"Well, you know how it is, any excuse to meet a sexy lady," Trenton answered and Jennifer felt her mouth drop open. No one ever referred to her as sexy, and she hated to admit his words made her glow a bit.
"You look familiar, and before you think that's some cheesy line, it's not. You really do look familiar," Lucas said. She had to clear her throat before she was able to speak clearly.
"I work for you, Mr. Anderson, or well I did until my promotion today. My name is Jennifer," she finally responded.
"That's right, I'm sorry. I'm so used to seeing everyone in the offices that out in a park setting throws me off," he told her with a heart-stopping grin.
"No problem, it took me a moment to recognize you, as well," she said with a genuine smile. He was an easy man to talk to, making her feel comfortable, unlike his companion.
"Hey, quit flirting - you're a married man," Trenton growled at Lucas. Jennifer felt her face flame in embarrassment.
"I … I wasn't flirting. I think your wife is wonderful," she stammered and sent a glare toward Trenton.
"Ignore him, Jennifer. He's just jealous because you obviously have better taste than to talk to an ogre like him," Lucas said with the same friendly smile. She was thankful for his words, because her embarrassment eased.
"Whatever, Lucas. You're lucky you're a married man, or I'd prove to you later all the ladies wouldn't even know you existed when we walked into a room together," Trenton said.
Jennifer watched the two of them rib each other and knew beyond a shadow of a doubt all the women in any room would be tripping over themselves to get to either of them. She was grateful she was too busy for relationships or she may have stood in line with them.
"I am sorry about hitting you with the Frisbee. Why don't you give me your number so I can call and make sure you're okay, later," Trenton said with the most seductive smile she'd ever witnessed. She had to call on some will-power to deny him.
"I'll be fine, I promise. I've to leave, so you both have a great time," she said, blowing him off. She got up and walked to the other side of the playground, collected her niece, and quickly departed. She was angry with the heat she felt in her cheeks, and the way he'd made her stomach quiver. She had zero time for men and though a part of her wished she could've flirted back, she knew she'd done the right thing. Besides, she'd never see him again, anyway.
Trenton watched her walk away in a bit of shock. He'd never before been turned down by a female. He wasn't sure he liked the feeling. He usually had women stuffing their numbers in any available pocket he had, and yet the little spit-fire of a woman he found both breathtaking and irritating at the same time, completely ignored him and walked away without so much as a backward glance.
"Oh, you just got burned badly, Cousin. I guess Seattle women have better taste than those in Chicago."
"She has me intrigued. I'd have to chase her down, but luckily she works for your company so I'll be able to find her," Trenton said, relishing her reaction when he did come in contact with her again.
"She said she was promoted and no longer worked for me. Heck, we didn't get her last name to even be able to find her," Lucas said.
"Oh, I'll find her alright. It's been a long time since a woman has peaked my interest like that," Trenton said. Lucas looked at his cousin with a huge grin. He knew that look well, as he and his brothers had all fought tooth and nail to hold onto their bachelorhood, only to end up chasing down their wives. His cousin was on the prowl, and Lucas almost felt sympathy for the mysterious Jennifer.
"Okay, well enough mooning over the girl, we're supposed to be having fun. You have to be back to work soon enough and we haven't spent nearly enough time together the last several years," Lucas told him. Trenton agreed, and they got back into their game. But the mysterious Jennifer stayed on his mind and Lucas kicked his butt all over the field. He was grateful when his brother Max showed up to help him out.
Chapter Two
Jennifer was filled with nervous excitement as she rode the elevator to the twenty-fourth floor. She had loved the week off with her niece. It had been good for both of them. Molly was finally figuring out Jennifer wasn't going to leave her. They had looked through family albums for the first time since her mom and dad passed, and Molly looked at them with smiles, instead of tears.
They were making good progress and Jennifer knew before long they'd help each other heal. She'd forever miss her sister, just as she knew Molly would miss her mom, but the two of them had each other and that was their new focus. It was something giving them hope. Family was the most important thing, and as long as they could stay together, everything would work out.