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My better nature tells me to back off. It’s not worth it. Then I remember how passionate Maddie gets when she talks about this story, the same passion infusing every word on her website.
The truth—our most important value—is that I’d do anything for her, even if it means risking everything.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
Madison
I freeze when Mom mentions Jacob.
“Are you excited about yourdatewith Jacob?”
I’m standing in the kitchen, chopping vegetables, but I pause when she uses the D-word. It’s almost as much of a bombshell as the V-word was back in the apartment after the interview when Jacob basically glared me out the door.
Mom laughs, taking off her blazer and throwing it over the back of the armchair. “Relax. He told me about it today. You’re working on the dog-theft story together. I think it’s great.”
“You do?” I say, watching her closely.
She beams, nodding. “You get expert help with your website, make a connection in the journalism world… and I get the chance to see him more often.”
I swallow, acidic discomfort swirling around my body.
“And you want that?” I ask.
Mom looks around the apartment. It’s like she’s purposefully avoiding looking at me.
“Of course, I do.” She turns away, heading for the bathroom door.
Ofcourse,she does? What does that mean?
Imagining Mom wanting Jacob is too painful, almost as anxiety-producing as the thought of tomorrow—the meeting at the restaurant downtown with me, Jacob, and Clarissa. It’s work, I tell myself. It’s not a road to more heat. It’s not about lust and affection and everything that comes after.
Yeah,right.
* * *
“We have to be careful,” Jacob says, sitting across from me in the car.
He’s wearing a casual, pale blue shirt, the sleeves rolled up, his forearms firm and manly and so tempting I could melt.
I climb into the car and sit here, that’s all. No kiss. No sign of the lust we shared. Maybe we’re going to try to fight it or pretend it never happened.
As though reading my thoughts, he smirks at me. “That’s what I’m practicing now, Maddie. Being careful… that means no kissing, no touching in public.”
I glance at the divide separating us from the driver.
“He can’t hear us,” Jacob says.
“You wouldn’t want anybody knowing we’re together,” I mutter.
He leans across the short divide, staring down at me. This close, the memories of yesterday evening are even more potent. My sex and my nipples tingle, as if reliving the lust at double speed.
“What’s wrong with you, Maddie?”
“A smart man once said, ‘It’s silly to give away your motive unless you have to.’”
He smirks, laughing lightly. The laughter causes his warm breath to touch my forehead in that teasing way.
“If you want to quote me back to myself, quote this… I amnotashamed of you. I’d happily be seen with you in public.”
