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“I won’t be able to make it to soccer for a bit,” I say, remembering my call with Javier—bartering to get Jo’s bar fridge fixed. “A work commitment came up. Hopefully I’ll be back at it again soon.”
Jolene makes a huffy sound as she walks. Her handdoesbrush this time, and she doesn’t pull away. I let our fingers touch again, because I’m clearly losing my mind.
Slowly, she fits her small hand into mine and gives it a squeeze. “Is it because I wiped the grass with your ass last game?”
I bark out a laugh. “Your humility is astounding.”
“It’s strategy. Bragging gets into my opponents’ heads.”
Her fingers threaded through mine have the same effect. “If that’s the strategy, you’re a shoo-in for MVP.”
“I hope there’s a trophy.”
“I’ll make sure the inscription reads: In commemoration of the poorest winner.”
She elbows my side playfully, then slows her stride. “Did you not enjoy the game?”
“No, no.” I stop and face her, unable to release her hand. “Like I said at the bar, I loved the game. Can’t remember the last time I’ve had that much fun.”
“Then why are you working when you could be playing?”
Because Jolene’s happiness comes before my own.
I think ahead, my little white lie developing as I reply. “I made a promise to someone before you invited me, didn’t realize the timing would conflict. Hopefully it won’t be for too long, and I can hop back in.”
“Please tell me you’re at least planning to go to the Spring Fair in a couple weeks. Word has it Mrs. Moon’s new secret pie recipe will blow Aaron Rothman’s out of the water. And he doesnottake losing well.”
Gotta love the dramatics in this town. “I’ll do my best, but it depends on work.”
She gives her head a shake. “It’s not good for you.”
“What isn’t?”
“Working too much. I see how tired you are, Cal. How run-down. I’m worried about you.”
Now she sounds like Jake, ragging on me to slow down. Unfortunately, slow isn’t a speed I understand. “I’m good, but I appreciate you thinking about me.”
She takes a step closer. Drags her thumb down the back of my hand, sending a shiver up my spine. “I think about you a lot.”
Well…hell.
Not only does a snap of heat jolt up my thighs, but my heart has decided to test how hard it can beat against my chest, and the primal man in mewants.
I want to lean over Jolene, sift my fingers through her soft brown hair, tilt her lips up to mine. Finally kiss this woman who’s been a fixture in my life for twenty-two years, no matter how far I’ve been from her. I want to taste those words on her tongue—I think about you a lot. Test them for their truth and share mine—I think about you always.
I want to give her so much pleasure she shakes for days. I want to share more walks with her, cook with her, show up at her bar and help out just to make her life easier, lie in bed with her for hours talking, our legs tangled, until our eyelids drag us into sleep.
Iwantto use that fucking vibrator on her and watch her body bloom as she cries out my name, and I’m starting to think she maybe wants me too. Real this time, not imagined. Her little flirtations tonight. Her worry for me. The way she’s holding my hand so damn tight. And I want that too—her heart and every inch of her soul, because this clearly isn’t just attraction for me, as I’ve hoped and wished. She’s everything I want…and everything I can’t have.
A familiar surge of guilt builds in my chest, spreading at an alarming rate. I drop Jo’s hand and reach into my back pocket for the letter I damn near forgot about. “This is for you.”
Tentatively, she takes Jake’s envelope. Her eyes flick up to mine, andfuck. The look on her face nearly flattens me—hope, affection, and a hint of longing…because there’s no writing on the envelope. She probably thinks this letter is from me. The heat under her intense expression is the look of a woman who’s been harboring strong feelings for a man.
My fingers twitch to yank that note back. To tell Jake that Jolene isn’t interested, but she’s opening the flap, sneaking me a shy smile as she goes.
I think my ribs just spontaneously cracked.
She opens the note and frowns. Her eyes scan the page. There’s no missing her flattening lips and the slump in her posture. “You’re giving me a note from Jake.”
