Jack continued to waffle over the idea of getting everything out in the open with Ann. But part of him didn’t want to know that he’d been the reason for their breakup. Granted, he’d been a kid back then, but he was a man now with a healthy sense of pride. Hearing he’d been awful in the sack wasn’t high on his list of high school confessions.
Best to let the past lie and start fresh. Besides, from what his mother told him, Ann had matured into a stand-up woman. She had an impeccable reputation at school and the kids all loved her. She’d had several single men ask about her but she was picky about who she dated. God love her, his mother had friends in all the right places. Apparently Tanya Weaver, Ann’s mom, worried about her daughter ever finding a spouse. Something Tanya and Laura had in common—a longing for a bazillion grandchildren.
“Yo, Jack.”
He blinked at Anson, who frowned at him.
“You okay?”
“Fine. Been a hell of a week.” He took a long sip of scotch. “I’ve been watching my nephew while Dan and Julie are away. That kid has aged me in ways I didn’t think possible.”
Dex snickered. “Kids. You gotta love ’em. I’m in the photography business, and let me tell you, taking kid portraits requires a lot of patience.”
“I thought you were a photojournalist.”
“He was,” Anson answered for him. “But the boy wants to settle down. My aunt is putting the thumbscrews to him about living closer to home.”
“Please.” Dex flushed. “Mom loves me, but I wouldn’t be back here if I didn’t want to be. Dude, peopleretirehere. I mean, think about it. A good bit of the town’s economy relies on tourism. Bend istheplace for the outdoors. I’ve missed skiing like you can’t believe.”
“There is that.” Jack nodded, wondering if his parents still had his old skis and boots in the attic somewhere.
“What about you, Jack?” Anson asked. “Why did you come back?’
“Same reason. That and they’re expanding the campus, so I’ve got a terrific job I start next week. I really need a place of my own though. I don’t want to hang around too long when Dan and Julie get back. My brother is such a slob.”
They discussed different areas in town, since the cousins were also looking to find property.
“We’re going to rent together first,” Dex said, “while I’m doing research to buy.”
“Not me.” Jack shook his head. “I want a place near my parents and Dan. I like the neighborhood.”
“Northwest Crossing isn’t a bad spot. Too hemmed in for me, though. The lots are too small.” Dex shrugged.
“It’s closer to family. Though in this town, anything more than ten minutes away is considered too far.”
They laughed, and the conversation shifted back to old times. “So you and Ann were hot and heavy in high school. Then it was you and Selena Thorpe.” Anson whistled. “Took a lot of balls to hook up with her. Even at eighteen that girl was a barracuda.”
Jack winced. “No kidding. We dated for a few weeks before I bailed. She scared me.”
Anson nodded. “She was living in Seattle. I did business with her second husband for a while. Poor bastard.”
The guys laughed.
“But she divorced him and moved away. Just my luck, when I settled in Portland, I ran into her living there.” Anson shuddered. “Can you believe she made a play for me? Wouldn’t take my hints, so I had to flat out tell her no way in hell. I mean, I was good friends with her ex.”
“Just so long as she stays in Portland,” Jack said. “I don’t think I could handle her back here.”
“I don’t thinkBendcould handle her back here.” Anson clinked his bottle against Jack’s glass. “Now let’s talk about what really matters.”
They all paused as the announcers discussed the Seahawks’ prospects.
Dex looked worried. “I don’t know, guys. Think we have a chance this season?”
“My money’s on Green Bay,” Anson said.
Jack shook his head. “No way. Denver’s gonna take it.”
“Are you nuts?” The three of them threw around stats and figures like they were math professors, and Jack thought how in all the years he’d been living, he’d never felt at home as much as he did right now. Only one thing could have made things better—and he was seeing her tomorrow. Their second date, and hopefully just the beginning of many more to come.
