She gave Kaci a weak smile. “Pool’s a little crowded.”
“Never mind that, then. You hungry? Lance’s got the second batch of burgers all hot and ready.”
She glanced back at the pool, but Jackson had moved on.
Kaci squinted at her. “You looking for someone?”
“No, I—sort of.” She dropped her voice. “You remember the ants in my car? And the guy who helped me?”
“The dumb old redneck?”
Anna darted furtive glances around until she spotted him with Lance. “He’s here.” She nodded at the grill.
Kaci followed her line of sight, then let out a whoop of laughter.
“Sshh!” Anna hadn’t thought her body could generate more heat in the summer evening, but her cheeks were flaming again.
“Aw, Jackson’s good folk. He taught Lance how to throw rifles in ROTC at Bama. Just PCS’d here for good last week. If it makes you feel any better, he never mentioned the ants to us. That boy’s momma raised him right.” Her ring flashed when she gestured to the kitchen. “Heard you got rescued from an inquisition. You doing okay?”
“I’m fine.” Aside from realizing her love life was prone to suicidal attractions, that was. Of course he was military. “She was trying to be nice.”
Kaci humphed. “That girl doesn’t have the sense God gave a gnat. You give one of us a signal if she tries to corner you again.”
“Thanks, but I’m good.”
Kaci flitted off to play hostess. Anna snagged a margarita inside, then a burger and chips. The air conditioner was no match for the crowd, so she found a spot in a shadycorner of the yard with Sarah and a couple of other girls. Occasionally, she spotted Jackson wandering around the party, and she found the nerve to smile back at him once or twice.
She didn’t have to follow through on a smile. Probably wouldn’t, with him being military. But the last few weeks, Kaci kept insisting she would eventually want something more than the battery-operated devices in her divorce kit. Anna was almost ready to admit she might be right.
About the “eventually” part.
Eventually wasn’t today.
She was just practicing. Shewas, after all, legally single now.
Hints of dusk filtered in. Fluffy piles of Georgia clouds took on pink and orange hues. The crowd in the backyard thinned, with the families leaving first, then the couples dropping next. Wendy bid her an overly friendly good-bye, and Anna was happy to discover the encounter didn’t leave her needing to straighten the pool toys again. Someone turned on the patio lights and lit a few tiki torches for bug control. She hadn’t meant to be among the last guests tonight, but she was still happily nursing a slight buzz from the margarita.
She’d fed her fish before she left for work this morning. No one expected her anywhere. And the night air was warm enough to be cozy without the oppression that made it hard to breathe. She treated herself to another margarita, only half-full this time, and took her pick of the empty lawn chairs near the pool. She curled her legs up and settled in, and Kaci appeared at her side. “You up for some redneck golf? Lance is betting me the dishes he’ll beat the pants off us.”
Anna smiled fondly. “Don’t think so. He always lets you win.”
“You bet your britches. That’s how it’s supposed to be.”
“But it’s notfun.”
Kaci huffed. “Lance, get over here and talk some sense into this girl.”
Lance dropped his grill brush to cross the patio. “What’swrong, babe?”
“She says it’s not any fun when you let us win.” Kaci stuck her lip out. Anna stifled a snort in her margarita.
“Make you feel better if I pretend I’m trying?” Lance said to Anna.
“Nope.” She had enjoyed the evening too much to ruin it watching Lance help Kaci score points and toss his bolas way off mark. She was happy Kaci had found someone to take a second chance with, but tonight, she wanted to be happy and single with no reminders of the kind of romance she’d probably never have again.
Someone sat on her other side. She glanced over and found Jackson studying her. “I won’t let you win,” he said.
She studied him right back. Her heart gave a jolt. She shivered against the tart taste flooding her mouth. His hair was within regs, barely a hint of the curl she’d seen on him last time. His cheeks showed a five o’clock shadow. “How would you explain that to your momma?”
