Page 66 of The Sandover Beach Billionaire

He smiled. “Understandable. I wasn’t sure if you would, so I made sure.”

“By making me sign a contract?” She gave him a dirty look.

He chuckled. “Not the most romantic way I’ve ever asked someone on a date. But very effective.”

Her heart flip flopped in her chest: a date. He gave her a sideways glance as he plated up steaming fresh pasta, chicken, and vegetables. He sprinkled fresh cheese on top of each plate.

“I’ve got the table set on the porch,” he said.

“I saw. It’s lovely.”

Jenna hopped down from the stool and followed him out with their waters. When they were seated outside at the picnic table, Jenna felt suddenly shy. Jackson didn’t seem to have the same issue. Without hesitation, he took her hand. “Mind if I say grace?”

“Go ahead.” She closed her eyes. The feel of his hand on hers had her thinking about anything but prayer. They were warm and his skin soft, but his grip was firm and sure. She felt safe with him. But she had felt safe before. Tears pricked behind her closed eyes as Jackson began to pray.

“Lord, thank you for the sometimes strange ways that you work. How you take broken things and fix them. Even broken people. Thank you for friendship and for more than friendship. Amen.”

He squeezed her hand before letting go. Jenna felt breathless and teary. Sitting here with him felt like too much. Clearly, whatever feelings had been developing between them hadn’t gone away. For her, they had gained strength, like a hurricane hovering over the water before making landfall. Jenna wanted this, but she wasn’t used to getting what she wanted.

“Are you okay, Monroe?”

Hearing his nickname for her almost pushed Jenna over the edge. A shuddery breath escaped her. “I’m fine, I guess, just … surprised.”

“I hope it’s a good surprise.”

“It is.” She stopped all the other questions on her lips and picked up her fork instead, thankful for the food for distraction.

Everything was delicious. Maybe the best thing she’d eaten in months. After a few minutes of eating, punctuated only by the sounds of forks hitting plates and birds calling as they made their way back to roost, Jackson set his fork down and leaned forward, elbows on the table. His eyes crinkled a little with a smile as they fixed on her.

“What?” Jenna wiped her mouth, just in case there was something on her face.

“Hm?”

“You’re staring.”

“So, what if I am?” His mouth lifted on one side, a flirty look.

“You’re making it kind of hard to eat. And the food is excellent, so I’d really like to eat.”

“Did you know this cottage is where I grew up?”

She blinked at his words. “Really?” She hadn’t ever known where he lived, which was a little surprising given the size of Sandover. But then, she’d never been close with him back then.

“Yep. The back bedroom on the kitchen side was mine. I still remember sneaking out past my parents’ room and where the creaky spots in the floor are. Well—were. The renovation fixed that.”

The thought of living in his childhood home overwhelmed her. She had loved the house when she saw it but felt even more drawn to it now. “The renovation is amazing. I’m really impressed.”

“Thank you. I was happy with how it turned out.” He pushed his plate forward and leaned back in his chair, watching her. “This is also the house where I fell for a girl that I couldn’t have. First, because she was with another guy—one who definitely didn’t deserve her—and then because I didn’t deserve her. But I kept her picture in a book next to my bed in that very room. It seems only fitting that she’ll be sleeping right across the hall now.”

Jenna felt her cheeks flush. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“That I liked you or that this was my house?”

“Both, I guess.”

“Fear. Both times, it was fear. But I’m working on that,” he said. “Maybe tricking you into dinner wasn’t the bravest move, but I figured I’d be all kinds of fearless once I had you sitting here.”

Jenna was still processing. “The price of the house—I knew it was too low! You and Mercer were in on this together.”

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