Page 36 of Forbidden Kisses
“Why the big secret? You can tell me.”
Jack wished he could. “No one.”
Noah frowned and reached for his bagel. “I see how it is, bro. You’re afraid I might swoop in and sweep her off her feet.”
Jack laughed. Then he nearly choked on his food as Grace walked in with Krista, who beelined straight for the youngest Sawyer brother.
Noah looked up with a grin. “Hey, Kris. Hey, sis.”
Jack inwardly cringed.
“What are you two up to?” Noah asked.
Krista turned to Grace. “We’re having breakfast. And Grace here is keeping things from me. I’m going to find out what those things are.”
Grace’s cheeks flushed. Her gaze skittered and met Jack’s.
“Jack is keeping secrets, too. But he’s about as tight-lipped as a damn snapping turtle. Can’t get anything out of him.”
Krista’s eyebrow hooked and she looked at Grace, who averted her gaze to the floor. “Oh my God,” Krista whispered under her breath.
Noah looked over his coffee at them. “What?”
“Nothing.” Krista grabbed Grace’s arm. “See you guys later.” Then she pulled Grace toward the café’s display of delicious breakfast desserts.
Jack guessed Krista knew exactly what Grace was keeping from her. With one look at Noah, he knew that his younger brother was still clueless, probably distracted by his thoughts of fishing and boating. Or his latest female interest.
“Women, man. They’re crazy.” Noah sipped from his coffee and chuckled to himself.
“Best to stay away from ’em,” Jack agreed.
But staying away from Grace wasn’t an option. She was his new ocean, the one thing he couldn’t get enough of. And if he wasn’t careful, she might devour him in the process.
—
Grace shushed Krista as they moved through the line for their coffee and croissants. Then she ushered her to a table as far away from the Sawyer brothers as possible.
“You are so busted. You and Jack are both keeping a secret lover. Gee, what a coincidence,” Krista said.
“You can’t tell Noah,” Grace pleaded.
Krista’s blue eyes lit up. “So it’s true.” She squealed in delight. “I knew it! This has been years in the making.”
Grace rolled her eyes. “Jack and I haven’t even spoken in years until recently.”
“But this thing between you was there, keeping you two from seriously dating anyone else.”
“You’re a hopeless romantic, you know that.” Grace shook her head and pulled her coffee to her mouth. Setting it back down, she looked at her friend. “I mean it, you can’t tell Noah.”
“You act like Noah and I tell each other everything.” Krista pinched a piece off her croissant and popped it into her mouth.
“He is your best friend. And speaking of something that has been years in the making…”
Krista frowned. “It’s not like that between Noah and me. And you’re not changing the subject.” She pointed a bossy finger. “I want details. And time is ticking before I need to be on the pediatric floor. Spill! Now!”
Grace stole a glance at Jack across the room and smiled. “All right. We’ve gotten together a couple times.”
“Gotten together?” Krista leaned forward to hear Grace’s hushed speech. “What exactly does that mean?”
