I turn a little. “What’s your point?”
“You’re here for someone.”
Glancing her way, I raise one brow. I’ve no idea what she means. “No. I’mherebecause this is the only thing going on in this fuckin’ town.”
“Mm-hmm.”
So what if she doesn’t believe me? “Whatever.” I turn to face the band again.
“Nathan said he heard you had a girl at the shop the other day.”
Jesus. I work with a bunch of gossipmongers. “Some chick wiped out on her bicycle in front of bay one. I helped her out.”
“He said the guys said she was real pretty.”
I’m not goin’ there, but Jackie isn’t gonna to let it go until I, at least, admit there was a woman. “She’s okay.”
“It’s time, Nate.”
I glare down at my ex. “Time for what?”
She snorts like I’m supposed to know what the hell she’s talking about. Lucky for me,not, she elaborates. “For you to settle down again.”
She’s got my attention. I turn on my heel to face Jackie. “What the fuck are you talkin’ about?”
“Oh, knock it off.” She slugs me in the upper arm and, not gonna lie, it hurt. Jackie’s got a mean right hook. She keeps right on yakin’ though. “It’s been, what…” She thinks. “Nine years since you and I split?”
“Yeah. So?”
“You’re not the kind of man who should be single.” I ignore her and sip my beer. “You’re a decent guy, Nate. You deserve to be happy.”
“I am happy, Jackie.”
“You were a good husband. And an even better father.Youliked marriage.”
“You didn’t.” She hated being married––being tied down. I didn’t take it personal. I knew going in she never wanted it, but I knocked her up, and I insisted on doing right by her and the baby. I’m not sorry. If we hadn’t gone through with it, I wouldn’t have Nathan and Zoe.
“All I’m saying is…” She pauses. “Think about it. You’re a catch, Nate.”
I glare at that. What does she do? She winks then says, “Not to mention, you’re an excellent fuck.”
That gets a chuckle out of me. “Jesus, Jackie.” I roll my eyes. “You’re makin’ me blush.”
“Just tell me who she is, and I’ll leave you alone about it.”
“She’s nobody.”
“Spill it, Nate. If you don’t, I’ll get Zoe on it.”
Fuck. That’s all I need is my youngest pestering me about women. “Fine.” I sigh because I’m tired of this conversation. “She’s a gal that works…” I gesture behind me with my thumb. “…at the boutique place.” Yeah, I’m standing right outside the shop. It’s still open during the concert, and I’ve seen her, Prudence, once or twice.
Jackie’s face lights up like it’s Christmas fucking morning. “The brunette?”
Yeah. She’s got dark hair. Cut short, at her shoulders. The two times I saw her before today, she had it in pigtails, but this afternoon, it was down and wavy. It looked so damn shiny and soft that my fingers itched, and I wanted to touch it so badly.
Jackie leans to her right, enough to see into the shop window. I glanced back myself, and sure enough, Prudence and the blonde woman are both standing near the window, watching the concert.
“She’s beautiful.”
