He shifts so that he can face me more fully. “No, I really want to know.”
“Graham mentioned Sofia,” I say. “He probably just felt a little awkward hanging out with you while you were romancing the new girl.”
I stubbornly do not look at him.
Everett sets his cookie down, brushes his hands free of crumbs. Then he leans his elbow on the bar as he watches me. “What did Graham say about Sofia?”
“That she’s the Spanish me,” I say. Yuck. I hate that.
Everett chuckles.
I look over at him. “That’s funny?”
“Not funny. I guess it’s accurate. I just hadn’t thought of her that way.”
“Is it accurate?” I ask.
“Well, she’s the daughter of the man we want to do business with. She’s smart and knows everything about her father’s business, so she often comes to meetings and helps interpret. Actually, literally sometimes, because her dad’s first language is Spanish.”
“And she’s gorgeous from what I hear,” I say. Fuck it. If I’m going to embarrass myself, I might as well go all in.
“She’s very beautiful,” Everett agrees.
I do not want to talk about this. I pop the last bite of my cookie into my mouth and turn to leave.
Everett's hand on my arm stops me. “Ginger.”
That fucking nickname. I look back at him. “What?”
“Is that why you left the bar early? Not because you thought Jack and I should talk, but because Graham mentioned Sofia?”
That was exactly why I left the bar early. I sigh. “Your ego is out of control.”
He grins. “That’s not a no.”
“If you have a new girlfriend, good for you. But you need to quit flirting with me. Quit saying things like you miss me.”
His hand tightens around my arm. “I do not have a new girlfriend.”
“Well, I know you just met Sofia. But it sounds promising. Graham says she really likes you.”
“Did Graham tell you how I feel abouther?”
“I didn’t ask.”
“Well, maybe you should. But askme.”
This reminds me of our time in the kitchen after Thanksgiving. The light above the sink is the only light besides the ambient light from the yard. The room smells like sugar and vanilla. It’s warm and cozy, full of memories. And I love that he seems so comfortable here. He’s also so damn good-looking.
“Fine, how do you feel about Sofia?”
“I’m glad we have her help with this project. She’s helping us ease her father's concerns about our proposal and is talking with other area farmers who know her family well. If her father decides to work with us, four of his friends will as well. She understands the science behind what we’re doing and is enthusiastic about the positive environmental impact.” His gaze tracks all over my face. “And I kind of like that she’s making you jealous.”
“I’m not jealous,” I say. But we both know that’s not true.
He stands so he’s towering over me. Then he leans, bracing both hands on the counter behind me, very in my personal space.
My entire body reacts. It heats, my nipples harden, my clit tingles. Every inch of my body wants him to touch it.
