Some Bright Someday (Maple Valley #2) - Melissa Tagg Page 0,62
do happen here. Remember Mara’s stalker? The former Everwood owner’s disappearance? And you’ve got kids living here now. I’m just saying, for the sake of safety, you should see if you can get it fixed. Or install a new one.”
Her look turned to one of exasperation. “And when exactly should I do that, Lucas? Because between keeping three children alive and running a newspaper, I’m so lousy with free time. Do you realize I’m basically a single parent right now? Except other parents get eased into this, you know? They have one kid at a time and best-case scenario, there’s two adults involved.”
Her robe’s belt had come loose during her rant and it hung open now to reveal her pajama top buttoned crookedly. But no way did he plan to point that out.
“And don’t bring up parents of triplets. Because I Googled it on my phone before I conked out last night. I know the stats. One in a thousand. This is a one-in-a-thousand situation I’ve found myself in, only I didn’t have nine months to prepare.”
Shoot, she was in a mood tonight. He liked it. Did she realize she’d grabbed ahold of his arm? Practically had a death grip. And now was really not the time to be enjoying how close she stood to him. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“You didn’t.” She flung herself away from him and swiped the diaper Cade must’ve pulled off earlier from the floor. “Anyway, I’m glad you’re here because I have questions for you.”
Great, here it came. He took a drink of pop just to stall whatever was about to come next. He’d had a feeling last night that his explanation for his teammates’ sudden presence in Iowa was lame and unconvincing. Or worse, had Sam spilled what Lucas had told him the other day? Did Jenessa already know about Bridgewell and—
“Why don’t you ever go on dates?”
He nearly choked on his pop. “What?”
“I’ve known you three years and I’ve never once heard you talk about your love life.” She marched to the kitchen and tossed the diaper into the garbage can.
“My love life?”
“But maybe you’ve had one all this time. It’d be just like you.” She turned to face him, her expression somewhere between curious and accusatory. “Is it that girl from last night? The one who hugged you, I mean. Not the pregnant one. Oh my goodness, I hope it’s not—”
“Geez, Jen, no. Mariana’s happily married. Court’s just a pal.” He didn’t know whether to laugh or scowl. “And what gives you the right to talk? You never go on dates either.” Not since he’d known her anyway. He knew there was some guy from high school she’d been with for most of her twenties, but she rarely mentioned him. Certainly didn’t seem to miss him.
“How do you know?” She crossed her arms. “I went on a date with Sam once.”
He should’ve known not to take another drink. Pop spewed from his mouth. “Don’t believe it.”
She wrinkled her nose at the splatters that had landed on her pajama top. “I did. How’d you think we met?”
“I assumed you accosted him in some place of business like you did me.”
“No, someone set us up and it was awful and awkward and I hated every minute. That is, until Sam paid the bill and looked me straight in the eye and said, ‘This wasn’t great. Let’s never do it again.’ And a friendship was born.” She cinched her robe over the pop stain. “And I did not accost you.”
“I think I should go before this conversation takes any more inexplicably strange turns.” He started moving backward toward the door.
She waved her arm. “Go on. Avoid me and my questions.”
“I’m not avoiding you.”
“You’re practically running to the door.”
Was it weird that this argumentative version of Jen might be his favorite version? “Just so you know, my friends are staying through tomorrow and we’re going to do some training with Noah at a gym in Ames. I’m telling you so that you know in advance I’m not avoiding you. I’m just being a good friend and mentor.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.” He paused. “But we need to go over landscaping plans sometime. The guys are leaving Tuesday afternoon. You got time Tuesday night?” He stepped outside.
“Maybe.”
“Yes or no, Jen.”
“Okay. Whatever. Sure. It’s a date.”
Her eyes widened at that last part and he opened his mouth to retort before she could take it back.
But she closed the door in his face.
Which was probably a good thing considering the dorky