Page 69 of Perfectly Complicated
She laughs, looking away, a faint blush staining her cheeks. “I’m just watching Aria.”
I look directly at her. “Uh-huh. Definitely not staring at me like I’m the December feature in a lumberjack calendar.”
The flush deepens on her face. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And you didn’t answer the question.” I saw once more, then pause. “On a scale of one to ten, how much are you enjoying this little lumberjack performance?”
“I’m not—” She hesitates, then huffs out a breath. “Fine. Maybe a seven.”
“Only a seven?” I straighten and take off my flannel shirt, tossing it at her. “Harsh critic. I’m sweating for this rating.”
“That’s cheating,” she says, holding the shirt.
“I call it dedication.” I grip the saw, flexing a little in my T-shirt. “So, how about now?”
She laughs again, biting her bottom lip in a way that has me seriously rethinking whether I want to cut down this tree or kiss her against it.
“Okay, fine,” she admits. “Nine. You’d make a really good lumberjack. Happy now?”
“Almost.” I drop the saw and cross my arms. “Maybe that’s what I should be in next year’s pageant—your lumberjack fantasy come to life.”
She swats at my shoulder, but I catch her hand before she can pull away, tugging her closer.
“Rourke Riley, you’re trouble,” she says.
I press a kiss to the back of her hand. “But admit it, you like trouble.”
The smile that spreads across her face could light this entire farm. “Maybe I do.”
I turn back to the tree, sawing through the last bit of trunk until it gives way. We start making our way back to the car, dragging the pine tree behind us, when a couple steps into our path and the man stops.
“Janie?”
The moment Janie looks up, she tenses beside me. “Nick,” Janie says in a flat tone.
This is the man who destroyed her.
“What a surprise,” Nick says, his tone careful as he takes in our little scene.
I drop the tree and brush my hands off. “I’m Rourke,” I say, extending my hand to Nick. “Janie’s boyfriend.”
He hesitates before shaking my hand. “This is Lia,” he says, motioning to the woman next to him. “And I’m Aria’s father.”
“Janie’s mentioned you,” I say, threading my fingers with hers.
Nick’s smile slips. “Of course. Though I have to say, I didn’t know she was dating anyone.”
Janie shifts uncomfortably. “You haven’t contacted us in months.”
I stroke my thumb across her hand, and Nick’s eyes track the movement, his jaw flexing.
“I’m actually helping with her pageant,” I say.
“The school show?” Nick huffs out a laugh. “Janie always did love her little projects.”
“Actually, she’s amazing with those kids,” I say, sliding a hand around her waist. “The school is lucky to have her.”
Lia nervously tugs at Nick’s hand. “Well, it was good to see you. We should probably go pick out our tree, Nick.”
