Page 23 of No Ordinary Love

"Are you saying I should use him as a rebound?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He shrugged, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips. "If that's what you need right now, then maybe. Rebounds get a bad rap, but sometimes they're exactly what you need to move on. You know the saying about getting under someone to get over someone, don't ya? And Jax seems like the kind of guy who can handle himself. Just be upfront with him and see what happens."

I mulled over his words, letting them sink in. Basil had a point—maybe Iwasoverthinking it. Jax was good to me, and I enjoyed spending time with him. Maybe it didn't have to be so complicated. Perhaps I could let myself have a little fun and explore a new relationship without the pressure of it turning into more.

"I don't want you to get a big head," I chuckled. "But, I think you're right. I've been so caught up in what might happen that I haven't allowed myself to just be in the moment."

"Dr. Dearden's pop-psych skills are always at your service." His smile widened. "And call me whenever you need to, okay? I'm always here, even if I'm all the way across the country."

"Ditto." My heart swelled with gratitude. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"I'm glad you and I never have to find out what we'd do without each other," he said somberly. "Now, go text Jax and invite him over for dinner. You've got that new kitchen—you might as well put it to good use. And maybe…your new bed too?"

I laughed as I ended the call. Without allowing myself to ponder further, I pulled up Jax's contact and started typing.

Me:Hey, how about you come over for dinner tomorrow? I'll cook, and you can finally see how the garden is turning out.

I hit send before I could second-guess myself, and within moments, his reply came through.

Jax:Been dying to see it, darlin'. What time should I be there?

I smiled, a sense of anticipation bubbling up. This was a step forward into something new and just for me. It didn't need to be serious, permanent, or anything more than what it was.

Me:Let's say 7? Anything you don't eat?

Jax:I eat everything. But my favorite is…starts with P sounds like hussy.

I rolled my eyes at that. He was a consummate flirt and just what I needed right now. A little bit of fun and a man like Jax to pay me attention and heal my bruised heart and ego.

Chapter 10

Lucas

Hugh Bellamy had always been in my life. The Bellamys and my parents had been close friends, which was why Shelby, Flynn, Kath, and I had more or less grown up together.

I respected Hugh and looked up to him, especially after we merged Bellamy Foods with Lowcountry Provisions. He was family—hell, his son was married to my sister, and our lives had been entwined for years.

He was also more than just a father figure or a board member, he was a reminder of all the expectations that came with the Covington name, with the legacy I was supposed to uphold. Expectations I was starting to realize I couldn't—or ratherwouldn't—meet.

Hugh and Mama had always wanted the families to unite, which was why when Shelby and Flynn started dating, it was a relief, especially since Kath and I had ended badly. Hugh had been worried then what Kath's defection would mean forbusiness, but I'd been transparent and open with him that Kath and I would keep it professional, which we had.

In the beginning, it had been awkward and difficult when Mercer and Kath were newly dating. She'd been cagey aboutwhenexactly they began dating but assured me that she'dnevercheated on me. I believed her because I wanted to, and did it matter? She'd left me for my friend. She'd broken my heart, and when exactly she began fucking him would only add to my pain; at least, that was what twenty-five-year-old Lucas, who had never lost anything in his life, had thought.

But after a while, it got better. I started seeing women and all but removed Kath and Mercer from my social life. When Amara and I dated, it was even easier because she was reticent to join the Charleston Society hoopla unless and until I had no choice, and then she accompanied me.

Kath was the social butterfly. I was more of an introvert; I preferred smaller groups of friends than a large, raucous crowd.

I wished I hadn't gone to that damned Magnolia Ball. Seeing Amara there with Jax, whom my grandma had conveniently invited to keep my ex company had been difficult.

Grandma was imbued in Charleston society. She was, after all, the matriarch of the Covington family; she held her status over anyone and everyone she could. She was intelligent in how she worked society to benefit the family business and I'd learned from her. Parties were only relevant if they helped you network and moved your agenda; otherwise, you were better off staying away and not screwing it up, saying the wrong thing to the wrong person, or worse, the wrong thing to the right person.

I'd been taught tobehavemyself in public, to never tarnish the Covington name.

"But I don't understand why anyone would care if I wore real or fake jewelry, Lucas," Amara protested when I insisted she wear a diamond bracelet I had bought her for a family event.

"They'd notice, and they'd care. Please, Amara. This is important."

She'd worn the bracelet but had promptly returned it to me, refusing to keep it in her house. I had hoped that she'd see the jewelry as hers once we lived together, but since she left it all behind when she left me, it was obvious she never had.

---