Page 111 of Bria and the Tiger

“First two in the morning were total busts, but the three in the afternoon were good. They all put offers in.”

“Were they accepted?

“Two were. One is in negotations. I might have to duck out to take a few phone calls during dinner. Sorry in advance.”

“It’s fine.” She sliced open the first pepper and cleaned out the seeds before chopping it into long strips. “Are you in the office tomorrow?”

“Yes. I’ve got some paperwork to do for the sales today, and a meeting with Betty.”

She sliced up the second half of the pepper before starting on the next one. She really should be talking to Jace about why he was suddenly acting like they were in a relationship, but she didn’t want to. She wanted to keep pretending this was all real. Wanted to act like she and Jace were a couple, and he was falling in love with her, just like she was falling in love with him.

She studied the back of his dark head, feeling another surge of affection that felt too much like love. Maybe he was changing his mind. The way he was acting certainly suggested he was. She knew she was grinning, but she couldn’t hide it. Jace was starting to fall for her.

“What are you making over there?” She asked.

Jace kneaded a ball of dough. “Pasta.”

“You’re making your own pasta?” She stopped slicing the pepper.

“Yep.”

“Holy crap.”

“Told you I had many talents.”

“I am sincerely impressed.”

“Yeah?” He wiggled his eyebrows at her. “Remember this moment later, because secretly, this is only the second time I’ve made pasta, and the first time it didn’t turn out so well.”

She laughed. “Fantastic. Looking forward to trying it.”

“I’m sure it’ll be -”

The doorbell rang and Jace glanced at his hands. “Would you mind getting that? I ordered some new balls for the pool table and they’re supposed to be delivered today.”

“Sure.” She set the knife down and headed to the front door. She opened it and stared in surprise at the woman standing on Jace’s doorstep. “Mrs. Shepherd. Hi.”

“What are you doing here?” His mother gave her a worried look.

“Oh, uh, Jace invited me for dinner.”

“Why?”

She didn’t know what to say to that, so she took a step back. “Um, come on in. Jace is in the kitchen.”

Jace’s mom swept past her and Bria followed her into the kitchen. Before she could say anything, Jace said, “Well, what do you think of my new balls? If you’re a very good girl, I’ll show them to you later. Maybe even let you play with them.”

“Jace!” Bria said. “Your mom is here.”

Jace swung around and stared at his mother. “Mom? What are you doing here?”

“We need to talk. Alone.” His mother stared pointedly at Bria.

“It’s not a good time,” Jace said. “I’ll call you tomorrow and -”

“No.” His mother was starting to sound a little hysterical. “We need to talk right now, Jace.”

“I’ll call you tomorrow and -”

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