Marissa yanked on her wrinkled clothes. Where were her panties? She wiped the crust from her eyes and fingered her mussed hair into something manageable.
“I couldn’t find it, Grandma. I looked everywhere.” Jason’s voice carried as the screen door squeaked open. “Hey, you’re wearing the scarf! What’s going on?”
Linda checked her neck, and there was her red scarf. “Ah, you’re right. How silly of me.” She laughed and tousled the boy’s curly hair.
He swiped away her hand and dashed into the living room. “Uncle Jarrett!” He bypassed Marissa and rushed to Jarrett. “Is your bike in the garage? Will you take me for a ride? Are you here for lunch? Mom makes great sandwiches! She always makes them with this gross-looking relish, but it tastessogood.” He hugged Jarrett’s legs and grinned.
“Lunch?” He scratched his cheek as though he had trouble keeping up with the boy’s rambling. “Of course. Why else would I be here?”
Jason clapped and squealed.
“Don’t I get a hug?” Marissa smiled as her son flung his arms around her. She kissed his forehead and helped him out of his bulky winter coat. “Sweetie, take your things to your room.” She handed him the coat. “I need to speak with your grandparents.”
He sighed, grabbed his overnight bag from his grandfather, and hurried upstairs.
Marissa turned to Jarrett’s parents. Could her cheeks burn any hotter? “I wish you’d called. I’m sorry that you saw—”
Linda held up her hand. “You’re an adult. It’s not our business. Besides, this isn’t the first time we’ve caught you two together.” She smirked and folded her arms across her chest. “At least you aren’t sixteen again on my kitchen floor, covered in whipped cream.”
Oh, Lord. She hadn’t thought ofthatin years. And yes, her cheeks could definitely burn hotter. Wow. Where was an ice pack when she needed it? She fanned her hands at her face as a smug, faraway smile stretched Jarrett’s lips. The horndog. The memory surely filled his mind as well. She popped his arm.
“Come on.” Linda walked around the coffee table and grasped Marissa’s arm. “I’ll help with lunch. Jason has begged me all morning for your homemade pickle relish, so I doubt he’ll eat anything else but sandwiches.”
Most likely. Marissa let Linda pull her into the kitchen.
The men followed but paused in the hallway right outside the swinging kitchen door.
“Marissa, stop that.”
She ignored Linda’s scolding and leaned against the wall to eavesdrop.
Harold coughed, clearing his throat. “I agree with my wife—it’s not our business—but I’m warning you, Jarrett, Marissa is like a daughter to us. She doesn’t need more heartache, and you’ve hurt her enough. If you act like an uncle, like a father that Jason wants, you’ll devastate him when you go.”
“I have no intention of hurting either of them.”
She darted away as the men entered.
While Harold joined Linda at the counter, Jarrett stalked toward Aunt Carol’s antique china cabinet along the far wall. The fine lines bracketing his mouth deepened as he eyed the white-boned china on display—her and Joel’s wedding set.
Jason zipped through the doorway and tugged on Jarrett’s jeans. “Come with me. You gotta see my bedroom and all my action figures. I have a bunch!” He grabbed his uncle’s hand and pulled him from the room.
Marissa sighed and dug through the refrigerator for bread, mayonnaise, relish, cheese, and a couple of packages of turkey and ham. With her arms full, she kicked the door shut and unloaded everything on the countertop.
Linda grabbed paper plates and a platter for the sandwiches from an upper cabinet.
Harold leaned against the stove. “Are you okay?”
She stiffened. “I am, really.” She owed them an explanation like she owed double taxes, but what would it hurt to smooth things over? “There’s nothing between us. Jarrett and I grew apart a long time ago. Last night was...” Not a mistake. She didn’t regret it. “I don’t expect anything from him. I only planned to talk, but given our history, I should have known better.” She fumbled with the twisty-tie on the bag of sliced bread.
“Here, let me.” Linda took the bread from her.
Marissa swallowed the restraining lump in her throat. Sleeping with Jarrett a second time, though,wouldbe a mistake.
He returned with Jason in his arms. “That sounds cool, buddy.”
“Oh, yeah. I love superheroes. I wish Mama and I could see them again.”
Marissa smiled as she opened the jar of relish and drew in the spicy scent of vinegar and brine.
