Page 35 of Suddenly Single
“Hey, you want to come to join us for dinner?” she asked.“I hear the special is shepherd’s pie.”
“No.Thank you.”
“Maybe tomorrow.”
“So you will still be here tomorrow,” he coolly remarked.
“Well, I’m not going to miss the ATV excursion.” She glanced back at Lorenzo.“Shall we check and see if you got a response to your email?”
“Si, si,” he said.He put his hand on the small of Jenny’s back and half-saluted, half-waved at Edan as they went off to look at email.
Edan walked calmly back to his office.He shut the door behind him, then ran both hands over the crown of his head, then kicked his office chair so hard that it slammed into the filing cabinet and knocked off two fishing trophies.
What was the matter with him?Why did he feel so protective and desirous and so bloodyjealous? She was not his responsibility.He wasn’t even interested. He’d calmly explained this would not work. She could do whatever the hell she wanted.
Just not with Lorenzo Bartolotti.
Lorenzo was a ladies’ man, a player, and Jenny…what did she know of men like that? Lorenzo had brought more than one woman to the Cassian Inn over the years.
No matter—Jenny wasn’t his problem.He didn’t have to mope about it like a sullen little boy.Nonetheless, Edan stalked around to his private quarters with Wilbur and Boz, fed them, and retreated to his study to sulk.
He’d managed to engross himself in a book when he heard commotion outside and got up to have a look.From a window in the tower, he saw Lorenzo help Jenny into his red car and then pour himself into the driver’s side and speed away.
Edan went back to his book.But he no longer saw words.He saw sparkling blue eyes and lips that should be kissed.
And not by fucking Lorenzo Bartolotti.
* * *
At quarter until nine the next morning, Hugh helped Edan bring the ATVs around.“You’re quite certain you donna want me to take them?” Hugh asked again.
“Thank you, but I’m quite sure,” Edan said.
Hugh did not seem convinced.He looked at the ATVs.“I wouldna mind a bit of fishing. Looks like a fine day for it, too.”
“I doubt the fish are biting,” Edan muttered, and fastened the fishing poles on the back of one of the ATVs.
At ten to nine, Jenny walked out onto the drive.She’d tied up her hair into a loose knot at her crown, and she was wearing cutoff jean shorts that hugged her hips and left bare glorious legs that disappeared into some colorful rain boots.“Good morning!” she said cheerfully.“Are you here to see us off?”
“I’m you’re guide.”
She gasped with surprise.And then her face broke into a sunny smile.“That’sfantastic! I’m so glad you can get out, Edan.And not because the woman in East Beach said so, but because the weather is wonderful, the scenery is wonderful, and since you’re leaving, you really ought to take the time to enjoy it before you go.Plus, you were, like, super grumpy yesterday,” she added, and playfully punched him in the arm.
“I’ve got a rather busy job,” he reminded her.
“Job, schmob,” she said.“Admit it—youliketo ride ATVs.It’s the boy in you.I know you want everyone to think you’re a badass fisherman—”
“I never—”
“But an ATV is like a puppy,” she said, talking over him. “Boys and men can’t resist puppies or ATVs.If I’m not mistaken, there is some actual science behind that.” She paused, tapped her lip with one finger.“No…no, I’m mistaken.I think what I actually read is that men and boys are more likely to bekilledby ATVs.Which one’s mine?” she asked, twisting around to the ATVs.“I like the blue one.”
“They are exactly the same.”
“Well, not exactly, smart guy.One is blue and one is green.Are there helmets? I think we ought to have—”
He held out a helmet.
“Look atyou,” she said, smiling coyly.“You’ve thought of everything.ButIthought about sandwiches.Rosalyn was nice enough to make some.” She held up the bag she carried.“She made liverwurst for the guide,” she said wrinkling her nose.“She said to be sure and tell the guide it was especially for him.Will you hold this a moment?” she asked, shoving the bag at him.
