Page 40 of Risk Assessment
“No it’s okay. It’s just back there. I’ll get it.” At his frown she said, “You can see me the whole way there and back. I’ll be fine.”
He nodded. “I’ll be here the whole time.”
Raleigh headed across the grass.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“This is all your fault!” Jenn’s voice slammed into Dylan’s back like a knife.
“Wh—what?” he asked, turning to face her.
Jenn poked him in the chest with her finger. “It’s your fault I’m in this mess.”
“Jenn, I really don’t have time for this right now,” he said, turning away, but she grabbed his arm and turned him back.
“You never had time for me! You never made me feel like I was the center of your world. Work always came first with you. Never me!”
He looked at Jenn, really looked at her. Her face was blotchy, and her eyes were rimmed red. She’d been crying. He’d only seen her with one cocktail at the pool, but judging by the strength of tequila on her breath, the poolside drink hadn’t been her first. He’d forgotten that about Jenn. When she drank, she got emotional.
“Look, Jenn, I can’t talk now. If you want to yell at me, you can do it later. I need to keep an eye on Raleigh.”
Jenn stepped back like she’d been slapped, a shocked expression on her face. Her eyes narrowed, and she swayedwhen she jabbed her finger at him. “You have the nerve to mention yourgirlfriendto me?”
Considering he was attending her wedding a short six months after they’d broken up, yeah, he did have the nerve. He drew a cleansing breath, talking himself off that particular cliff.
“Jenn, look, I don’t know what’s going on with you, but maybe you should go find your mom or grab a cup of coffee.” He tried to move away from her, but her hand lashed out and caught him on the cheek.
Her face had gone dark red. “I don’t need anyone. You! You made me do it, and now I have to marryhim. I will make you pay for this. It’s all your fault. Just remember, you brought this on yourself!”
She turned to walk away, and when she started to fall, he instinctively reached out to help her. She fell against his chest and then reached up and kissed him hard on the mouth.
He pulled away from her and steadied her on her feet. Then immediately let go.
“Go drink some coffee, Jenn. Get yourself together.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
“Bastard!”
He watched her storm off down the path and then wiped his mouth. He used to be so turned on when Jenn kissed him. He’d been blown away by her when they first met in a bar in the Village. The upscale bar scene wasn’t his normal hangout, but Matt’s girlfriend wanted to go, and the rest of the crew went along for moral support. He couldn’t believe his luck that she picked him out of all the guys. But now all he felt was pity.
Things had certainly changed. He shook his head. He’d no idea what that had been about, and now wasn’t the time to figure it out. Raleigh was coming back with her bag.
“You okay?” she asked.
“You saw that, huh?” He rubbed his cheek. “I guess Jenn’s still a bit upset at me.”
“Just a bit.” She smiled. “You want to take a minute?”
He shook his head. “No, I’m fine.”
“Well I’m not. I want to sit in the gazebo and relax for a second.” She turned, went across the grass and went up the steps.
Dylan followed. He’d checked out the gazebo earlier while he was leaning against it. There was nowhere for anyone to hide so Raleigh was safe. “I’m sorry. My personal life shouldn’t be interfering with your work or me watching out for you.”
She smiled. “You’re doing fine. I suspect Jenn screaming at you isn’t your fault. Her friends sort of mentioned she’s not happy these days.”
Dylan shifted his stance so they were closer still as he did a sweep of the area with his eyes. Then he looked back at her.
She looked closely at his cheek and then reached out and touched it. “Did it hurt?”
