Page 30 of Snowed In With the Mountain Man
But then again, she already knew. It would smell like peppermint and leather and whatever else it was that made up that smell that was so uniquely JJ.
“You have nights like this in New York?” His question called her out of her thoughts, and she blinked in surprise.
“New York? Uh… no. At least, not often. I’m usually too busy with work or work-related events…” She trailed off as she realized how pathetic that must sound to a guy like him. He wouldn’t think it admirable and noble that she worked herself to the bone. Some people would—some did—but not this guy.
For better or for worse, most of her free time at home was spent recovering from work in her studio apartment, or checking up on her sisters, or going out with some of her work friends whose interests were more in line with wine bars and cultural events than sports bars and football games.
She looked away from his searching gaze. He wanted to know about her life in the city, but she was reluctant to admit that 99 percent of it was based around her job. Even her social life.
“My ex and I used to go to bars,” she blurted. “We’d take turns—music one week, sports the next.”
Ugh, the mention of Brady made her feel cold all over. And she couldn’t bring herself to look at JJ to see his reaction.
To say Brady hadn’t made a good impression on Rose’s new family would be an understatement. He’d knocked up the second youngest O’Sullivan sister and left her stranded. There was no excusing that.
And Dahlia had no urge to try. But there was a part of her that itched to explain. To JJ, to Rose—tosomeone. It hadn’t all been bad. She wasn’t the worst judge of character. Their breakup had been her fault. She’d been the one who couldn’t commit.
She’d been so afraid of turning out like their mother—a woman whose life had ended when her husband left to the point that she couldn’t even care for her own children.
So no, Brady wasn’t a prince, but at least he’d been willing to try when they were a couple. She’d been the one who’d walked away.
She’d been the one to realize that she just wasn’t cut out for a long-term relationship.
“You know where we are if you want to hang out again,” JJ murmured.
She swallowed down a thick wave of gratitude.
“I like your friends.” She pointed a thumb over her shoulder, hearing strains of their laughter reach her from outside.
JJ was grinning when she glanced up. “I’m pretty sure they’re both head over heels for you.”
She choked on a shocked laugh. “No way.”
“Yes way. Poor Boone’s definitely infatuated with the city slicker who can give as good as she gets.”
She laughed outright at that description. “Yeah, well… he’s young.”
And adorable. He wasn’t a child but not quite a grown man. But with his friendly grin and charming smile, she had no doubt he’d have his pick of ladies.
“He’ll get over it,” she added.
JJ chuckled, his smile knowing. “What about Cody?”
She rolled her eyes. Now he was just teasing. Cody had treated her like a sister or a friend, nothing more. “I’m sure Cody has plenty of girlfriends. He doesn’t need to pine over”—she used air quotes to make him laugh—“the ‘city slicker.’”
JJ didn’t try to deny it.
Cody was just as good-looking as his older brother Kit but without the cocky swagger. Which, to her mind, made him that much more attractive. Between the two of them and JJ, she had a feeling she’d just spent the evening with the town’s most eligible bachelors.
Her smile faltered as JJ moved closer.
“What’s with that frown?” he asked.
She shook her head, trying to shake off the thought as well. She didn’t care who Cody and Boone hooked up with, but the thought of JJ being sought after by all the pretty young women in this town…
His laugh was low and soothing to her nerves. “You look like you just bit down on a lemon. What’s up?”
She shook her head again, and this time she could feel her cheeks burning. What was she doing getting jealous over unknown, faceless women?
