“You slept in,” Bianca said with an accusatory tone.
“It’s before seven on a Saturday. Don’t try to make me sound lazy.”
“I can only stay for a minute. I have yoga at eight, but I stopped by to see Mom and Dad, and figured I’d walk over and pester you.”
Their parents were very early risers, even on the weekends. “So nice of you,” Lexi retorted, plopping down in one of the armchairs in her living room.
“Dad and I just had averyinteresting conversation.” Bianca perched on the arm of the chair opposite Lexi, crossing her legs and bobbing a foot, seeming wholly satisfied with herself.
“Interesting how?”
“You went on a date and didn’t even tell me? I’m more than a little insulted.”
“How do you know about that?” Lexi asked.
“Dad saw you kissing some guy at your doorstep. A big guy he didn’t recognize.”
It came as little surprise that her parents would be nosy about this, especially her dad. Something told Lexi that they would love it if she became romantically involved with another man, only so they could have something to tell their friends, rather than making excuses about how she was still pulling her disastrous life together. The only problem was there was no way Jack was that guy. Her parents appreciated old money and the families swimming in it. She wished she could drag them into the present day, where a person’s money, how long they’d had it, or where it came from was zero indicator of their character. “I really need to get my own place. I’ll never be able to move on with my life with my own parents spying on me.”
“Call that real estate agent I told you about.”
“I will.”
“And stop avoiding the subject,” Bianca chastised. “Tell me about this mystery man.”
Lexi’s instinct was to keep Jack all to herself. She wanted him to be her delicious secret. Unfortunately, since they’d been seen together at Sheen, that was no longer an option. Also, she couldn’t hide Jack from her sister, especially when the corners of her mouth quirked up into a smile when she thought about him. “It wasn’t a date. At least not a real one.”
“Unless you’ve taken to hiring male escorts, I have no idea what that means.”
“Oh, stop. His name is Jack Bowden. I had to go to the Soiree on the Bay construction site Thursday afternoon, and we met.” Lexi wasn’t quite sure how to explain what had happened next. In many ways, it was still so inexplicable. One minute she was enduring Ross Edmond’s pity-laden small talk and the next, a handsome man she’d known for mere minutes was pretending he was her boyfriend.
“I thought you had sworn off guys, completely.”
“I have. Totally.” Even Lexi wasn’t so convinced anymore. “But Jack swooped in when Ross Edmond was asking a few too many prying questions about everything that happened with Brett. I think the minute Jack overheard the part about being left at the altar, he felt sorry for me. So, he told Ross that we were dating.” Since that moment, Lexi’d had some time to think about it, and had wondered whether he’d been motivated to do it simply because he felt sorry for her. She appreciated the gesture, but she didn’t want that from anyone.
“Wow. Bold move on his part. And you just went along with it?”
“What else was I supposed to do? I wanted Ross to go away, and I’ll do anything to get people to stop talking about me. Especially the Royal Reporters.”
“So. Tell me. What’s this Jack like?” Bianca took another long sip of her juice.
Lexi had to think on that one. Jack was unlike any man she’d ever spent time with. He was formidable, but kind, seemingly an open book, but one with lots of revelations she hadn’t expected. “Handsome. Funny. Full of surprises.”
“Is he one of the financiers of the festival?”
Lexi shook her head. “No. He owns the construction company that was contracted for the festival. It’s a little embarrassing, but when I met him, I thought he was one of the workers. He was dressed in jeans and work boots.”
“Ooh. A working class guy. That’s a big change for you. Is he in really good shape?” Bianca had a mischievous glint in her eye.
Lexi bit down on her lip just thinking about Jack’s muscle-bound frame and what it had felt like to be swept up in his very capable arms. “Unbelievably good shape.”
“Okay. I need to meet this guy. Like right away.” Bianca rose from her seat and shot a pointed glance at Lexi. “Bring him to the library fundraiser Friday night.”
Oh no.She had completely forgotten about the literacy event Bianca had been planning for months. It was being held at the Texas Cattleman’s Club and would be a veritable who’s who of Royal. “I can’t go if Brett is going to be there. I’ve only seen him once since the wedding and that was plenty. I really can’t be around him if he’s going to be with Sarabeth.”
“Do you honestly think I would make you come if Brett was going to be there? I purposely sent his invitation late. By the time he received it, the tickets were already sold out. He did write us a sizable check though. I call that a win-win.”
Lexi felt a small measure of relief, but something else was bothering her. Would she seem desperate if she asked Jack out so soon? Then again, Lexi didn’t want to go alone. Her sister would be no company at all, too busy chatting with the library’s many supporters and dealing with things like the silent auction. “I don’t know if that’s a great idea. I’m trying to stay away from men, remember?”
