“I love you,” he said in a faintly British accent.
“Thank you. I love you, too. Want to help me with my new crisis? We could brainstorm.”
“Breakfast, please.”
“Right. Food, then brainstorming. I can’t wait to hear what you think we should do.”
“This is so bad,” Ryleigh said, staring at the brick wall.
Jax tried not to wince. “Maybe you could phrase that differently so I can get rid of that sick feeling in my stomach.”
“Oh, it’s a disaster,” Cheryl offered cheerfully. “We just have to accept that and move on.”
“I was hoping for more concrete suggestions,” Jax murmured as Ramon flew over and perched on a nearby shelf.
“Tomorrow is another day,” he told her.
“Again, not helpful.”
“How many diaries do you think there are?” Cheryl asked. “More than a hundred?”
“Closer to two hundred,” Jax said. “Maybe more.” And many of the owners would be showing up in the morning to collect their diaries. There had to be some way to make the process work—but without the markings how would anyone find what was theirs without learning someone else’s secrets?
Marcus joined them. “I’m here to help. Just tell me what to do.”
“You could ask my sister out for coffee,” she said absently.
“What?” Ryleigh spun to face her. “Stop it. I mean it. Leave me and Marcus alone.” She looked at him. “No offense meant.”
“None taken.”
He shook his head, then walked away. Ryleigh waited a couple of seconds, then moved close to Jax.
“What are you thinking? Don’t offer me up to that man. We’re not interested in each other.”
“You don’t know that. You barely know him. What if he’s the one? He’s good-looking and a nice guy. He has a sense of humor, a successful business and he’s single.”
“Sounds like you’re the one interested in him.”
Jax pressed her lips together as she tried not to look away. “I don’t date.”
“And why is that? You’re not still getting over your divorce. You finished dealing with that months ago. Why aren’t you interested in having more in your life?”
Her sister’s tone was mild enough but Jax still felt a little attacked. She took a step back. “This isn’t about me.”
“I get that. You want me to find someone so I won’t think about moving. Which isn’t supportive, but we won’t go there. My point is you’re single, too. Maybe it’s time to do something about that.”
“But I don’t matter in this discussion. You do. I just want you to be happy.”
“You make me insane.” The words were delivered in a faintly conciliatory tone.
“I don’t mean to,” Jax told her. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. Admit you’re interested in Marcus.”
“What?” Jax took a step back. “No. He’s my contractor, nothing more.”
“Uh-huh. You’re lying.”
