Page 15 of The Sandover Beach Billionaire

“In a hurry?” Mercer asked.

“Yep.” Jenna didn’t want to make small talk and Mercer seemed okay with silence, hovering near the end of the aisle with her cart of boxes while Jenna checked out.

She was just taking her receipt when Jackson appeared at the end of the aisle. “I can take care of this, Mercer. Jenna and I are old friends.”

Mercer nodded and walked away. Jackson put a paper grocery sack on top of the boxes in the cart Mercer left behind and waited for Jenna to join him with her cart.

“That’s really not necessary,” Jenna said.

“Let me help you out to the car. We pride ourselves at customer service here at Bohn’s.”

Jackson gave her a wide smile that only made Jenna feel worse. Why did he continue to be kind when she was doing her best to push him away? Jenna didn’t speak again as she led the way to her car. Jackson put the boxes flat in the trunk and helped her arrange the plastic bags of groceries in the back seat. He seemed comfortable working in silence, though Jenna felt anything but comfortable. Guilty, yes. Nervous, yes. Strangely happy? Also yes.

“This is for you.” Jackson handed her a paper grocery sack. Seeing her face, he laughed. “It’s not poison. You left your shoes the other day at the beach. I brought them up here in case you stopped by.”

“Oh. Thank you. It’s heavy. What else is in the bag?”

“I added a few extra things. Think of it as a care package.”

Jenna flushed, and she stood next to her car, awkwardly holding the bag. She immediately wanted to dig into it and see what kinds of things Jackson Wells would put in a care package for her. It probably had safe choices like ice cream or chips—snack foods anyone would like. Jackson put his hands in his pockets, looking pleased with himself. She set the bag in the passenger seat. Jenna tried not to let his crooked smile affect her in any way. Must resist that roguish charm.

“What do I owe you?”

“Nothing. It’s a gift.”

“Thank you.” Her voice came out softer than she had meant it to. His kindness overwhelmed her. “Well, I guess I better go.”

“Great to see you again, Jenna.” She was about to shut the door when he grasped the edge of it, holding it open. “I know that we haven’t been friends. But if you need anything, I’m here. Literally, here at Bohn’s, as you’ve discovered. But here for you.”

Jenna’s mouth went dry. Jackson’s honey-brown eyes held her captive, stealing the thoughts right from her head. The fading evening light made his cheekbones look more defined, his jaw stronger. He looked like the kind of person she could confide in, the kind of man who could take care of her. For the first time, she realized that she was seeing him as he was now, not colored with the bad memories she had of him.

She wanted to be strong. Strong enough that she could handle the events of the last year without completely falling apart. Strong enough that she could rein in the flurry of emotions set free in her when Jackson stood close. After everything she had been through with Mark, she couldn’t afford to trust another man. The only two guys she had ever loved had cheated on her, leaving her heartbroken. And Jackson Wells was a bigger player than either of them. Or had been.

Who was he now? Could she trust in the image he was selling now, or was it just that—an image that he was selling? She couldn’t afford to find out. There wasn’t enough of her heart left to risk.

“I … I need to go.” Clenching her jaw, Jenna pulled the door hard enough that Jackson was forced to let go. Jenna pulled away, but couldn’t help looking in the rearview mirror. He stood where she’d left him, hands in pockets, watching her drive away. The sight made her want to turn the car around and take him up on his offer. She didn’t know what she needed or what exactly he was offering, but she wanted to say yes. Badly.

She really should have gone to Harris Teeter.

---