Page 51 of The House on Blueberry Lane

“Yes.”

“You might not like the color I pick.”

“I’ll like it. I trust your judgment.”

She hesitated. “You’re sure?”

“I’m positive.”

A huge smile touched her lips. “Thanks, Jaye.”

It occurred to him at that moment the number of times she had volunteered to help him with his home-improvement projects, and he would turn her down, preferring to do it himself. Now he could see how doing so had shut her out of things when they’d been together. Yet, she had remained in their relationship for three years, hoping he would change. When she saw he wouldn’t, that’s when she’d determined he was a lost cause.

“Okay, I’ll start looking at colors next week. I already have an idea of what will blend in well with the color of the house.”

“Okay.”

“Aren’t you going to ask me what that color is?”

“No. Surprise me.”

She nodded, grinning. “I’ll do that.” She glanced at her watch. “You don’t have much more daylight left so I’ll let you finish up.”

“Have you eaten dinner?” he asked her.

“No, but I’m not hungry. Sierra prepared a special brunch of soup and sandwiches for everyone, including the parents, when they came to pick up their girls. I’m still stuffed from that.”

“Just asking. I’m going to grab dinner at the Witherspoon Café and wanted to see if you’d like me to bring you back anything.” There was no need to invite her to dine with him since he knew her position on them being seen together.

“Thanks for asking, Jaye, and I’ll see you later.” She turned to leave.

“You will see me in the morning.”

She turned back to him. “Excuse me?”

“I said you’ll see me in the morning. We’re going jogging, remember?”

“Are you sure you want to do it again with me?”

“Vel, I’ll do anything again with you at any time.”

Jaye could see the darkening of her eyes and was glad she knew he wasn’t just talking about them jogging together.

“I’ll see you in the morning, Jaye.”

“At five.”

“Okay, at five.” And then he watched as she quickly walked back inside the house.

“OKAY, RUTHIE. YOU’RE BEGINNING to sound like Sierra,” Velvet said later that night as she curled up in bed. She had just finished telling her best friend the same thing she’d shared the other night with Sierra at the girls’ sleepover.

“And maybe you ought to listen to what we’re saying. If you recall, I told you whenever I saw Jaye around town, he was never with a woman. He was hanging with Mercury or his brothers. He’d pretty much become a loner after you left him. That’s why I believe what he told you about taking a break from sex-only affairs.”

“Well, it honestly doesn’t matter to me.”

“And I honestly think it does. I hope you know that the one-night stand you two shared will have the opposite effect. You’re going to want Jaye now more than ever.”

Velvet frowned. “How do you figure that?”

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