“And strong,” added Marjorie.
“I think my ovaries just exploded.” Florence laughed at Gerry and Ailsa’s matching winces.
You’re not the only one.Leah gave an internal sigh.
“How often is he in Pine Springs?” Ava again.
“He stayed about a month the first time, but now I think it’ll be mainly the weekends, although he hasn’t really let me know. He drives back to his condo for the working week.”
“So when you’re alone together, what do you chat about?” Cassidy asked.
Leah’s lips twitched. “Jackson’s not really the chatty type.” Mean, moody, and mostly monosyllabic, in fact. But for somereason, she couldn’t bring herself to say it. “We’ve watched the odd movie together but he’s... restrained, in general. Hard to read. The state of Amity Court is proving a bit of a frustration, I think.”
A teasing smile broke out across Florence’s face. “You realize you’re literally living the Grumpy/Sunshine trope, don’t you? I’m putting my money on a Happy Ever After!”
You wouldn’t if you knew the odds. Leah could imagine no scenario in which she and Jackson might end up as a loved-up couple. She took a sip of wine to avoid having to answer.
“On the subject of romance,” Marjorie cut in, to her relief, “that was a very long conversation I saw you having with the new PS High teacher yesterday, Cass. You blocked the sidewalk for the entire time I was pricing my canned delivery.”
Scenting new prey, every head turned to Cassidy, who suddenly busied herself with piling up dirty dishes.
A bag in each hand and her phone between her teeth, Leah pushed down on the kitchen door handle with one elbow and found it unlocked. Two pairs of eyes turned to her as she stumbled through the doorway. It was Saturday morning and Jackson’s Aston Martin was parked in front of the house again.
“You’re back!” Leah exclaimed around her cell phone. When Jackson raised an eyebrow but said nothing, she dropped the bags, took the phone out of her mouth, and tried again. “I said, you’re back.”
“I am.”
Her eyes swiveled to the pretty blonde perched on one of the bar stools. “Hi!”
“This is Niamh.”
“It’s lovely to meet you.” Leah gave a more self-conscious smile than usual and busied herself by unpacking cans, bottles, and fresh vegetables onto the kitchen counter. “Jackson said you might come for a visit. Has he given you the tour yet?”
“A brief one. I knew what to expect but it’s something else to see it in person.” Niamh didn’t make it sound like a compliment.
Jackson was eyeing up the food, his mouth tight at the corners. “Expecting company?”
“Yes. You’ve timed your arrival to perfection.” Leah rearranged a few jars in the fridge to make way for the chicken. “I asked Sam and Kash over for dinner tonight, but there’ll be more than enough to go around. It’s Hazel’s yoga night, or she’d have joined us.” Leah’s words trailed off as she noticed a muscle twitch on his jawline.
Damn. She’d made a misstep already and she hadn’t been in the house for ten minutes yet.
“What is it?” She shifted the chicken from one hand to the other. “Have I done something wrong?”
“Sam and Kash.” Jackson imbued the names with a tone she couldn’t read. “You’re on first-name terms with the realtors now? Have you added them on your socials, too?”
Niamh glanced between them like a spectator at a tennis match.
“Well, I’ve known Sam—”
“Is your letterheaded stationery on order?”
Leah blinked. “Am I missing something? I—don’t understand what you’re upset about. I’m happy to cook and I’ve bought the food myself.” She spread her hands. “Is it because they’re gay?”
“I couldn’t give a flying shit if they’re life partners or dance partners.” Now Jackson looked offended as well as pissed. “My point is that it’s not your house. If I wanted to entertain this weekend, I’d have arranged it myself.”
Mortified color heated Leah’s cheeks. Her eyes flicked to Niamh and back again. “I’m really sorry. You weren’t here and it wasvery quiet. I guess I’ve gotten used to making decisions for myself over the last few months. I should have checked with you first.” She swept her eyes over the rest of the groceries on the counter, mentally assessing what could be frozen or stored. Picking up one of the empty shopping bags, she folded it into smaller and smaller halves. “I’ll call Sam now and make my apologies.”
“You can be such an idiot, Lee. Never been much good at reading the signs, have you?” Matt’s voice again.
