Page 31 of A Whisper of Summer Magic

Not a good sign, but she drank him in. He looked so dang tasty leaning against the doorjamb wearing a George Strait concert T-shirt from a recent tour and Levi jeans that had seen a lot more summers than the T-shirt. Classic.

“You nearly caused your baby mama—not—to burn her delicate Southern belle skin.” She wished her heart would settle into a normal beat instead of careering around her chest like she was drunk. “And you saw that concert.” She bit back a curse. “I had tickets—even had my outfit picked out, but I got sent to Munich last minute to troubleshoot a merger, so I gave my tickets to Chloe and Jessica.”

“What were you going to wear?”

Somehow, that sounded sexual, and she knew she had to tiptoe around Jackson’s innate charm because he was a flirt, funning with her. She hadn’t had any relationships that were long-term or serious as she’d been utterly focused on her career, money, and making partner. But now that she intended to slow down a little, Jackson posed a new danger. He was young. Flirty. She might be too susceptible to his smile and sexual appeal.

She’d been operating with and around men who were smooth, polished, ambitious, sophisticated sharks.No thanks.

Jackson was… she didn’t really know what he was, but she felt awkward around him. Too aware of her body. And oddly excited. She was accustomed to being in charge, but somehow Jackson seemed to dominate the room and each interaction, always doing the unexpected.

“You really like the shirt,” he noted, his smile widening playfully, and she realized she was staring at him.

Damn, she was still as subtle and awkward as she’d been in middle school.

“Want it?” Jackson peeled off the shirt.

“What are you doing?” she yipped waving her wooden spoon. “Put your shirt back on.”

“Sure?” he drawled, holding it in one hand. “I have vivid memories of the concert. You could have the T-shirt. A little souvenir,” he tempted, his voice whispering to smoke. “Besides, I heard a rumor today.”

“I bet you heard a lot of rumors,” she muttered resentfully, trying and failing to keep her gaze on his face. “I fielded more than a handful of phone calls and texts asking about when we’d become an item.”

“I heard”—he prowled toward her, and Meghan took a step back toward the range, where the two huge pots had yet to bubble to a boil—“that there was some speculation by some lady lawyers who shall politely not be named about a certain part of my anatomy.”

Oh. My. God.

“Nope.” Her voice shot up an octave, and she struggled to draw in a breath deep enough so that she could speak like a normal woman. “No speculation about… about… that.” She swept her hand down her body and scrunched her eyes shut.

“Meghan Maye, you shock me. What part of me are you referring to?”

Oh. My. God.

She should be so much more sophisticated than this. She really should. She had a double bachelor’s from UNC Chapel Hill and a law degree from Duke.

“Maybe a closer visual will help you remember.” Jackson stalked toward her.

“Hey, have you seen my…” Jessica rushed back into the room.

Jackson spun around and Meghan flung the wooden spoon that clattered against the white subway tile backsplash above the farmhouse sink.

“Good aim.” Jessica stalked across the kitchen and retrieved the spoon, washing it first. “Wow, Jackson. Wow. Oh. Wow. Good to see one of our fine first responders is in excellent shape. I hope the city picks up your gym bill. You’ve been working out since the last time I saw you, running around up here naked.”

“I was three.”

“Excuse the interruption. I forgot my tablet, and there it is.” Jessica scooped it off the table and then wiggled her fingers at them. “Carry on. Storm and I should be home in an hour or an hour and a half. I can text first, roomie.”

“No need,” Meghan said stonily, her cheeks on fire.

“This will be good practice if you do move back in full-time.” Jessica was having entirely too much fun. “We’ll need to be respectful of each other’s space and extracurricular activities.”

Jackson laughed and Jessica fist-bumped him.

“Jackson, stay for dinner. I have something I want to discuss with you.”

“What do you have to discuss with Jackson?” Meghan demanded.

“See you two in a few.” Jessica ignored the question and actually winked like she was clever and well versed in the public humiliation of siblings. “And, Meghan, make some biscuits for the jam… if you have the time.Ciao.” She breezed out as quickly as she’d arrived.

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