Right Kind of Wrong(89)

Well damn. I can’t hate him now that he’s a good guy.

Why must these two supermodel lovebirds make it so freaking impossible to hate them?

He turns to me. “But I apologized to Pixie. I swear. We’re good. And you don’t have to hate me anymore, Jenna, because I’m completely crazy about Kayla.” He points to the stunning blonde beside him, who’s now blushing worse than he was a moment ago, and smiles. “I don’t want to kiss anyone else. Ever.”

Kayla’s lips part. “Aw…”

They exchange a heartfelt look and I’m suddenly a raging sea of sorrow and jealously.

What is happening to me?

“I just wanted to give you another good-morning kiss,” Daren says, pressing his lips to her temple, “before I go to work for the day.”

Looking him over, I realize he’s dressed in a Willow Inn chef’s coat. “You work here?”

He nods proudly. “Ellen just hired me to replace Pixie.”

I nod. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks.” He smiles at Kayla. “I gotta go. Love you!” Turning to me he calls, “Nice seeing you, Jenna,” before disappearing into the dining room.

Kayla turns back to me, her face positively glowing, and smiles. “Sorry about that.”

“Never apologize for being happy.” I smile sincerely, even though I’m still a little jealous of how content her love life seems.

She glances around, probably looking for luggage. “So are you staying at the inn?”

“Yeah. Well, no. I mean, Jack and I stopped in late last night, on our way back from Louisiana.”

“Oh that’s right! You guys were on a road trip. How was it?” She wiggles her eyebrows and I have to bite back a sigh.

She thinks we just went on a romantic getaway, bless her heart.

Bless her heart? WHAT? I don’t say shit like “bless her heart.” Kayla’s prettiness must be getting to me. It’s either that, or the fact that a pair of gunmetal-gray eyes is currently sound asleep upstairs. Alone.

Cold fingers of guilt wring my gut and I nearly choke on my heart, which is somehow lodged in my throat, as I try to answer. “It was good. Fine. It was fine.”

She scans my face, her big blue eyes softening. “I see.”

I clear my throat and she continues, “So things with Daren are going pretty good now. He’s definitely the most interesting thing that’s ever happened to me.” She winks and I throw her a small smile.

When I ran into Kayla a few days ago, I told her that I tolerated Jack because he was so interesting. And I encouraged her to go after Daren for the same reason.

“So tell me, Jenna,” she says, quieting her voice like she knows this is a touchy subject. “Do you still find Jack interesting?”

Oh, God yes. More so than ever before.

But my voice doesn’t seem to be working so I simply nod, the threat of tears burning behind my eyes at what I have in the palm of my hand, what I’m throwing away every minute I’m not confessing how I feel to Jack.

Kayla watches me for a moment, knowing my glossy eyes are more than just the morning sun, and silently leans in to give me a hug.

I hug her back in a desperate way, holding on to this sweet girl who knows nothing about me but cares anyway. Bless her heart, indeed.

Pulling back, I clear my throat again with a laugh. “God, why are you so nice?”

She shrugs with a grin. “It’s my curse, I guess.” A clatter of dishes falling draws her attention back to the dining room. “Shoot. I have to get back to work. I’ll see you around later?”

I nod with a smile and she spins on her heel and scurries back to work, waving to me before disappearing through the dining room door.

Looking around, I see a beautiful lavender field behind the inn and quietly I step outside and suck in a deep breath. The fresh air eases the guilty fingers around my gut. Not much, but enough for me to breathe easier. I inhale again. Much better.

“Good morning!” Ellen says, startling me.

She’s standing to my right, fidgeting with a broken shutter and doesn’t appear to have any clue that I’m going through a small personal crisis.

“Morning.” I smile.

“How did you sleep?” she asks.

It’s hard for me to keep my face under control as the answer to that question invades my mind. I slept well, thanks. Lots of great, hot sex and orgasms with Jack. And oh yeah, I’m pretty sure I fell in love with him even more last night than I was already. Which terrifies me. But I slept fantastic.

“Good,” I say.

Her smile stays put. “Good.”

I like Ellen. She’s forty and single and runs her own business. She’s pretty awesome and somewhat of an inspiration to me. She has the right idea. No man. Just her and her success. It worked for her, right?