Page 22 of Just Say Yes

Sisters, maybe?

I shook the thought from my head. I had no idea why suddenly I wanted to know everything there was to know about the mysterious MJ King.

As I got closer, MJ started to slow clap.

“Very impressive,” she said. “Annihilating a bunch of teenagers must do wonders for your ego.” The teasing glint in her eyes forced my grin wider.

“They’re in college,” I said. “They’re at least twenty.” I glanced back at the young boys. “I think. What are you up to, Kitten?”

One eyebrow shot up. “Kitten?”

“You’re the one who didn’t like Thunder.” I shrugged. “Just trying something else on for size.”

“I like that less.” Her eyes playfully rolled, and I could tell she was fighting a smile.

Damn, she was cute when she was trying not to give in.

MJ placed a gentle hand on my grandpa’s shoulder. “Mr. Brown here was telling me you two have had quite the adventure today.”

I grinned, loving the breeze and the crisp autumn air and the way the late-afternoon sun made her hazel eyes a riot of blue, brown, and earth tones.

“It’s been a great day,” I said. “Even better now.”

A soft flush creeped up her neck. “Well.” She cleared her throat. “I guess I’ll leave you to it then.”

“Hey, do you know what time it is?” I asked before she could run away.

MJ’s brow furrowed slightly before she reached into her pocket to slip out her phone. “It’s almost four.”

“Oh, okay. Good.” I gestured toward her phone. “I was worried that thing was broken, since I hadn’t heard from you yet about coming to a game.”

A soft, teasingoohfrom my grandfather only spurred me on as I rocked back on my heels.

MJ straightened her shoulders. “My phone is perfectly fine.”

I tucked my tongue into my cheek. “I’m glad to hear it. We should get you back before dinner, old man,” I said. “I’ll see you around, MJ.”

“Yeah,” she replied softly.

Grandpa and I walked back across the sand. My phone buzzed, and when I saw an unknown number flash on the screen, I knew it was her. My grin stretched wide enough to hurt.

Four little words. Four words that shouldn’t have felt like a win, but god, they did.

Unknown

I’ll think about it.

And just like that, my piss-poor mood evaporated. She was thinking about it. About me. And it made my whole damn day.

SEVEN

MJ

The crisp Septemberair carried the scent of baked goods and spiced honey as I strolled through the farmers’ market, the sleeves of my purple sweater pulled down over my hands. Stalls brimmed with pumpkins, squash, and the last of the summer blooms. Fall had officially taken over Outtatowner, and the locals were leaning into the season with jars of homemade jam, apple cider doughnuts, and bundles of cornstalks tied with orange ribbons.

I made my way toward my brother-in-law Duke’s farmstand, where a line of customers admired baskets overflowing with plump blueberries and jars of deep violet jam. Duke, as grumpy as ever, stood behind the counter, his arms crossed over his broad chest.

Nowadays there was something softer about him as he handed a jar of jam to a small boy who beamed up at him before skipping off. My sister, Sylvie, had definitely worked some magic on him, and the thought made me smile.

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