Page 69 of Hot for the Jerk

“Let me just throw out a hypothetical here,” Gabrielle said.“Let’s say Jagger has no ulterior motives when it comes to burying the hatchet and showing interest in you.Is that such a bad thing?Are you not interested in him that way?”

My instinct was to say no.That I had ghosted him years ago for a reason.And I needed to listen to my gut.But my mouth couldn’t form the words.

“I’m guessing by your silence that you’re not altogether opposed to the idea of Jagger showing interest in you.Or burying the hatchet,” Danica said, lifting her dark-blonde brows.She shrugged.“I mean, fair enough, the man is very nice to look at.”

“And he did make you come twice,” Naomi added, which instantly sent heat to my cheeks.“We can’t forget that part.He knows his way around—”

“Maybe you should have some more nachos, Nay,” I said loudly, drowning her out.

Naomi snickered, but then grabbed more nachos when she realized it was a good idea.

“Countdown is on,” Danica said, checking her phone.“Should we gather the baby vintners?We’ve got five minutes to midnight.”

Standing up, Gabrielle put her middle and index finger in her mouth and let out one hell of a whistle.“Five minutes to midnight,” she called out before heading to the fridge to grab the sparkling wine.

Danica and I brought out the champagne flutes—enough for everyone—while Naomi found the countdown on the television, then brought out the noise makers.With ninety seconds to go, the kids joined us—all of them in their matching cousin pajamas, which consisted of six identical green and yellow dinosaur onesies.Even Damon, who was generally too cool for stuff like that, jumped on board to match his cousins.

Gabrielle poured all the glasses, and we each grabbed one.We were a family of winemakers, of course the children even got the real stuff.

Marco found me, and I wrapped an arm around him.“Here’s hoping the new year brings all kinds of wonderful things your way, kiddo,” I said, kissing him on the side of the head.

He rolled his eyes, but smiled.

“All right,” Naomi said, “Ten …”

“Nine,” we all chanted.“Eight … seven … six … five … four … three … two … one!Happy New Year!”

The kazoo-type noise makers filled the air as we all sipped our sparkling Moscato and hugged.It wasn’t a big celebration, or a fancy one, but it was ours, and it was special.After so many years of oppression, fear, and brainwashing, my cousins and I—with our children—were finally free.And best of all, we were happy and so were our kids.We were all thriving.Since arriving on the island, I hadn’t wished for anything on my birthday candles or shooting stars, because I thought that would be greedy.

My wish had already been granted.My son and I were safe and free.But now, as I smiled and laughed and hugged my family, a new wish slowly crept into my heart.A wish for … companionship.For a partner.For love outside that of my family.Maybe that would come this year?Or maybe like my other wish, I had to wait a while.Either way, I was hopeful.

I was also really curious to know how a particular man with a beard and glasses spent his New Year’s Eve, and whether or not he had kissed anybody.A part of me really hoped he hadn’t.

As if Mother Nature was telling us this was going to be a wonderful year, January 1 brought with it a bright and shiny sun, blue sky, and an exhilarating nip in the air.Luckily, last night it didn’t freeze, but the roads and trails were wet.I itched to get out for a run to burn off some of the calories I consumed in the last several days.I made sure Marco was fed, and content playing video games with his cousins.Then I drove to the head of my favorite trail, put in my headphones, tugged the knit cap over my ears with my gloves on, and headed out.

I hated exercise.The idea of it repulsed me.I also hated doing it.All I thought about with every single stride was that I was one step closer to this god-awful torture being done.But running was a necessity for me.It kept me sane.It also kept me fit.I liked my carbs, I liked my wine, and I loved my chocolate.If I didn’t run, I wouldn’t be able to walk.

Lost in thought and mouthing the words to “Work Bitch” by the incomparable Britney Spears, I nearly ran face-first into the titanium chest of one Jagger McEvoy.

Because, of course, I fucking did.

Luckily, his reflexes were faster than mine, and he managed to dodge me.There was no collision, and I only felt slightly embarrassed, not positively mortified.

He stopped, his chest heaving, and he yanked out one earbud.“Elsa!Happy New Year.”

I pulled out one earbud as well.“I should be annoyed to find you once again where I am, but we’ve run into each other on this trail before.So …”

“Happy New Year to you too, Jagger.Fancy meeting you on one of our favorite trails.Isn’t it a nice day to go running?Why, yes, Raina,it is a very nice day to go running.How did you spend your New Year’s Eve?I spent my New Year’s Eve pining over you and thinking about more ways I could run into you.”His grin was diabolical.“Did you now?Well, funny you should mention it, that’s exactly how I spent my New Year’s Eve too.”

“Are you ever serious?”I asked, the pulse in my ears a loud, quickthud-thud.

“More often than I wish, actually.Did you have a nice New Year’s Eve?”

“We did.Thank you.You?”

“Quiet.Low-key.Did a Central Mountain Time celebration with the kids, so they went to bed at ten.Then the adults played a board game until midnight, and I was in my footie pajamas and donning my sleep mask by twelve-thirty.”

The image of Jagger’s enormous frame in footie pajamas and a sleep mask made me smirk.

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