Page 11 of You've Got Male

She did not smile back. In fact, she made a big show of looking over his head and ignoring him, which he found amusing.

Sunshineindeed.

“Did everyone get a copy of the agenda?” Evie asked, all prim and proper from her makeshift podium, which looked more music-stand-from-the-local-middle-school than presidential.

No one listened. Not even Jonah. He was too busy taking her all in. She’d opted for the pink top and ass-hugging jeans and she looked lickable. The silky pink number cupped her breasts to perfection. Then there were her legs. Covered in denim so tight, the fabric hid nothing. Long and toned and the kind of legs a man could spend hours exploring—yoga legs. He knew this because he’d caught glimpses of her from his back window doing downward-facing dog.

Not that he should be thinking about her in spandex while sitting so close he could hear her breathe. Besides, he was still unnerved about how his heart had reacted to seeing her hold Waverly. The simple act of the moment had jumpstarted it.

There hadn’t been a lot of simplicity in Jonah’s life recently. He’d been so connected with Amber that when she had passed his world unraveled. He was through the worst of the grief and finally in a place where moving forward didn’t feel like a complete betrayal. Only he didn’t know which direction to go. His GPS had gone dead at the funeral. Now it was flickering back to life, but he didn’t want the chaos left behind to overflow onto the people around him.

Evie cleared her throat. “Let’s bring this meeting to order.”

“Good,” Mr. Karlson said. Karlson was in his later sixties with a white crop of hair and grew petunias like he was one of the King’s botanists. “I would like to talk about ethical choices when it comes to the community garden.”

The community garden was three lots down from Jonah’s and looked like something out of a Disney movie. Apple and cherrytrees, lamp-lined walkways, and a bunch of vegetables and bright flowers that changed with the season. This community took their gardening seriously.

“The key word there is ‘community,’” Moira said, those usually friendly eyes hot enough to scorch. “I live in this community.”

“You’re growing marijuana,” Mr. Karlson pointed out.

“Which is completely legal.” Moira stood and addressed the crowd. “As a Colorado resident, I am allowed to have six personal plants.”

“At your house, not where the neighborhood teens can make a doobie.”

Moira rolled her eyes. “Kids don’t call it ‘doobie’ anymore. It’s hemp. And it’s medicinal.”

Evie shot her mom a look that could fry an egg. “And it’s not on tonight’s agenda.”

Mr. Karlson stood. “It’s offensive and against community policy. Which is why I’m starting this petition to have the plants torn from the garden.”

“You do that and I’ll have Lenard pour bleach on your precious petunias.”

“Enough,” Evie said in her mom voice, and everyone fell silent except Jonah, who took the moment to chuckle at her stern expression. She was in boss mode. And damn if that wasn’t attractive. “We’re only here to talk about the 452 Spring Street situation.”

Jonah arched a brow because that was news to the owner of 452 Spring Street. “I thought that my house wasonthe agenda, nottheagenda.”

“Didn’t she tell you?” Mrs. Gomez asked. “This is a special hearing. Had to miss myJeopardy!to make it.”

Jonah had spoken to Mrs. Gomez that morning about just this issue, and while she said she’d come in support of him, she’d never mentioned that Evie had called a special hearing. So muchfor giving him a chance.

He met Evie’s gaze and her cheeks pinkened. “So I’m special, huh?” he whispered for her ears only.

She leaned over the podium and whispered back, “You wish.”

The position did amazing things to her cleavage so he took the moment to enjoy the view, then wiggled a brow.

She glanced down at her chest and then snapped upright, pressing her hand to the gaping neckline. Then she pushed her shoulders back and chin up, her tone dialed to President of the United States about to give the State of the Union. “Spring Hill Community Beautification Board meeting, September ninth, is now in session. If you’ll all turn to the agenda, we can get started.”

Jonah’s hand shot up.

“Yes?” she said overly brightly.

“Back to this special agenda. Why was I only given twenty-four hours to prepare?”

“The agenda was posted on the community website last week, as per regulations.”

“I didn’t see the posting.”

---