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She let out a shaky laugh. “Our second date, and I’m making a total mess of it.”
His hand found its way over her thigh, caressing her through her jeans. “It isn’t the average second date, I’ll admit, but I wouldn’t want average. What about you? Would an average guy make you happy?”
“No, that’s not what I want.”
“I thought not.” His touch moved higher until he was an inch away from the juncture of her legs. “Now, hush and watch the movie, woman.”
The tenderness in Jensen’s voice stopped her like nothing else could. She turned toward the TV and settled in. Truth be told, Sheldon didn’t have anything on Jensen. Never mind the same league, Jensen played on an entirely different planet.
By the time she left, with a promise to text him when she got home safely, Marquetta realized she had enough fodder for several nights of hot, erotic dreams. Problem was, did she want any of them to become reality?
The next day, Marquetta strode into the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee from the freshly brewed pot before walking to the sliding glass doors leading out to her patio. As she stepped out, a gust of cool morning air hit her in the face. She loved Sunday mornings. It was her favorite day of the week because everything seemed shiny and new.
Sitting in one of the patio chairs, she tucked her legs under her and took a sip of the steaming dark liquid in her mug and waited for Axel and Gavin to arrive. She’d called them first thing that morning and asked them to come over. She’d finally made a decision to deal with her two overprotective brothers, and Marquetta didn’t want to wait another day to confront them. Whether or not they were going to like what she had to say to them was up for debate.
Her mind went back over the previous evening, and a smile curved the corners of her mouth. She’d had such a good time with Jensen. When was the last time she’d enjoyed spending time in a man’s company? Too long. Again, Axel’s words about letting go of the past sprang to mind. Marquetta knew it was way past time for her to stop hiding. Enough of her life had been stolen by grief, and she didn’t want to lose even one more day. Oh, she would always mourn the loss of her child, but the half life she’d been living wasn’t going to bring the baby back. It was time to move on; she could feel it. Things were changing, shifting. Thinking of the baby no longer brought on a dose of guilt. She could think of no better way to start fresh than to enroll in college once again. A trickle of fear rode her spine at the thought of research papers and exams, but she’d put it off long enough.
“Boo,” a deep male voice whispered against her ear.
Marquetta jumped and turned her head. Damn, she’d been so caught up in her thoughts that she never even heard Axel arriving. “Shit, Axel! You scared the devil out of me.”
“You were lost in thought, sis.” He tugged on a lock of her hair. “Anything I can help with?”
“No, but you might want to brace yourself for what I have to tell you, big brother.”
Instantly Axel stiffened. “What happened?”
She tsked. “Nothing happened, but I have made a decision. One I think you’ll approve of.”
He pulled the other folding chair close and sat, his legs spread out in front of him. “If you tell me you’re running off to Vegas to get hitched, I can tell you that I definitely do not approve.”
She laughed. “Idiot, of course not.” Taking a deep breath, she said, “But I have decided that it’s time I go back to school.”
Axel’s gaze widened. “For real?”
She held up a hand. “Yes, but don’t get carried away. I haven’t set any plans into motion. I only just now decided, to tell the truth.”
“This is the best news I’ve heard all year.” He leaned forward and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “I’m so freaking proud of you.”
“Well, hold that thought, because it’s been a long time and I’m rusty,” she warned. “I might just flunk out.”
“Bull, you’re the smartest one of the three of us. Of course you won’t flunk out. Have you told Gavin?”
“Told Gavin what?”
Marquetta looked behind her to find Gavin’s large frame filling the doorway to the back patio. “No, I haven’t told Gavin. That’s why I asked you both here, dork.”
Gavin strode over and sat on the picnic table. “What did I miss?”
“I was just telling Axel that I’ve decided to go back to college. I want to get my graphic design degree, and I’m not putting it off any longer.”
Gavin slapped his thigh. “About time you got off your ass and did s
omething about that amazing talent of yours.”
Marquetta rolled her eyes. “Thanks, I think.”
He waved a hand in the air. “So, what brought on the sudden change of heart? Does it have anything to do with that guy at the shop?” He wagged his eyebrows. “The one you went to dinner with?”
