Oh. Hmm.She gave that some thought. Shehadbeen affected by the wine. Until Jace had brought things to a screeching halt. That had sobered her up as well as any slap to the face might. Still, her shoulders lifted a notch. Her once rising insecurities waned a bit. Perhaps Jace Burns really was the gentleman she always hoped he was.
She let that settle in on the drive back. Eventually, Jace put the tunes back on. A few moments later, he stretched his arm out toward her. Palm up, inviting her to take it. She did. Reveling in the feel of his warm, solid palm against hers. Just what had he said after stopping that kiss? In truth, Amy hadn’t paid much attention to the words. She’d been too offended by the action. But really… what had he said?
“You’re shooting a segment tomorrow, huh?”
“Yes,” she said. “Couples yoga. And if I’mAverage Amy, and I’m trying it on behalf of the average Jo, that means I need a partner who’s never done it either.”
“So did they find you one?” Jace asked.
“The station?” Amy scoffed. “No, I’m on my own for stuff like that. Kassy’s going to do it with me.”
“Ah.” He tipped his head back. “Well, if she chickens out between now and tomorrow, let me know and I’ll take her place.”
“You wouldnotdo that,” she said, disbelieving.
Jace shot her a look. “Wait, youdidcall me Mr. Fearlessin that message, right? OfcourseI’d do it.”
“You just said something about how scary it was for people to go on live TV.”
“Yeah,people,” he said, “but notme.”
Amy considered that. Usually, when it came down to it, most people couldn’t take the idea of appearing on live TV. Heck, it would take all ten fingers and even a few toes to count the number of people who’d either refused to appear with her or backed out upon agreeing to do so.
“Well, that’s good to know,” she said. “Kassy has yet to get cold feet on me. Even her boys have appeared on a few segments, but if something comes up in the future, it’s good to know I’ve got a backup.”
“Right. I’ll be your backup man.” He nodded, a pleased expression on his handsome face. “My mom’s a big fan of your show, by the way. Did you know that?”
There was no holding back the grin that formed at her lips. “She is?”
“Oh yeah. I told her I was going out with you and she said she wants me to send her a pic of us together. I think she plans to print it out and beg for your signature so she can frame it and put it next to her collection.”
Amy laughed. “Right under Michael Jackson’s?”
Jace nodded. “Yep. Under MJ, nudged between Kathy Lee Gifford and Michael Phelps.”
“Does your mom really collect autographed photos?”
“Totally. And she does actually have all the ones I mentioned. Except Michael Jackson, that is.”
“Too bad,” Amy said. “That’d be a pretty cool one.”
“Right, right.”
She searched her memory, recalled one tidbit he’d shared. “Did you say you’re going to be in town for a while?”
“Yes,” he said with a nod. “On business. We had a private concern arise here in Denver and so I’m here to check it out.”
Amy nodded, figuring he couldn’t divulge a whole lot. Likewise, even his closest friends wouldn’t hear much of his days as a SEAL. Not details, anyway. Privileged information and all that.
“Logan was in the SEALs with me, did you know that?” he asked.
“Yes. He always said he’d be a SEAL one day.”
Jace nodded. “He’s a good man. Probably kept me grounded through our days out there. Not sure I would’ve made it without him.”
Amy considered that. “I’m sure he’d say the same about you.”
Jace shrugged. “I’m more of a risk-taker. Well, I’m a risk-weigherfirst.”
