blinked and nearly staggered back at the nonexistent blow. I didn’t know why it felt like one in the first place. “You were married?” I asked. “Your parents never mentioned it.”
He grimaced. “I don’t think they liked Susan.”
“So they just ignored the fact you were married? That doesn’t sound like the couple I know.”
He sighed. “They were always nice to her, and there’s even a picture of our wedding in their bedroom in that little nook area.”
“I haven’t ever been in there,” I added.
“It’s Mom’s sanctuary, so there are family photos in there.” He paused. “There’s a photo of your wedding, too.”
I winced, my heart aching. “I have one in my home also.”
“There’s a photo of you around here somewhere. Mom and Dad gave it to me, and I didn’t have the heart to throw it away. It was Jonah, you know?” He looked around as I thought on that more. “I haven’t finished unpacking. Don’t have everything on the walls yet. As I said, I’m starting over. Susan and I didn’t work out. For a lot of reasons. And my parents were right. We didn’t fit, but I tried. Maybe a little too hard. But I’m finally figuring out what I want, and a serious relationship isn’t it.”
I shrugged and looked down at my hands. “Same for me.”
His gaze shot to mine as I looked up. “Really?”
“Really. Not every woman wants marriage and babies and a white picket fence. I can build my own fence if I want to. I can design the best house to live in. Alone. In fact, I already did. I got married too young, and now every time I imagine a wedding or marriage or something like that when I’m part of it, I think of Jonah.”
He flinched. “Damn.”
“Yes. Damn. It’s silly, and it shouldn’t happen, but I don’t know… I don’t know if I ever want anything serious. I love my job, and I’m good at it, and I’m focusing most of my attention on that right now. And my family.” I paused. “And I’ll be honest, I’m not very good at the whole relationship thing anyway.”
“Well, as evidenced by my divorce, neither am I,” he said dryly. He looked at me then, and I didn’t know what else to say. “So, are we saying that we’re going to walk away from this and continue being neighbors who try to be friends? Or what?”
“Or what maybe,” I paused. “I don’t know what I want, Jacob. But I had fun,” I teased.
His eyes lightened. Thankfully. “So did I.” A pause. “Maybe we can try this thing out. You and me. Nothing serious, only friends, finding fun. And perhaps a little peace.”
My heart lightened at that because I did have fun. And I hadn’t been lying to him. I didn’t want anything serious. But the idea of maybe having someone to talk to, someone to be with where it wasn’t just me alone in my bedroom all the time sounded nice.
“Would we ever go out on a date?” I asked, not knowing why I needed to broach the subject.
He frowned, and I winced.
“Okay, no dating.”
He shook his head. “No, but I don’t know the rules for this. I dated a lot in high school and college, but then I found Susan, and we got married. I haven’t dated as an adult with a job and a house. I don’t know how it works.”
That made me laugh. “I don’t know either. I’m pretty much a hermit. The only times I ever go out are with my family and the girls when they get time off. And you’ve seen my brothers, they scare away any potential suitors.”
“They didn’t scare me away.”
I swallowed hard. “No, I think we scared ourselves enough for that.”
That made him laugh. “You’re right. As for dating? I could see us going out to eat, doing something like that. Maybe going to the bar and annoying your brothers.”
I snorted. “Oh, please, you could not handle all of the Montgomerys.”
That made him scowl. “I’m sure I can.”
“Famous last words. However, maybe one night. Who knows? We’ll just keep it breezy.” I laughed. “Or something less clichéd.”
“That we can do.”
He stepped forward, slid his thumb over my lips again, and then leaned down to capture my mouth. I moaned, my hands going to his waist, fingers slipping through his belt loops.
“I should go,” he whispered. “Even though it’s my house, I need to go take a cold shower or something. If I don’t, I’m not going