“Hey there.” A smiling Sofia stopped by Jenna’s table, looking carefree in a breezy white top that complemented her deep skin tone.
“Well, hello.” Jenna jumped up and hugged her friend. “Where’s Jack?”
Sofia gestured at the end of the long line. “Over there, holding our place.”
Jenna and Jack exchanged waves and smiles, then Sofia joined Jenna at the table.
“Did you come alone?” Sofia asked.
“No, Mom just headed inside for the restroom.”
“Good.” Sofia waggled her brows. “It’ll give us a few minutes to chat.”
Jenna cut her a sideways look. “Did we have something to chat about?”
“Well, yes. I’ve been dying to know if you’ve kissed him yet.”
Jenna jolted backward. “Kissedwho?”
“Don’t be coy with me. It’s been two weeks since you and Ty were flirting right out in the open, and yesterday Linsey Burkett told me you two were looking pretty cozy on the dance floor Saturday night at Chatties.”
Jenna gave a mock scowl. “This island is way too small.”
“You’re dodging the question...”
“I have not kissed Ty.” But then Jenna remembered the kiss she’d given him on the cheek. She could still feel the roughness of his jaw, and the mere thought of it made her lips tingle.
“Are you lying to me right now? Because you’re biting your lip again.”
Drat. Jenna let loose of her lip. She had to get that stupid tell under control. “It was just a kiss on the cheek. Happy now?”
Sofia’s face fell. “Not really. I was hoping for something a little more scandalous.”
Jenna chuckled. “Stop it. We’re just friends.”
“So you keep saying.” Sofia’s gaze traveled over Jenna’s shoulder. Her mom must be returning.
Sofia stood, giving Jenna a knowing look. “Keep me in the loop.”
“There is no loop.”
“Oh, there’s a loop.” Sofia beamed at Jenna’s mom as she neared. “Hi, Mama Dee.”
“Sofia, honey, so good to see you. How’s your mother? I haven’t seen her since the Christmas tree lighting.”
They caught up for a few minutes, then Sofia returned to the line while Jenna and her mom headed back to the car. On the way home Jenna shook Sofia’s ribbing about Ty from her mind and forced herself to think about Mom and Gordon instead. At therate their relationship was progressing, they would have to level up their research and quick.
We need to put a rush on our research.
Ty pulled his hand back from stroking Penny, and she pawed the ground in protest. Mama Dee must’ve said something when they went for ice cream tonight. Ty tapped on Jenna’s contact and put the phone to his ear.
She answered on the first ring. “Seriously, what have you got against texting?”
“What did your mom say?”
Jenna sighed. “She’s falling hard for the guy. Like, she’s on love’s doorstep here. We have to be more proactive. Gordon has no plans to leave anytime soon. I wish I could just tell her my suspicions, but she’s so far gone, I don’t think it would do any good.”
“Have you given any more thought to that DC trip?”
