Page 29 of Family Bonds- Jarrett & Andi

“As I said, I am. You’re not making things difficult if you’re thinking of Jack. He’s back home and it’s all good. But I’d still like to cook dinner for you if you want. If not, no big deal.”

“I’d like that. Though why don’t I take you out,” he said. “No reason you need to cook for me. I’d offer to cook, but I only grill or make sandwiches. Not sure what you can eat with the broken tooth.”

“Food isn’t that bad. Coy told me to chew on the other side though I’m keeping it somewhat softer. I don’t have a problem going out, but would prefer not to have too many people staring at me until the bruising is gone.”

He hadn’t thought of that when she pointed to her head.

“I can get takeout. Not fast food but good stuff. One of my cousins owns Duke’s. They’ve got great food. Italian is soft, right?”

“Italian sounds great,” she said.

“I’ll make sure there are no peanuts or tree nuts,” he said.

She looked confused. “Who told you that? I can eat peanuts, but not tree nuts.”

“Jack,” he said. “I was in the room when you were unconscious and Hudson was talking to him to find out allergies. He couldn’t remember which one.”

“Oh,” she said. “I hadn’t realized that. Yes, tree nuts. I love peanut butter but have to be careful as people put hazelnuts in things and that is ano-no.”

“I’ll remember that,” he said. “For the future.”

She smiled when he said that.

“I think we are done here,” she said. “Unless you want more off?”

“No,” he said. “Looks great.”

She grabbed a brush and started to run it over his neck, then took the smock off.

He followed her to the frontandpulled his wallet out, added a nice tip, and handed over the cash.

“What time do you get out of work?” she asked.

“I’ll be done around five,” he said.“HopefullyI won’t get held up. I don’t have a way to let you know if I do.”

Andi grinned. “Not very smooth when it comes to asking for my number.” She held her hand out. “Give me your phone.”

He pulled it out and unlocked it, then handed it over. “No one has ever said I was smooth,” he said. “I might need to work on that.”

“Or not,” she said. “You’re more human this way. Smooth men are normally hiding things.”

Just more clues he’d have to put away too.

“How does six sound?” he asked. “I know where you live.”

“Six sounds good. See you then. Bye, Jarrett.”

“By, Andi,” he said.

He walked to his SUV and got in, then pulled his phone out to see her contact. It wasn’t under A or B so he scrolled through and found it under T. The Klutz.

At least she had a good sense of humor and he hoped she relaxed enough to give more hints to her past.

10

WHERE THINGS LANDED

Andi was stunned at how nervous she was while she waited for Jarrett to show up at her house.

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