Page 49 of Only You

“Great. Where and when?” Ryan asked her, ignoring Jack and Kayla.

“We still have a lot of shopping to do,” Jack reminded Ryan.

“So do we,” Kayla said to Josie.

“We have to eat lunch sometime,” Josie argued.

“Why don’t we meet in the food court at 11:30?” Ryan asked.

“Sounds perfect,” Josie said, beaming.

“Okay,” Kayla muttered.

“Perfect,” Jack grumbled.

Then Kayla grabbed Josie’s wrist and pulled her away.

“See you in a little while,” Ryan called as they retreated.

Once they’d gone, Jack turned to him. “What in the hell did you do that for?”

“I was just being nice.”

“Nice, my ass.”

Ryan chuckled. “Your ass isn’t bad. I can see why the ladies like it.”

Jack frowned. “I wanted to avoid Kayla today, not have lunch with her!”

“Don’t be ridiculous. It’s just lunch,” Ryan argued.

Jack narrowed his eyes. “This is about Josie, isn’t it?”

“What about her?”

“You think she’s hot, and that’s why you invited them to lunch.”

“She is hot. Is she available?”

“According to Kayla, she’s a little too available, if you know what I mean.”

Ryan looked intrigued. “Explain it to me.”

“She has loud sex … Never mind.” Whatever he said would just make Josie more appealing in Ryan’s eyes.

Suddenly, the clerk reappeared. “You’re still here,” she said, sounding pleasantly surprised.

“Yes, but we need to get going. Jack, tell her about your mom’s coloring,” Ryan prompted him.

Now he’s in a hurry. Jack smiled politely at the clerk, since none of this was her fault. After she helped him choose a sweater, he and Ryan walked away with their purchases.

“Let’s hit up the men’s cologne counter. We should buy some for ourselves while we’re at it,” Ryan suggested.

“I already have cologne,” Jack sniped. Then he recalled Kayla’s perfume collection on his dresser. I choose a perfume based on my mood, she’d explained. As they rode down the escalator, Jack wondered if he’d find a scent to fit his current mood—surly and frustrated.