Page 57 of The Last Close Call

Rowan took a deep breath, trying not to think about the state of her hair or the fact that she hadn’t showered in almost forty-eight hours.

“No problem.” She forced a smile. “What’s up?”

Jack gazed down at her. A ripple of heat went through her as he reached up and touched her lip.

“Doritos?”

“What?”

He showed her the orange crumb on his finger.

She licked the side of her mouth. “We were just finishing dinner.” She ducked past him. “Would you like a drink?”

She padded into the kitchen, snatching up her glass on the way.

He followed her and leaned against the doorframe. “I’m sorry to break up the party.”

“No party.” She checked the drink shaker. “Just Lila’s night off. We do this every week. When the weather’s nice, we sit outside around the fire pit, but it’s been too wet lately.” She took a Star Wars glass down from the cabinet and poured the remainder of the cocktail into it, then crossed the kitchen and handed it to him.

He took the glass and sniffed it. “Mai tai?”

“Cherry mojito.”

He made a face.

“Try it.”

She turned away, catching her reflection in the microwave as she headed into the den. God, she had a scrunchie in her hair again.

“You know, you really have a talent.”

He followed her into the den. “For what?”

“Nothing. Have a seat.” She sank onto the sofa, trying to act totally comfortable even though her pulse was racing now.

Jack was in her house.

He’d been here before, but that was business. And that was before the kiss. Now all she could think of was how tall he was. And whether his feet would hang off the end of her bed.

He stepped over an empty plate on the floor.

“I should have called but—” He lowered himself onto her armchair, and she felt a twinge of disappointment. His gaze met hers. “—I didn’t want to make it weird.”

“Weird?”

“I have a proposition for you.”

TWELVE

His words sent a jolt of nerves through her.

“What sort of proposition?”

“You can say no, obviously. But I’m hoping you won’t.”

Now she was more intrigued than ever.

“Does this proposition involve your case?” she asked. Part of her hoped it was personal, and part of her was unnerved by the idea that he’d come over here and proposition her about anything after that kiss the other night. Her gaze drifted to his mouth, and she felt heat rippling through her.

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