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He had a depth she hadn’t expected. An honesty. Aaron wouldnever see the truth about himself, never begin to understand the point ofself-examination. But Ellington saw his flaws and was trying to change. Sheappreciated that.

They returned to their lunches, talking about local events andIsaiah’s quest to convince the adults in his life that he really, really neededa puppy.

“There’s a bake sale in a couple of weeks,” Ellington told her.“My mother says she draws the line at baking, so Isaiah and I are going to makecupcakes together.”

“Should be a good time. I’m no pastry chef, but things likedessert can be fun. Anything with sugar.”

He laughed. “I’ll let you know how it goes.”

When they’d finished their lunch, they stood and tossed theirtrash, then started for their cars.

Halfway down the path, Ellington grabbed her hand and drew herto a stop.

“Have I scared you away?” he asked.

She stared into his dark blue eyes and allowed herself to getlost there. “You’ve given me a lot to think about,” she admitted.

“Is that a polite yes?”

“You’re not just a pretty face and you have a complicated past.What I took away is that you learned from your mistakes.”

“I’m still learning. Balance is tough for me. I love my workand my son, but they’re not my world. Something is still missing.” He turnedaway. “Now I sound like a thirteen-year-old girl.”

She reached up and touched the side of his face, turning himback to look at her. “No. You sound like someone I want to get to knowbetter.”

“Are you being polite?”

“I’m mostly impatient. This is where you’re supposed to kissme.”

His mouth turned up at the corners. “You sure?”

“Very.”

“Right now?”

“This second.”

He wrapped his arms around her and drew her against him. Shewent willingly, wanting to feel his body against hers. He was tall and muscled,different from Aaron’s leanness. She had to stretch a little for her mouth tomeet Ellington’s, and she liked that, too.

His mouth was firm yet gentle, exploring rather than taking. Hemoved against her, creating heat and friction. He wrapped his arms around herwaist, his fingers pressing into her skin. They touched from shoulder to knee,and even that wasn’t enough. She found herself wanting more, needing to deepenthe kiss. Heat exploded inside of her, surprising her with its intensity. Butthis was the middle of the day, in a public park. She drew back.

“If I were still that guy,” Ellington said ruefully.

“The backseat of your car?” she asked, then wanted to clamp herhand over her mouth. What if he hadn’t been as affected as she had been? What ifhe’d thought the kiss was only okay? The heat moved from the feminine places inher body to burn her cheeks.

“I was thinking of that thick grove of bushes,” he admitted,“but the car works, too.”

Relief tasted sweet. She smiled. “If we weren’t soresponsible.”

“Exactly.” He kissed her lightly. “I’ll call you later.”

“I’d like that.”

They parted, each returning to their cars. Jenna drove back tothe store, singing along with the radio and feeling happy and quivery at thesame time. It was going to be a very good day.

* * *

“There’s a trick to shopping,” Beth said as she pulledinto the parking lot of a consignment store Violet had never noticed before.“One or two really nice pieces can fool people into thinking you have a veryexpensive wardrobe. I had a friend who had a couture Armani jacket. She wouldtoss it over chairs, label side up. We all saw it and assumed everything elsewas designer, too, when in truth she bought most of her casual clothes atTarget.”

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