“I take it as a good sign that you’re giving it some thought instead of immediately popping out a ‘yes,’ which I half expected you to do.”
“Okay, here’s your answer.” Her phone buzzed with an incoming text. She pulled it out of her pocket, read it, and smiled. “It’s from Jake. He wants to know if you made me breakfast and if I ate it. I think I’ll text him back and tell him you tried to feed me an omelet with broccoli and green peppers.”
Jamie laughed and grabbed her phone. “Jake’s the cook, not me.” He typed some words and handed it back. “Send it,” he said.
She read his message. Saint could give you lessons on cooking for me. I think I’m in love with him. “Oh, Lord.” She grinned. “You dare me?”
“It’ll drive him crazy. His mom was a chef before she retired, and he prides himself on his cooking skills.”
“I didn’t know that.” Why hadn’t she? What else didn’t she know about him? “Here goes nothing then.” She pushed “Send.” What she wouldn’t give to see Jake’s face when he read it. Would he get a pang of jealousy? He’d know it was a joke but, still, if he felt something for her it should bother him that Jamie was with her instead of him.
She slipped the phone into her pocket. “Okay, back to my answer. I don’t love him, but I think I could. I like him a lot though, and I really believe if he met the right woman he could change. That could be just wishful thinking and he could end up hurting me, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
“The boss won’t be happy if you and Jake hook up, but it’s your life and you’re all grown-up now, able to make your own decisions. I say go for it. Buchanan needs his life turned upside down.” He stood and collected their cups. “So, what’s the plan for today?”
“I have classes from ten to four, then I need to make arrangements to clean out my apartment. Hopefully, I can salvage a few things.”
“If we leave in thirty minutes, we’ll have time to stop for breakfast.”
She glanced at the clock. “Great, I’m hungry all of a sudden.”
When she got out of the shower her phone beeped. Another text from Jake. She read it and burst into laughter. You won’t be happy with Saint. His pecker’s only an inch long. Mine on the other hand . . .
Maybe he was jealous. After considering her reply, she texted him back. So you claim. I wouldn’t know since you left without even saying good-bye, much less showing me your goods.
Jake finished his breakfast and glanced at the bill. His phone buzzed, and he read Maria’s response. She wasn’t happy with him. Like that was a surprise. So what if it’d been five in the morning? He should have told her he had been ordered home.
Outside of the diner he stared back down the road he’d just traveled. He was half tempted to turn around and go back. It would mean the loss of his job, but there were other places he could work. Of course, he’d have to move and then he’d never see her.
Disappearing from her life would probably be the best thing he could do for her. It would sure as hell make the boss happy. With a sigh, he turned the car in the direction of home—only a few miles away. He was feeling rather selfish where Maria was concerned, and until he figured out just what he wanted from her, he’d best not make Kincaid any madder.
She had better be kidding about thinking she was in love with Saint. The man would make a perfect husband, but he’d bore her within a month. Maria was all fire and passion. She’d burn through Saint so fast he wouldn’t know what hit him.
She had a little more than a week of school left, which meant Saint would be glued to her until it was time for her to come home. What if she did start to fall for him? Jake clinched his teeth. He should be with her, protecting her. What if Fortunada somehow found her?
He pulled into his driveway and turned off the car. Snatching his phone out of his pocket, he called Saint.
“I’ve asked her to marry me, and she said yes,” Saint said in greeting.
The man wasn’t as funny as he believed. “I already told her your pecker’s only an inch long, so I know you’re lying.”
“Ah, but it grows to an amazing length for her.”
“Shut up, Saint.”
“The girl’s getting to you. Never thought I’d see the day. So, what’s up? You home?”
“Just pulled into the driveway. I wanted to make sure you’re not letting her out of your sight and that you’re keeping an eye out for Fortunada.”