On paper, he’s absolutely perfect, and I know that as soon as I move past these pesky feelings for a certain sarcastic mechanic, I will feel exactly what I’m supposed to for him.
The seven-minute drive to my mom’s house passes in near-constant conversation. That’s another great thing about Jack, right? There’s rarely any silence. He always has something to talk about. Some case, or thing he saw back home. He shares every thought in his mind and encourages me to do the same.
With Sawyer, there were times when we would sit in complete silence. Whether I was working at the shop and he was sitting at the table working on his puzzles, or nights when I’d go over to the shop and we’d sit together and go over our business ledgers.
Silence.
Maybe constantly talking about things is something that will be really nice once I get used to it.
Yeah. I can do this.
But when I turn the car onto my mom’s street and see Sawyer’s black Harley parked right outside, my treacherous heart leaps in my chest. It’s been nearly two months since he attended a dinner. And then he’d only come because Zane cornered him at his shop and convinced him to show.
Now he’s here.
Tonight, of all nights.
I glance over at Jack and force a smile when I see him watching me. “Hungry?”
“Very much so.”
“Good.” I force my attention ahead and park, my hands trembling just slightly. Get it together, Anastasia.
Chapter 3
Sawyer
“I am so happy you’re here.” Linda wraps an arm around my waist and leans against me in a half-hug, while I finish dicing apples. The aroma of cinnamon and sugar dances in the air around me, mixing with the savory scent of the dinner she’s prepared for everyone.
“Me, too.” I don’t add that the only reason I am here is because Zane came by the shop and gave me a major guilt trip. Zane, who isn’t even here yet. He’d made it a point to tell me how his mother kept mentioning how much she wished I were coming.
The truth is, though, that I’ve missed dinner night with Linda.
Don’t get me wrong, she and I still get together for lunch occasionally, but I don’t get to see her nearly enough, and I know she suspects it has a lot to do with her daughter. Which, of course, is absolutely correct. The woman misses nothing.
Anastasia has always been the greatest source of my joy, but loving her from a distance has been the most dangerous thing I’ve ever done.
Linda releases me and stirs the sauce she has simmering on the stove. Tonight will be a lean group as Weston is out camping somewhere on the ranch he helps run, and Ryker is out of town on a mission for Knight Security, leaving me the only single one of the group.
Fantastic.
“You know, Momma Knox, we’re both third wheels tonight,” I tell her. “Wanna be my date?”
She laughs and gently smacks my arm. “I suppose I could do worse.”
“That’s the spirit.” I flash her a smile, but when the door opens and Jack walks in, Anastasia beside him, it takes every bit of strength and training I have to keep that smile level. Who knew being a Navy SEAL would also help me play pretend happy whenever the woman I love is with her doting new boyfriend?
Anastasia’s hazel gaze lands on me a moment before she smiles and turns toward her mom. “Hi, Momma.” The women embrace.
“Hey, Babygirl.” She pulls away, then turns to him. “And hello to you, Mr. Weathers.”
“Hey, Momma Knox.”
It sears my insides that he calls her that. Come on, Maddox. The jealousy is ridiculous.
“Hey, Sawyer,” Jack greets.
“Hey. I’d shake your hand, but busy,” I gesture to the apples I’m arranging in a pie dish. Of course, Linda told me just to dump them in and be done with it, but he doesn’t have to know that.
