Page 17 of Fixing Up My Love Life

His hands are warm on my leg, but it’s the heat in his eyes that sends a flush racing up my neck. I feel it everywhere. A buzzing just beneath the surface.

He leans forward.

It’s slow. Intentional.

One hand moves to the edge of the couch, steadying himself while the other brushes my knee. Jack’s breath fans across my cheek, warm and careful. My eyes begin to close on instinct, heart pounding so loudly I’m sure he can hear it.

He’s close. So close.

His cologne wraps around me, warm and familiar.There’s a spark in his gaze, a warmth that wasn’t there a moment ago. His lips part, just a little. My hand rises, trembling, drawn toward his chest.

This is happening.

And then?—

My phone rings, the shrill sound shattering the moment like glass.

I gasp and jerk back, breath catching in my throat. Jack pulls away, blinking hard, the spell broken too fast.

“It’s Lucas,” I say, fumbling for the phone. “I should probably take this.”

He nods, standing. “Yeah. Sure.”

The moment clings to me, stubborn and unfinished.

“Hey, sis,” Lucas says when I answer. “Anabelle and I just got into town. I want to show her your boutique. You around?”

“I can be. Want to grab ice cream first?”

“The Sugar Cone by the Sea?”

“I’ll be there in fifteen.” I hit mute and glance at Jack. He’s standing a few feet away now, arms folded, jaw tight.

“Want to come?” I ask.

He shrugs, casual. Too casual. “We’re done for today, right? And I wouldn’t mind seeing your brother again. Does he know I’m working on the house?”

“Yes. Grandma told him.” Lucas hadn’t said much, but that wasn’t unusual. He keeps things close to the chest.

“You there, Hazel?”

Unmuting the phone, I say, “Yeah. See you soon.”

I hang up, and Jack watching me, one brow raised.

“What?” I ask.

“You’re really okay letting me back into your life like this?”

My cheeks warm, but I lift a shoulder. “You’re not a stranger.”

“But we have history.”

“We do.” The words taste bittersweet. “But we have a job to do.”

And I need to remember that. I need to keep things professional.

Lucas and Anabelle arrive at the creamery hand in hand. Her sundress flutters in the sea breeze, and she greets mewith a warm hug.

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