Page 22 of Embers of You
“You’re welcome. How much do I owe you for taking care of this vicious beast?”
I laugh lightly, looking down at the supposed vicious beast who’s smiling as he sits with his back legs spread and it makes him look more human than he should.
“Well, considering he didn’t bite me I guess I can give you a slight discount.”
“Glad that didn’t happen, I would feel pretty bad about the anchovy and pineapple pizza if he did.”
I open up the box to check and see if he’s serious, but breathe a sigh of relief when I realize it’s just pepperoni.
Jameson smiles widely at me when I narrow my eyes at him, closing the box and setting it down. I tell him the total and hepays in cash, adding a generous tip that I try to refuse and give him change instead.
“Have you thought more about grooming my horses?” he asks on his way out the door.
I hesitate. I’ve looked into it, and I know I can do it. The question that’s hindering me, is if it’s a good idea to spend more time with Jameson. He doesn’t seem to be letting up, and maybe I could just be friends with him. Maybe, it would be fine. He’s nice. Persistent, but nice.
“I can try,” I tell him.
“Great, now I have your number so we can set up a time for you to come to the ranch.”
I almost ask how he got my number, but then remember I called him to get his dog. Something I clearly didn’t think through all the way, but it’s okay. Since we’re going to be friends.
“Okay.” I nod.
Jameson smiles, and his perfectly aligned, white teeth make his blue eyes shine with pride even more. He’s clearly pleased he’s worn me down enough that I agreed.
He opens the door, walking out with Duke and I think I’m actually going to have a moment where Jerry Lee doesn’t try to completely ruin my life, but right before the door closes, he decides to announce,“Hot guy, Jameson.”
“That’s it, you’re going to learn to survive in the forest, Jerry Lee!”
I swear I hear the deep timbre of a laugh from outside and I think about the best way to take up residence in a cave where I never have to see or speak to anyone ever again.
CHAPTER 12
Jameson
“Saw Lily is backfor the summer,” Jo goads Parker while he’s on dish duty tonight at the station.
I shake my head, knowing exactly how this is about to go down between them.
“Good for her,” Parker grumbles.
“She looked really pretty. You think she has a boyfriend at her fancy college?”
“Wouldn’t care if she did,” he says, washing the dishes more aggressively than he needs to. We all know this is getting to him.
“Sure seems like you would care, doesn’t it, Jameson?”
“Don’t bring me into this,” I announce.
“You’ll probably see her quite a bit this summer if she works at Trish’s again,” Jo continues.
Parker continues to mumble under his breath, and I stop paying attention. We all know about Lily being the one that got away. They were high school sweethearts, and she chose to leavefor college. He was pretty broken up about her for a while, and even got a reputation for being a bit of a playboy with how he acted afterwards.
“Speaking of pretty things over at Trish’s, are you having any luck with the new girl?” Dave asks me, nudging my knee with his own.
“Don’t call her a pretty thing. Her name’s Sutton.”
“So, it’s going well then.”
