Page 42 of The Sandover Beach Billionaire

Chapter Thirteen

When Jenna calledhim a few hours before their date on Sunday night, Jackson had to fight back panic. He had been waiting for things to go wrong since they had stepped out of the elevator. He hoped for the best, obviously, but in his experience, too many good things at once meant disappointment. And the conversation and the kiss had been very, very good things.

He could hear it in her voice as soon as he answered. “What’s wrong?”

Jenna sighed. “Here’s the thing: Rachel told the realtor we’d put the house on the market Saturday.”

“This Saturday? Like, this weekend. Why did she say that? She’s not even here.”

“That’s what I said. Anyway. I don’t want to cancel dinner. But … I’m also stressed out and up to my neck in boxes.”

Jackson could hear the overwhelm in her voice. “I’ve got this. You stay. I’m going to show up in a bit with supplies: food, more food, and anything else you need. What else do you need?”

“I don’t want to drag you into this. It’s depressing. And not fun.”

“You’re not dragging me into anything. You and I will make it fun—well, as fun as this task can be. Now, what can I bring?”

Her voice sounded relieved. “Besides food, which it sounds like you’ve got covered, I need some music or something. It’s too quiet over here. Everything echoes. Do you have some kind of Bluetooth speaker thing or whatever the kids are using these days? Mom didn’t have anything like that. Well, a boom box that still worked somehow. But I donated it to the Goodwill along with her horrendous music selection.”

Jackson chuckled. “I’m on it.”

“Are you sure? I mean, this is hardly a good first date.”

“If we count the elevator as our first date, then this seems like a perfectly appropriate second date. Any food preferences? Cravings? Things you hate.”

“I hate pickles. Otherwise? Surprise me.”

That wasn’t stressful at all—surprising a woman he had liked from a distance for years but barely knew. But if there was one thing Jackson could do, it was rising to the challenge, especially where Jenna was concerned. Even if that meant getting takeout and ordering one of everything. He was going to get this right.

His relationships in the past had been shallow at best. Jackson hadn’t even been on a date since he became a Christian, so he didn’t know what this looked like in reality. The three guys he trusted as examples—Beau, Jimmy, and Cash—weren’t dating anyone. Well, Jimmy was, but Jackson was just waiting for him to announce that he broke up with Amber. He was clearly still hung up on his ex.

Jackson hadn’t really seen a great example of what it looked like to date seriously, intentionally, and with God as part of the equation. But he knew that he wanted to treasure Jenna, to woo her, to win her over. He wanted this to end with her walking down the aisle toward him. That thought should have shocked him, but it only got him more excited.

Yeah, it was fast. But they weren’t kids with no experience. He hadn’t met her and fallen in insta-love. But he knew Jenna had—up until a few days ago—acted like he was gum on the bottom of her shoe. It seemed like he was finally getting the second chance he wanted. And then some. It terrified him, but Jackson felt more determined than ever. Pushing had worked, so he would keep on pushing until he got past all her walls and found his way to her heart.

* * *

Jenna felt a giddy, girlish excitement to see Jackson on the porch. She meant to play it cool, especially considering they hadn’t talked yet about where they stood. Instead she opened the door and launched herself at him. He took a step back, thankfully not falling off the front porch, and shifted the bags in his arms, doing his best to return the embrace with no free hands. With her face pressed into his neck, she felt suddenly shy.

“Hey,” she said, her lips barely grazing against the stubble on his neck. Did he always have that amazing five o’clock shadow? How often did he have to shave? These were questions she wanted answered. If not right now, very soon.

He chuckled. “This is the best greeting I’ve had maybe ever. Hey right back at you.” When Jenna didn’t make a move to let go of him, he shifted on his feet. “Not that I’m complaining per se, but these bags aren’t getting any lighter. I’d love to be able to hug you back.”

Jenna pulled away and grinned at him. “Were all those muscles just for show? You can’t lift a few grocery store bags yourself?”

“Oh, you noticed my muscles, huh?”

“No. Maybe. It’s not like you aren’t aware that you have them.”

Jackson just gaped at her while she swiped one of the bags from his hand and darted into the house. She giggled, hearing him chase after her to the kitchen, where they both arrived a little breathless and grinning. Jackson set his bags down on the floor and walked purposefully toward Jenna.

“Now I can give you a proper hug.” He pulled her in close, wrapping his arms around her waist and bending his head to the place where her shoulder met her neck. “With my muscles.”

She giggled again and he smiled, lips tracing over her skin and sending shivers all the way down her legs. “How did you get in such good shape, anyway?”

He stiffened against her and didn’t answer right away. Touchy subject?

“I have a punching bag under the house. And I work out with Beau and Jimmy at the station sometimes.”

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