Eidetic memory?
Blessed.
They’re just coincidences, but not for Morgan. I cannot believe that woman showed up like a stalker. I knew if my preacher-side came out, her panties would be drenched. That was never a part of me I wanted her to see. And for good reason. Now I have a shadow because of acoincidence. Not because of who I am.
I grab branches and toss them into a giant metal container, followed by a broken planter and trash bags. Morgan’s rightbehind me, dragging two heavy bags of debris. She chucks them high.
One straddles the container edge, the other hits the side and falls onto the ground. I side-eye her as I pick it up and throw it into the bin.
She watches me like I just performed a miracle.
This second-coming of Jesus idea in her dumb head needs to stop, so I fold my arms and look down at her, annoyed.
“How did you end up on the same roster as me?” I gesture around at the twenty other men working, all my age. “This group is for guys who need community service hours.”
I shrug. “God works in mysterious ways.”
“Real mysterious,” I grumble, knowing she weaseled her way into my group.
She gives an innocent smile and follows me like a lost puppy. This is getting ridiculous. I am about to tell her to go fuck off somewhere else, but she speaks first.
“What hotel are you staying at tonight?”
I keep walking and answer dismissively, “The Lighthouse Nooks. Too dirty for a princess like you.”
“Oh. Can I stay with you?”
I freeze and my eyes bulge at the outrageous request.
Thump!
I spin around.
“Easy! I got ya,” says Alex, the group leader, who grasps Morgan’s forearm and helps her stand.
She must’ve tripped and fallen on the sidewalk’s uneven edge. He leans down and swipes at the sand on theknees of her overalls.
My gaze fixes on his hands touching her. I snap my eyes shut and force myself to step away. I slip behind a building to catch my breath. My heart is racing way too damn fast.
“Christ,” I scold. “Nope. I’m good. Nothing happened.”
Except, something did. That rage sparked. That protective energy I felt at the diner clawed to the surface from just seeing another guy touching her.
He was simply helping her. I’m so fucked. I can’t be around that woman. I thought this lose-my-mind-shit was over.
I draw in a deep breath and hold it, then exhale slowly, trying to calm myself.
“There you are!” says Morgan, appearing from around the corner.
Of course she found me.
“You alright?” she asks, her smile fading.
“Uh huh. Fine.”
“You look pale,” she murmurs. Concern swirls in those deep emerald-brown eyes. She reaches for my face, and I do a quick side-step to evade her touch. “Jack? What is it?”
The group leader blows a whistle. “Wrap it up! We’re done.”
