Chapter Eleven
“I’ll be right back,” Jack whispered in Anna’s ear. “I forgot the bottle in the truck.”
She looked at him liked a deer caught in the headlights. “Don’t leave me alone.”
“Come with me, then.” He winkled. “Problem solved.”
“Haley knows,” she told him under her breath. “She’s watching us.”
“Does it matter?” Holding out his hand he helped her stand.
They escaped outside while his dad and Owen were in a conversation about the rain Mom and Dad had missed while on the cruise.
Anna leaned against his truck, more beautiful than ever with the afternoon sun highlighting her hair. The entire weekend still felt surreal to him. Anna had been a part of his life for years, and he didn’t know how he’d missed not seeing her for who she was until now. Better late than never on coming to his senses.
“What did Mom say in the kitchen?”
“Not much, but enough,” she answered with a sly smile.
He arched a brow. “What does that mean?”
“She didn’t ask questions, but she knows and let me know that she approves.”
“I knew she would.” Even so, he breathed a sigh of relief.
“Now for your siblings.”
“Why wouldn’t they approve?”
“It’s not their approval I’m worried about, exactly. But you have to admit it’s an awkward transition from being Kelly’s friend to your girlfriend. There’s a new dynamic.” Her lips pressed together, and she stared off for a second. “Change freaks me out, even when I know it’s for the best.”
“Trust me, I get it. I’m the one my family thinks isn’t capable of a relationship, remember? Change doesn’t have to be scary, though.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. “In fact, it can be downright wonderful?”
“Can it?” she whispered breathlessly.
“Oh yes,” he said before kissing her.
She returned the kiss thoroughly before breaking away and giggling. “Your family will see.”
“Yes, they will,” a familiar voice said behind them.
Anna and her bright red face jumped.
“I didn’t hear you pull up,” Jack stammered.
“That’s obvious.” Kelly stood with her arms across her chest. Her gaze switched sharply from him to Anna. “What’s going on here?”
Tommy, who had gotten Reagan out of her car seat, stared at his angry wife, Jack, then Anna. Confusion registered on his face. “I, uh, will just take Reagan inside.”
“I’ll be in shortly,” Kelly answered without taking her gaze off Anna or Jack.
As Tommy walked away, he gave Jack an apologetic smile that Kelly couldn’t see. Jack was certain of that.
“It’s not what it seems,” Anna started.
“I didn’t see you and my brother kissing after you told me there was nothing between you?” Anger radiated off Kelly. “That’s not what I saw?”
“That’s what you saw, but that’s not how it started,” he told her.
