Page 29 of Jocelyn
“Anyway”—Jocelyn’s voice pulled my attention back to the two ladies—“I’m not scared anymore. Malachi helped me see past my fear.”
Miss Nicole’s gaze turned to scrutiny, her eyes tapering in a disconcerting way. Her regard lowered to where Jocelyn’s fingers were held hostage against my body then rose to meet mine in challenge. Her look seemed to say,Is that all Malachi wants to help you see?
The answer was like a noose around my throat. Strands of jute woven together, each thread a different response.
Jocelyn and I were from different worlds. Besides city and country, our lifestyles were completely dissimilar.
My hands were full with calving season and keeping the ranch afloat in a sea of bills.
I was a blubbering idiot when it came to women.
Yet, I’d never felt as drawn to another person as I did to her.
I reached to scratch at my throat. “Excuse me, ladies.”
13
Jocelyn
“You like him.” Nicole grabbed my arm.
The last time I’d seen her blue eyes sparkle this much was when California passed a law requiring all new homes built to include solar panels, thus reducing fossil fuel footprints and accessing renewable energy.
I gave a noncommittal shrug. “He’s a likable guy.”
“So is Henry, but I don’t see you sidling up to him.”
I’d yet to divulge Henry’s little affirmative action bomb to my friends. Truth be told, I hadn’t decided if I’d tell them yet or not. They’d be outraged on my behalf, but could they really understand how deep that particular knife cut? And if I got anywhere close to Henry yet, he’d be in danger of my heel stomping on the top of his instep. Only, I’d make sure to do it while wearing my three-inch Jimmy Choos.
But I wasn’t ready to talk about Malachi. Mostly because I didn’t know what I’d say. Nicole was right. I liked him. He was nice. A solid type of guy. And I found myself lured by his quiet manner and steady disposition. But I also knew I’d be gone in a few more days.
A pang of ache streaked across my chest, reminiscent of homesickness. I moistened my lips and changed the subject. “What about you and Drew?”
Nicole’s neck craned so far back I almost offered to call Ben over to check for whiplash.
“There is no me and Drew,” she hissed.
I looked down at my nails to hide a smile. “Have you ever heard of enemies-to-lovers? Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger in10 Things I Hate About You? Or Moira Kelly and D. B. Sweeney inThe Cutting Edge?”
Her brows peaked over eyes now stormy as a turbulent ocean. “Have you ever heard of a murder trial?”
I bumped her with my shoulder. “You’re too busy saving the planet and every creature in it to take a life.”
“Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be tempted,” she mumbled.
Her nostrils flared, and color burst like red fireworks in her cheeks. Unflappable Nicole was not. She could turn passion on with a flick of a switch. Or, more accurately, explode like unstable dynamite. Seemed Drew knew which buttons to push to detonate her.
“What is it about him that gets under your skin so easily?” I asked.
Her jaw clenched. “He’s just so…so…irritating!”
A wry grin bent my mouth. “Thank you for being specific.”
I couldn’t decipher what she stammered under her breath, and I wouldn’t dream of asking her to repeat it.
“What are you girls whispering about over there? Get some food and join us.” Amanda waved from her perch on one of the deck chairs. She’d pulled the cushioned Adirondack closer to the fire pit.
I followed Nicole to the laden outdoor table and picked up a heavy-duty paper plate. Nicole stacked her veggie burger between two leaves of lettuce, passing the platter of Kaiser rolls and topping her sandwich with tomatoes and pickles. She turned without adding any baked beans or potato salad to her plate.
