Page 17 of Coming Home

The women leaped to their feet, dancing joyfully, hugging one another. Competitive as Jackson was, he didn’t mind this loss in the least.

“What should we ask for as winners?” Willow asked her teammates.

“Leave it to me,” Ainsley said, brimming with confidence. “I’ll come up with something fantastic.”

“Maybe something with chocolate in it?” Gage asked hopefully.

Ainsley shook her head. “No, because that would be like a victory for you, chocoholic that you are. And it certainly won’t be cannolis.” She glanced to Jackson. “Those are Carter’s favorites.”

Tenley said, “Time to get this cleaned up.”

Everyone swung into action, clearing plates and bringing them to the kitchen. Jackson glanced at his watch and saw it was only ten till nine. Surprised filled him. In L.A., a night out would just be getting started. Still, they had enjoyed an amazingly good dinner, filled with wonderful conversation, and had played an entire game of Pictionary.

He took his wine glass and plate into the kitchen, where he overheard the women once more complimenting Tenley on how the remodel of her kitchen had turned out.

“Oh, I didn’t even show you everything else downstairs,” their hostess said.

“It’s late,” Gage said. “I’ll look at the new stuff next time.”

Jackson was interested in hiring Gage to train him and said, “Let me walk out with you.”

They stepped into the cool Oregon night, and as he inhaled deeply, Jackson could smell the sea, something he had missed in the smog of L.A.

As they moved toward Gage’s truck, Jackson said, “I run to keep in shape, but I may want to add something to that now that I’ll have more time for exercise. Willow said you do one-on-one sessions, as well as group classes.”

“I would need to spend a little time with you,” Gage said. “Talk over what you’ve done in the past. What your fitness level is like now. Learn what goals you might have for yourself now and in the future.” He paused. “Saturdays are my busiest day in my business. A lot of weekend warriors. In fact, I get up and run at four myself.”

“That’s usually the time I run, as well,” Jackson told the former Navy SEAL.

“Then let’s run together tomorrow morning,” Gage suggested. “I’ll meet you at Boo’s. We can run along the beach.”

“I’ll be waiting outside on the porch.” Jackson offered his hand. “It was good meeting you, Gage. And thanks for your service to our country.”

Gage’s smile faded. His mouth tightened. “Thank you,” he said brusquely. “See you in the morning.”

Jackson headed toward the house again as everyone else spilled out the front door.

“I see Dylan is in charge of the leftover cupcakes,” he noted.

“Winner take all,” his brother-in-law said with a laugh. “Although with you living with us now, I might be willing to share. Emphasis on might.”

Everyone laughed and started heading toward their cars. Jackson fell into step beside Ainsley.

“I confirmed our reservation for eight,” he told her. “You haven’t texted me yet as to your address.”

She smiled shyly. “You know where to find me. I live above my bakery. If you will come around the back, text me when you get there, and I’ll come down. Still seven-thirty?”

“I will text you when I get there, but Boo raised me to be a gentleman. I will come to your door.”

She laughed. “That will prove to be difficult because the outside door is always locked. I would have to leave my apartment and come down to let you in, then allow you to climb the stairs to my apartment—only to come back down. Let’s save time and not worry about all the up and down, all right?’

“All right,” he agreed. “I’m looking forward to our date, Ainsley.”

She bit her lip, and a surge of desire flared through him. He wanted to sink his teeth into that full bottom lip. He also wanted to do more than that with this woman and told himself he needed to take things slowly for both their sakes. The Cove was a very small town. If the date fell flat, they hopefully could remain friends, chalking romance up as a lost cause.

But if he pushed for too much too fast and they became involved, only to split—it would be awkward to be around one another, especially since Ainsley was such good friends with Willow and a part of this tight-knit group that he was eager to belong to.

She pulled her key card from her purse and unlocked her SUV. Jackson stepped forward and opened the door for her.

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