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“Nice to see you too, sweetheart.”
“Forgive me and my manners; I didn’t mean it to sound like that. It’s always great to see you. It’s been a while. What’s brought you to Winslow Grove and better yet, this fundraiser?”
“Well, I do love Mrs. Parker’s brownies.” He licks his lips and casts a glance at the quickly dwindling tray of said brownies. “Shoot, I don’t suppose there’s any way you’d let me jump the line or put a few of those aside for me?” He pats his pocket. “I’m good for it. Promise.”
Snorting, I pull him by his sleeve away from the crowd and gawkers, as well as out of earshot. “Don’t worry your pretty little head. There’s more where they came from. Mrs. Parker has donated a bottomless supply of brownies. You’ll get some. Now tell me, how are you and why are you really here?”
I can’t put my finger on it, but something tells me Jett didn’t come all this way for only the brownies. And even still, if he did, why now and why show up at the library? If he was really here for the chocolatey goodness, he’d have gone to Beyond the Cake where he can get them any time.
“I find it hilarious that you’re having a hard time with the idea that I’m simply dropping in to say hello.”
Folding my arms, I keep my gaze focused on him while trying not to say a word. All I had to do was wait him out. Jett’s a talker, and give him a breath or two and he’ll fill the silence.
“Fine. Word got out that you’re the mastermind behind a new fan-dangled program.” He hooks his fingers into his pant loops and rocks back on his heels. “You’ve created quite a stir in Prospect, even Helena.”
This could be a good sign; word is spreading to other towns. Does this mean the city council are talking about the program? They wouldn’t do that if they planned to reject it.
Curiosity piqued, I raise a brow. “Oh, have I? This still doesn’t explain why you’re here and why Bright Horizons interests you. Last I heard, you weren’t a foster kid.”
This time, he cocks his head back and belts out a laugh that once more causes far too many intense stares at us. That’s when I notice him.
Oliver stands in the line with his gaze fixed on Jett and me huddled in the corner like we’re whispering secrets. I hope he doesn’t get the wrong idea. I could call him over, but the men don’t really know each other, and the entire town isn’t supposed to know anything is going on between us. For the past several years, we’ve been merely acquaintances.
Something has been off about Oliver for the past several days. We still spend most nights together, although he has been withdrawn. I haven’t pushed, chalking up his behavior to our situation. This sneaking around, holding our breath while Dot toys with us, is exhausting and disturbing.
While he was vague about how his talk went with her last week, I could tell from his demeanor that it had been useless. She refuses like always, and we’re still stuck together, but apart.
Jett calls my name and it snaps me out of my wonderings. I blink up at him. “Sorry, what did you say?”
He examines me like he’ll be quizzed later on how many freckles I have, and it causes me to squirm. Slowly, or is it reluctantly, he looks away from me to cast a glance over his shoulder. Most probably to see what had my attention.
Only it isn’t just a glance. For far too long, Jett’s fixed on Oliver, or at least that’s how it looks from where I’m standing.
The men lock gazes for what feels like a millennium, and when Jett finally swings back to face me, his lips twitch in an annoying, “I know your secret” kind of way. He can’t possibly know Oliver and I are together.
Suddenly, it’s hot and suffocating in here, and I want to run outside, take a large gulp of the autumn air, and maybe stay out there until both Jett and Oliver leave.
“So, why’s Winslow glaring at me like he wants me six feet under?”
“What?” I bark out a laugh and cringe at how much it sounds like a duck honk. “I don’t know.”
I shrug, trying to play it off, but the gesture is an epic fail. I’m stiff and awkward and end up feeling and definitely looking guilty.
“Sure.” Now his lip twitch becomes a full-on smile. “Anyway, I came for the brownies and to tell you I’m impressed with what I’m hearing about this program of yours. I think it’s a great idea and I’d like to help.”
“Help?”
“Well, I can’t make any promises. I have to talk to my family, and I have to warn you, nothing moves quickly when all my brothers and sisters get involved. Seriously, they can’t even agree on the sky being blue.” He grins down at me and I’m confused.
“I’m sorry. What do you mean by help?”
“Well, I can’t say how exactly. Not until I’ve talked to my family. We’ll figure something out.” He shamelessly winks.
“This is great.” I jump on the spot, excited at the idea of more support for the program.
“Hell, yeah.” He lifts me off the ground and twirls me around.
“Jett, put me down.” I playfully bat his shoulder and he obliges. “Thank you for even exploring this.”
