Travis’s eyes bounce between myself and his sister, pretty much laced with worry. I have a feeling she might be the wild card in the family.
“You know, I considered charging you once we got to your destination, but the wild look in your eyes I’m getting now is payment enough.”
“Children.” Travis holds a hand up in between us. “Riley, Jake is staying here for a week while I negotiate a contract for him. He’s found himself with some unexpected downtime, so he’s getting a little rest and relaxation.”
Those sea-green eyes flash my way again as she locks me into a gaze. I’m sure she’s still a bit perturbed about the earlier miscommunication, but there’s a little snap inside me that tells me not to pull away. It’s like a snap of electricity: playful and new and really intriguing. When she does finally pull her eyes from mine, that little snap fades away and I remind myself that this woman isn’t just any beautiful stranger to me.
She’s my agent’s sister. My agent who also happens to be my best friend. You see where I’m headed?
Yeah. She’s my best friend’s sister.
But she is sassy. And cute. But so very sassy.
“So, Jake December is relaxing here, huh?” she purrs.
I knew it. My chest puffs a little with pride as I hold my shoulders up. “Have you heard of me?”
I want to shove the words back into my mouth as soon as they are out. How creepy did that sound?Have you heard of me?What a tool.
“No, I haven’t.” A wicked grin plays on her lips. “Is it a fake name? And if so, why December?” She tilts her head to one side and narrows her eyes, her tone veering more toward playfulness as she whispers, “It’s because you like Taylor Swift, isn’t it?”
Relentless. I think I’m going to like Sweetkiss Creek.
“It’s December because that’s my dad’s given name.” Turning my attention back to the car, I lean in to get Posh out of her spot in the passenger’s seat. If anyone had told me back in the day that my longest relationship would be with a French bulldog, six years and counting thank you very much, I would have called them a liar. The only other relationship I’ve had for a nice long stretch is the one I’ve had for the last five years…with Travis.
Cradling Posh in my arms, I turn around and face the Richards siblings. There’s a lot of similarity between these two, but I think Travis is probably the nicer one in the family.
Riley points to Posh. “Does she travel with you everywhere you go?”
“If I can take her with me, she’s coming.”
“I hope you don’t shove her in a cage and put her in the…what’s it called?” She waves a hand in the air as she tries to find the word. “The luggage compartment when you fly.”
“I would never treat her that way,” I say, cooing and scratching Posh behind the ears. “She’s not a woman I’d ever want to cage.”
Do I say that last part a little pointedly, winking at her as I do? Oh you bet.
Placing Posh down on the sidewalk, I stand up and cross my arms. “I also don’t think it’s called a luggage compartment.”
She rolls her eyes. “Whatever. Why are you here to chill out at the very end of the season, anyway, when ice hockey games are still being played? I’m no expert, but I feel like that doesn’t bode well for you.”
“Okay, we’re done. Let’s not play twenty questions, please,” Travis, ever the voice of reason, says as he smacks his sister’s arm. “What is wrong with you today?”
Her eyes flick to mine, flashing. “You might have the same reaction if you had someone pretend they were your driver, then take you on the ride from hell.”
“Was it that bad?” The corners of my lips turn up instinctively with each dramatic word coming out of her mouth. “I got you here in one piece.”
Riley huffs, squaring her shoulders to look at her brother before inclining her head down the street. “I need to get to work, ‘cause I’m really late now, but you know where I’ll be. So stop by when you can.”
Her eyes return to mine, but she drags them across to where I’m standing real slow. Like reeeeeaaallll slllloooowwwww. OnlySouthern women who are wet-bee mad can make so much noise by casting their eyes like that, and man, she’s good.
Shaking her head, she turns around and walks away, waving a hand in the air.
“Wow,” I manage, turning to Travis, who’s standing beside me laughing with his arms folded across his chest. “You said she was headstrong, but is she always that moody?”
“No, in fact, I’m a little surprised. She never acts like that. Dad always calls her our ray of sunshine. I’m the one who used to be a bit of an irritating crank.”
“Yeah, I guess I’ve seen that side of you.”
