Page 93 of Forbidden Kisses
“Male company,” her mother clarified. “I love you, but you can come back tomorrow.”
Grace’s mouth dropped. “You’re on a date?”
Her mom shoved her hands on her hips. “You’re not the only one with secret lovers. Like mother like daughter.”
Grace covered her ears. “Mom!” She stepped away from the front door.
Her mom looked pleased with herself. “Speaking of secret lovers, you need to make up with yours. You were much more easygoing when you were getting some.”
Grace nearly stumbled down the ramp. She noticed the pale blue bicycle leaning against the railing now, guessing it belonged to her mother’s new beau. Maybe her male friend was also responsible for the renovations. Grace didn’t have time to ask right now, though. She just wanted to get out of here. “That’s not up for discussion, Mom. I’ll come back tomorrow.”
Her mother nodded. “And why don’t you call first before you do.”
“Good idea.” Grace slunk back into her driver’s seat and started the engine. She shuddered at the thought of her mom and the mystery man inside. Then she smiled to herself.Good for her.Her mother deserved whatever was going on in there, which Grace absolutely did not want to know about. Grace drove her car back out of the driveway. One of the Donner women deserved to be happy with a man. Apparently that wouldn’t be Grace. She and Jack were over and he was it for her. There was no one else. There never had been.
She glanced at the invitation for the grand opening in her passenger seat. If she and Jack couldn’t be more, she’d settled for being friendly. She was proud of him for going after his dream of opening a new business and she wanted to be there to support him.
So it was decided. She’d go. She’d be friendly and try to forget how much she loved him.
And from now on, she’d always call before visiting her mom.
—
Jack put the final nail in the small boat he’d been building over the last couple of months. It could only seat two people who didn’t mind cozying up—those two people being him and Grace.
If his plan worked.
Standing back, he admired what he’d created. Satisfaction ran through him, thick and sweet like honey.
“She’s a beauty,” Noah said, coming up behind him. Jack hadn’t even heard him drive up—too engrossed in his work.
“Yeah. Thanks. I’ve been working on it on the side. Might take her out later to see if she can handle the water.”
Noah pulled a Mountain Dew to his mouth and drank. When he brought it back down, he shook his head. “So Grace’s heart didn’t turn to mush over us fixing up her mother’s place?”
Jack looked over. “That’s not why we helped Tammy. Tammy needed those things done and we took care of it. Out of the goodness of our hearts,” he added. “Thanks for helping, by the way.”
“Of course, bro.” Noah grinned. “Tammy wasn’t the monster I’d thought she was. She was actually pretty nice.”
A smile twitched on Jack’s lips. “Bunch of stubborn brothers we are. Only took us fifteen years to forgive her. We must be growing up.”
Noah gave his head a hard shake. “Never!” he quipped playfully. “So, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be groveling at Grace’s feet or something? Thought you wanted her back.”
“I do.”
“So what’s the problem? You still scared I’m going to kick your ass for dating my sis?”
Jack stepped up to the boat and ran his hand over the smooth wood as he talked to his brother. “I was never scared of having to kick your ass back.”
Noah laughed. “Good. You’re two of my favorite people. You deserve each other.”
“I’m glad you feel that way, because I’m going to need your help getting her back.”
Noah set his Mountain Dew down. “First you ask me to do hard labor for an ex-stepmother I used to loathe and now you want help getting back with my sis?”
Jack didn’t cringe when Noah referred to Grace as his sister anymore. It was weird, yeah, but it didn’t matter. Grace deserved a brother. She also deserved a man who was willing to fight for her, and that man was Jack.
“I invited her to the grand opening. I’m hoping she’ll come, but I wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t want to. Do you think you can ask Krista to help make sure she shows up?”
