Mia smiled. “Okay, yeah. That sounds like fun.”
“Great. I’ll pick you up about 5:30?”
“Sounds good.”
They said their goodbyes and Mia immediately turned to go tell Allison but was met with Jackson’s solid chest. Jackson’s arms came to hers to steady her.
“Oomph.”
“Whoa there. Why are you in such a hurry?” he asked.
Mia laughed. “I think the better question is ‘why are you standing so close to me without announcing your presence?’”
“You were on the phone. It would have been rude.”
Mia’s face heated. “How much did you hear?”
If he had been standing there before she mentioned Noah putting Jeff up to it, the whole plan would go up in flames. But maybe it would be best if it just ended now. Despite always having feelings for Jackson, this little ruse had intensified it when it used to be a low simmer in the background. Now it was constantly on her mind.
“I heard you say something sounded like fun. Why?”
Mia internally breathed a sigh of relief. “Just curious.” She pulled a lip between her teeth, trying to decide if she should tell him about the date or just let him hear it through the grapevine. Of course, he already knew Jeff had asked her out, but he didn’t know they had officially made plans.
“Do you have plans tonight? I’m wondering if you’d like to do movie night? I can grab wings.”
“I’m actually going on a date with Jeff. But raincheck?”
Jackson blinked as he watched her. And if she didn’t know any better, she would have thought it was a blip in the matrix.
“You okay?”
“Uh, yeah. Yeah, I’m good. Tomorrow then?”
Mia nodded. “Yeah, sounds like a plan.”
He strolled out of the library, but not before looking back at Mia with an unreadable expression on his face.
Mia pulledon a dark blue flower sundress before grabbing a light cardigan to keep her warm for when the temperature dipped. He had said originally they would go to Antonio’s, but she wasn’t entirely positive that was still the plan. Either way, she thought a sundress was the safe option.
A knock sounded on her front door, so she grabbed her clutch and pulled it open. Jeff stood on the other side, holding abouquet of purple tulips. He wore tan slacks and a blue button-up shirt, with his short, dark hair styled in a messy, yet attractive way.
“You look beautiful,” Jeff said. He handed her the bouquet, which she immediately sniffed.
“Thank you.”
They stood in silence for a moment before Jeff held his hand out toward his car.
“Shall we?”
She nodded and locked her door, pulling it shut. Jackson pulled into his driveway at that moment and got out of his truck. Mia could feel his eyes raking over her, and she smiled slightly at him.
“Hey, Jackson. How’s it going?” Jeff asked as he pulled the passenger side door of his car open for Mia. She slid inside and he closed the door, muffling Jackson’s words, but she could make out him telling them to have a good time as he walked into his house. His eyes briefly met hers before he shut his door. She couldn’t read the look on his face, but he almost looked disappointed?
No. That wasn’t possible.
As they backed out of the driveway, Mia saw Jackson looking at them through his living room window with that same look before the blinds slid back into place. She pushed the thought of him out of her mind the best she could and focused on Jeff.
They drove over to the next town, making conversation as they went.
