Page 165 of Sins & Secrets

I brush the hair from my face and give him a grateful smile as the crowd continues to walk around us. This city doesn’t stop for anything or anyone. Jacob walks with me to move out of the way and stand on the stairs to my townhome.

“Just a clumsy moment,” I say in a breathy voice and reluctantly laugh at myself as I steady the bag back onto my shoulder. This is so embarrassing.

Jacob shrugs and slips his hands into his pockets as he says, “I expected worse.” As he speaks, his perfect teeth show, and I can’t help but eye his lush lips. “Honestly, that was a nice save.”

A warmth flows through me.

“Well thanks,” I say, shifting my weight and shaking my head. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m checking out a townhouse down the street. Moving to the city was definitely the right move for me.”

“And have you thought of the contract at all?” I ask him and then bite the inside of my cheek. “I don’t mean to be forward. I’m just excited to work together.”

I don’t miss how his eyes stray slightly to my breasts when I breathe in deep. He turns away, toward the street to try to play it off and licks his lower lip. Maybe it was a subconscious thing on my part. I almost feel the need to apologize.

“I’m thinking I should get to signing it. I just was hoping maybe we could meet up to go over a few minor details?” he asks as he brings his attention back to me.

I smile and nod my head, my hair falling back in front of my shoulders. “I’d be happy to,” I answer a little too eagerly. His eyes flash with something they shouldn’t, but I ignore it.

“Well, I should get going,” I say and the words rush out of my mouth.

“Me too,” Jacob says and looks back across the street. “My realtor is over there somewhere waiting on the steps to let me in to ‘my dream home,’” he says, mimicking what must be his realtor’s nasally voice, and then he gives me another view of his gorgeous smile.

“If you ever need anything, I’m always home or a call away,” I offer and then bite the inside of my cheek.What the hell was that?

“Sounds good. Be safe,” he says comically and then takes a few steps forward. “I’ll text you,” he says over his shoulder and I simply nod. Not able to speak, just standing there, gripping my purse strap with both hands and wondering why he gets to me so much.

I won’t deny that he does.

That’s not the part that bothers me.

It’s why. Is it him? The timing?

What is it about Jacob that makes me want him, when I haven’t lusted for a man other than my husband in years?

EVAN

“Have you tried roses?”

My gaze moves from the cell phone in my hand to my father. With his arm braced against the wall, he taps his knuckles against the cream wall.

“I’m not sure roses are going to help,” I reply and give him a weak smile.

“You’d be surprised. Flowers are a girl’s best friend.”

A small but genuine smile graces my lips as I toss the phone onto the end table. “It’s diamonds, Pops. The saying is diamonds are a girl’s best friend.”

“Then get her diamonds,” he replies with a stern look before making his way to the worn, caramel-colored leather recliner in the corner of the living room. There’s a game on the TV. I’m not sure who’s playing since the volume is so low I can barely hear it.

“She still hasn’t messaged you back?” he asks.

“Nothing yet,” I answer lowly, not bothering to hide my disappointment, and then look back at the phone, wishing it would go off.

“You going back home to talk? Or what’s the plan?”

“I don’t know,” I tell him. “I know she wants space; I just don’t know if it’s what’s best.”

From my periphery, I watch him nod and then he says, “It’s hard to know. Especially when she’s not talking to you.”

---