Page 63 of Jay Bird

Mia seemed to be considering her words. “Because he’s just Jay Bird. He’s quiet, very private, and broody. He loves the team, don’t misunderstand me, but he’s not exactly the guy everyone expects to start handing out hugs and opening his home to strangers.”

Willow looked toward the house. “He’s great with Lily.”

“Oh, we’ve all noticed that. And we’ve noticed how great he is with you.”

Willow felt her cheeks warm. She hated how easily that happened lately.

Willow stared down at her hands. “I don’t understand it. After everything I went through for three years, I shouldn’t feel anything toward a man. I was basically a slave, Mia. I was scared for my life every day. Even when he wasn’t hurting me, I was waiting for the next time he would.” Willow drew in a shaky breath. “So why am I sitting here thinking about another man four days after I’ve known him, after I escaped a living hell not even a month ago? Jay Bird is huge. He can be intimidating as hell. Everything about him should make me want to keep my distance.”

“But?”

Willow looked toward the yard. “But I feel safe with him. He listens. He doesn’t crowd me. He seems to know when I need him nearby and when I need space.” She smiled. “And Lily absolutely adores him. The kid has basically Velcroed herself to his leg.”

Mia laughed. “That’s an accurate description.”

“I don’t understand her either. She was terrified of men.”

“Maybe she knows something.”

Willow looked at her, and Mia shrugged.

“Kids operate on instinct. Especially kids who’ve had to learn who is safe and who isn’t.”

“My instincts like him too,” she admitted.

Mia’s smile slowly returned. “Oh?”

“Don’t.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t have to.”

Willow felt her cheeks warming. Then apparently her mouth decided humiliating her further was today’s entertainment.

“I kissed him.”

Mia’s eyes widened. “You what?” she shouted.

“Keep your voice down!”

Mia slapped a hand over her mouth, laughing. “Sorry. Where?”

“His cheek.”

“Oh.”

Willow narrowed her eyes. “What does oh mean?”

“Nothing. I just briefly thought we had made significantly more progress.”

“Mia!”

Camden startled at Willow’s raised voice and stared at them.

Willow covered her face. “It was barely even a kiss.”

“What did he do?”