headed off toward the press. I let out a long sigh of relief, glad that I’d escaped.
Then I glanced across at JD and realization hit. I stared at my dad’s retreating back, and mumbled under my breath, “Oh, you sneaky son of a—”
My dad had played me. There’d never been any danger of the mayor asking me to make a speech. My dad had said it so I’d stay here, alone with JD. This was his idea of matchmaking.
We stood there in silence. I stared at my feet, letting my hair fall forward to hide my face. I was thinking furiously. I’d been in mom mode since my ex left, almost nine years ago. How do you flirt?
Then a waiter came over and offered JD a tray of miniature cheese soufflés, each one the size of a dime, the tops drizzled with redcurrant jus. JD stared at the tray, bemused, then shook his head politely.
“This isn’t exactly your kind of place, is it?” I blurted.
“Is it that obvious?” He glanced down at his jeans and then around at the other men. “Didn’t realize everyone’d be all dressed up.” His voice was warm with humor: he could laugh at himself and I loved that. If my ex had felt out of place at a party, he’d have been sour and snappy (because somehow it would have been my fault) and we’d have left after ten minutes. I felt myself relax just a little. My eyes flicked between his wide shoulders and the melon-like biceps that stretched out the sleeves of his white shirt and black denim jacket. “You look great just as you are,” I said with feeling.