Page 45 of Wine and Research
“She means they had sex, Jenna,” Faith said, reaching for another mimosa.
Jenna cleared her throat. “I knew what she meant. I’d just hoped, well, that you two were a couple. He looked so happy talking to you. It’s been years since he actually smiled with his eyes, you know?”
Faith nodded. “Yeah. Naomi really did a number on him.”
Elle’s heart rocked in her chest. “Who’s Naomi?”
Damn, the question was out before she’d had a chance to swallow it down.
“His ex-girlfriend,” Jenna replied with a twist to her lips. “She was a journalist who played him along in order to get a good story or two from him.”
Elle’s chest tightened.
How horrible…
“Yeah,” Faith scoffed. “The bitch sent him a Dear John while he was deployed then slinked off to work at a big newspaper in New York City.”
She inhaled as anger heated her blood. How could a person do that?
At least she and Callum had hashed things out before he even signed up for the Navy.
But this Naomi thing started to make sense. No wonder Jeremy had been so opposed to her riding with him and so closed off. Actually, he’d been a jerk.
But wouldn’t that mean he’d been attracted to her from the start?
Elle’s heart did that rocking thing again. That shouldn’t be so shocking, considering her knees had gone weak the first time she’d looked into his gorgeous blue eyes.
What did it all mean?
Nothing, she told herself. And it changed nothing, either.
“So, you’re sure it’s just a combustion thing?” Jenna asked.
“Yeah,” she replied, then blew out a breath. “I’m only here until I get this series written, and he isn’t looking for a relationship because it doesn’t mesh with his job, which is his priority. So, once we each realized neither of us was looking for something permanent—”
Faith smiled. “Combustion happened.”
“Yeah.” Elle nodded.
“Well, regardless of the length of time, I’m just glad you’re both happy,” Jenna said. “Because you’ve been doing nothing but smiling today, and it’s great to see.”
“It’s true,” Faith agreed. “You’ve been grinning all day today, but also yesterday at Gabe’s when I was having lunch with Evie.”
A smile tugged at Elle’s lips now. “Well, he definitely put me in a good mood.”
“Are you going to see him again?” Jenna asked.
“Yeah, tonight, after I get my writing done.” She nodded, rising to her feet. “So, I’d better get going.”
“Don’t forget your cinnamon bun,” Jenna reminded, pushing the box to her. “We finished ours already.”
Elle grabbed the box and smiled. “Thanks. I’ll need the pick-me-up in a few hours.”
“You sure you don’t want to stay and watch the macho show?” Faith asked, nodding toward the men and their blatant display of muscles and brawn.
Her gaze immediately picked out Jeremy and settled on his broad shoulders and fine ass. Heat washed through her again.
“That’s exactly why I need to go. It’s too distracting.” And by “it” she meant Jeremy. “Thanks for the mocha.”
