Jacob grinned. “Yeah. My little brother, Ryan, was pretty mad. He knew when he came for a visit he’d have to step it up if he wanted to top that.”
I laughed and shook my head. “You two compete a lot?”
“All the time.”
We stood in silence again. I knew he needed to leave, but I didn’t want him to go. I wanted him to stay and talk so I could get to know him better. But I knew that was ridiculous. He wasten yearsyounger than me for Pete’s sake.
“Good night, Monica,” he said softly. “I hope you have a full class tonight.”
I smiled. “Thank you for all your help. I won’t lie, it was nice not having to make four trips back and forth to the car.”
He took a small step forward and bent his head. My lips parted on their own volition. Even though the voice inside my head screamed for me to stop him, my body betrayed me by responding to his nearness. Just when I was sure he would kiss me, he closed his eyes and groaned. He slid his hands up my arms to my shoulders and set me back from him.
“Please don’t think I didn’t kiss you because I don’t want to,” he said. “But I’m not sure you’re ready. You’re going on your first date in five years tomorrow night. I don’t want to complicate things for you.”
He’s right! Stop this now!
“What if I want you to kiss me?” I whispered.
He groaned. “You—”
“You’ve already said it,” I interrupted. “I haven’t dated, much less kissed another man, in five years. I want that first kiss to be with you.”
His eyes widened and his nostrils flared. Sliding his hand up my neck to cup the back of my head, he gathered me close and closed his mouth over mine.
I stood there, soaking in the emotions flooding my senses. Just enjoying the feel of a man’s lips on mine. It had been too long. When he deepened the kiss, I knew I was a goner. Moaning, I stood on my tiptoes and linked my arms around his neck, pressing myself against him. He slid a hand down around my back to keep me pressed tight to him.
After a few minutes, we both pulled back…panting and staring at each other wide-eyed. Neither of us spoke. There was no doubt about it, if we continued down this path, I was definitely going to get hurt. I just wished I could make myself care.
Chapter 6
“Come down to the center this morning,” Mom said.
I groaned and looked at the clock next to my bed. “It’s seven! Why are you calling me this early?”
“Because it’s Tuesday morning,” Mom said.
“And?”
I heard her heavy sigh. “Today is Topsy-Turvy Tee-ball Tuesday, and one of our players, Mildred Myers, took a header off the stage at a rock concert last night and sprained her hip.
Don’t ask! Don’t ask!
“Who was she seeing in concert?” I asked against my better judgment.
“The Rolling Gallstones,” Mom said.
I blinked. “Don’t you mean The Rolling Stones?”
“No. The Rolling Gallstones. They’re really popular on the senior tour.”
I groaned. “What does this have to do with me?”
“We need you to fill in. We have to have a girl, and Mimi’s granddaughter, Katherine O’Malley, is covering a big story today.”
“What big story?” I asked.
“I’m not sure. Something Judge Thurgood’s grandson, Lance, is involved with. Some kind of scandal and arrest.”
