Ty’s frown deepened. What if Seth asked Jenna out? What if she fell for him and they ended up together? A pit opened in his stomach. Maybe Ty and Jenna were a bad idea, but Seth and Jenna were a terrible idea. The thought made him sick.
And what does that tell you, huh?
More than he wanted to know, that was for sure. When Jenna threw her head back in laughter, Ty glanced away. If he didn’t see it, it couldn’t bother him.
But a minute later that plan didn’t seem to be working. Ty’s palms sweated just sitting here thinking about Seth holding her hand, touching the small of her back.
You’re an idiot, Parker.
Of its own volition his gaze skated back to the couple just as Jenna glanced his way. Beaming at him, she waved him toward the dance floor. That sounded like a miserable idea if he’d ever heard one. But no more miserable than watching his brother show her a good time.
If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.
Seth wasn’t the only one who could be fun. Ty got up and joined them as the final chorus kicked up. He wasn’t a bad dancer himself and couldn’t help showing off a little. He grabbed Jenna’s hand and spun her out. Her hair whipped around her shoulders as he spun her back in, and he relished her wide smile and sparkling eyes.
For a minute he let himself forget Seth, forget the tension that had been bubbling up since Jenna’s return to the island, and just enjoyed her company. And it was working great.
Until the music segued to a slow song.
“Hey, I gotta go talk to Nick Voigt,” Seth called over the music. And then he was gone.
The couples around them were pairing up as the opening strains of “Die a Happy Man” swelled. Like a glutton for punishment, Ty held out his arms.
Jenna stepped into them, her eyes still sparkly and alive. Her hands landed on his shoulders while his settled at her waist. His body responded to her nearness, her touch. His heart pinged around his chest like a pinball.
Great idea, genius.
But here was the thing: Itdidfeel like a great idea. It felt like the best dang idea he’d ever had. She felt perfect in his arms. He tucked his knee between hers, and they moved together like two halves of the same whole.
As the verse led into the chorus, she shifted closer until her temple brushed his jaw. He moved his hands to the small of her back. He caught a whiff of something sweet and pleasant. Something all Jenna. A wisp of hair tickled the side of his face. It felt so good to have her in his arms. He couldn’t remember ever feeling this good.
And yet, this wasJenna.
Jenna, who at thirteen had insisted on playing tackle football even though he and his brothers outsized her. Jenna, who’d been so brave in the face of her father’s heroic death. Jenna, who’d comforted him when he confided in her about his biological father’s abandonment one night on her front porch.
The dichotomy between his feelings then versus now nearly gave him whiplash. But there was no denying the enormous shift that had somehow taken place in his heart. How had this happened? And how was she in his arms again after he’d committed to keeping a physical space between them? He couldn’t seem to help himself.
Her fingers skated inadvertently over his nape, and a wave of gooseflesh swept down his arms. He was uber aware of each place where their bodies connected. The rhythmic brush of their thighs. The soft press of her temple to his cheek. The slight weight of her forearms on his shoulders. His arms practically vibrated with the urge to pull her against him. He squeezed his eyes shut.
This is Jenna.
This is Jenna.
This is Jenna.
He had to think about something else or he would end up doing something he’d regret. He spotted Luke and Trinity a short distance away, swaying to the music in their own little bubble. The romantic sight did nothing to distract him from his thoughts of Jenna.
A muted Braves game played on the big-screen TV in the corner. It was five-four in the third inning. The Braves were up to bat with empty bases and two outs. The game broke for a commercial.
His gaze drifted to their table, where Seth was digging into his appetizer. Remembering the way he’d flirted with Jenna, Ty pressed his lips together, and his arms tightened protectively around her.
She set her cheek against his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
His legs went weak. His pulse thrummed at his neck where her breath feathered his skin. Sweet heaven.
This was not good.
And yet... this wassogood.
