Page 48 of Only You

“Boyfriend jeans are the most comfortable,” Kayla stated.

“But they hide your figure,” Josie argued.

“I’ll take the teal sweater in size medium,” Ryan was saying.

Jack warred with himself. Should he approach Kayla or pretend like he hadn’t seen her?

“Jack, it’s your turn.” Ryan spoke loudly enough for everyone in the vicinity to hear him.

Kayla twisted her head around, and her eyes widened. Jack gave her a sheepish smile and waved.

“Go say hi to your girlfriend,” Ryan said.

Jack scowled at him, but before he could move, Kayla and Josie approached him.

“Hello, Jack,” Kayla said briskly. Then she shifted her gaze to Ryan and the clerk.

“Hey, Kayla,” Ryan said before Jack had a chance to respond. “Who is your friend?”

“I wondered the same thing,” Kayla said, looking from Jack to the clerk.

“Oh. Um …” Jack mumbled.

“This kind lady is helping us shop for our moms,” Ryan explained.

“I’ll check back with you in a few minutes.” The clerk gave them a stiff smile and scurried away.

Reaching around Jack, Ryan offered his hand to Josie. “I’m Ryan … Kayla’s boyfriend’s best friend.”

Josie shook his hand and gaped at Kayla. “Boyfriend?”

“Yes,” Jack confirmed.

“It’s a long story,” Kayla said, scowling at Jack.

“I’m Josie, Kayla’s roommate,” Josie said to Ryan.

Ryan smiled knowingly, but Jack silenced him with a look.

“How is the Christmas shopping going?” Jack asked Kayla, desperate to change the subject.

“Good,” Kayla replied, tightening her hold on a Macy’s bag.

“The only gifts we’ve bought so far are for ourselves,” Josie joked. “Kayla bought a red dress, and I bought some boots.”

Jack gazed at Kayla and raised his eyebrows. “A red dress, huh?”

Kayla shifted uncomfortably and averted her eyes. “It’s for the holidays.”

“Of course,” Jack said, smirking.

“Hey, maybe you two would like to join us for lunch,” Ryan suggested.

The other three spoke at once.

“No,” chimed Jack and Kayla.

“Sure,” said Josie.