Page 61 of A Touch of Spring Magic

“Has that changed?”

“Why are you trying to complicate things?”

“Because they’re complicated. Or they can be, and my feelings, Jay, are simple, and yet may prove to be so very complicated.”

A cold slap of reason—and never had she needed one more.

It shouldn’t feel like rejection. He was quoting her own argument. Her own words. But never did she imagine he’d shut her down.

“Have you changed your mind?”About me?

“Never,” he said. “But I can’t do casual if that’s all you’re offering.”

“That’s all it can be,” she said. “We’re both in a rebuilding mode, right? We have to focus on the work, and I apologize for getting carried away. We’re working together. Rules must be obeyed.”

OMG wasn’t that in an ABBA song fromMamma Mia? And never had she meant anything less. She could not meet his gaze. He could hardly have feelings for her if he was trying to follow some rule book she’d tossed out on day one.

Your rules.

And she felt like the biggest idiot. “We accomplished so much today, more than I’d thought, and I love the lighting design for the grove. Thank you. Wonderful surprise.”

She could not shut up. “I better get going. Lots to do. Sorry. Sorry.” She practically bolted.

“Jay, let’s talk about this.”

“No need,” she said, smile stretched out probably clownishly. “See you tomorrow to plant more olive trees.” As long as she hadn’t scared him away for good. “I’m going to wait at least another week to plant the lavender just in case there’s another frost.”

Why was she still talking?

“Still up to head over to Mount Holly for a scavenger hunt?”

Sitting next to Storm in his truck. Being close to him, but not really with him? No. Not one bit. But fear didn’t breed success. She valued his opinion, truck and his ability to help her carry things. She turned around. Made two fists at her sides. She could keep her cool. She was a professional.

“Definitely. Whatever time works into your schedule. Good night, Storm.”

*

If Jessica hadanticipated that driving to Mount Holly with Storm in his truck would be awkward, she was wrong. The next morning, she approached him like he was one of the feral cats—cautiously, nervously, but determined to exude confidence.

He was working—spreading wheelbarrows full of sandy-colored pea gravel in the olive grove.

He straightened as she strode up, two lattes—doctored with real caramel syrup and almond milk—in hand.

She’d learned he couldn’t tolerate dairy—something he’d blushed when admitting—and somehow that physical weakness was endearing. She’d even gone so far as to look online for new dairy-free recipes and had experimented with different milk alternatives when making lunch for Storm, herself and whatever crew he had each day. Last night when she and her sisters had looked through theSouthern Love Spellsbook for finger food ideas for the party, Jessica had vetoed a few that were particularly cheesy.

When pressed why, she’d shared Storm’s food sensitivity, and instead of her sisters teasing her about knowing Storm’s food issues, they’d either nixed the dairy recipes or vowed to have an alternative. Chloe in a burst of practical problem-solving Jessica hadn’t suspected, said they could have cute ingredient tags on what she was calling ‘a grazing board,’ after she’d seen beautiful images on Instagram by an Indian chef based in New Delhi.

“Thank you.” Storm took the latte.

His smile made her melt a little though she’d been bracing herself for this hello—would he be distant? Could she act normally?

He took a sip. “Coconut milk?”

“You have a good palate.” She was a little embarrassed to be caught out experimenting with her caramel sauce recipe for the lattes he loved. “Perhaps you can abandon all this sweaty manual outdoor labor and become a sommelier wearing a suit while you swan around five-star events and vineyards.”

He laughed. “I love sweaty, manual, outdoor labor.” He patted his taut stomach. “Now that I’m thirty, I’m going to have to work harder to keep in shape. Swilling, spitting and opining on wine wouldn’t get me there.”

Even the fact that he knew what a somm did was surprising, but then she wanted to kick herself for assuming anything about Storm or his life.

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