Sporting (Unleashed Romance #3) - Kylie Gilmore Page 0,48

much I screwed up.

I’m not calling Eli because that would only imply I want more. I ended it; I never should’ve been with him again. That’s the last time. I know when to stop.

Eli

I’m not chasing Jenna. The morning after our hookup, I left for my early shift at work and gave her a kiss goodbye. No sweet words. No promises. She has to meet me halfway.

Only she doesn’t.

It’s now been four days. After my usual morning workout in my home gym, I shower and flop down on the living room sofa. I don’t know why this is bugging me so much. We had a good time. I should just be happy with what we had—temporary pleasure between two people who broke up. What guy wouldn’t like that easy pleasure?

Me. I don’t like it.

I leap off the sofa. I have too much restless energy, and I don’t have work until tonight. I need to go for a run and not think about Jenna.

I lace up my sneakers. My schedule changes according to the chief’s schedule. When I’m chief, I’ll hire someone to work around my schedule.

I go for a long run with Lucy, shower, and flop down on my sofa again. Caleb’s out, meeting up with some friends in the city. The house feels eerily quiet. Lucy lies at my feet, tuckered out from our run. I let out a breath. I don’t know how I still have all this energy.

It’s not quite lunchtime, but what the hell. I look at Lucy. “There’s nothing that says I can’t stop at Summerdale Sweets for a snack just like any other citizen, right?”

Lucy cocks her head and answers in the affirmative with her throaty incomprehensible sounds.

Good enough. I take her out for a pee break, retrieve her rubber figure-eight chew toy, and set it at her feet. If I’m gone too long, she’ll chew, so I always leave her with an acceptable chew thing. She’s much better now that she’s thirteen months. Her puppy teething was a nightmare for my shoes, remote controls, and, once, a throw pillow.

I make the short drive to the bakery. I don’t see any customers inside. I get out of the Mustang and resist running my fingers through my hair. It’s not my hair that’s the problem. I’m not exactly sure what is—too much history on my part, too much baggage on her part—all I know is that there’s something special between us. I’m experienced enough to know that much.

I lean down to the driver’s side mirror and check my look. I’m not chasing. This is a friendly visit. After all, we’re bound to run into each other at some point. We live in the same small town and know a lot of the same people. Never mind that I managed to avoid her for a year.

I stride toward the door and open it. The bell jingles, announcing my arrival. I stop just inside the door, momentarily frozen as our eyes meet. She’s so beautiful. Tall and slender, her blond hair just brushing her shoulders. Her apron is tied snugly, emphasizing her narrow waist. The blood rushes through my veins.

“Eli,” she says softly.

“Hi, I was just out for a run, and your shop was on my route.” She should know I’m not chasing her. I legitimately worked up an appetite.

“Don’t need an excuse to treat yourself,” she says brightly. “What can I get you?”

Right. I step closer, feigning interest in the glass case of baked goods. “What do you recommend?”

“You might like the peanut butter cookies. They’re not super sweet.”

Her tone is bland, her expression neutral. Is she covering up real feeling for me, or does she just want me to leave?

A chime goes off, and she turns, heading toward the back door of her shop. A delivery guy wearing a brown uniform steps inside with two large boxes. He’s in his twenties, dark skin, buff with muscle. His slow smile aimed at Jenna tells me he’s into her. His husky voice confirms it. “Hey, Jenna, got your delivery.”

“You know where to put it, Trey,” she responds in a flirty voice full of innuendo.

Jealousy spikes through me, and I never get jealous. I turn away, embarrassed over it. I don’t have a claim to her. Not anymore.

He chuckles low and goes to a room in the back of the shop.

Jenna follows him, standing in the doorway, flirting some more. I can’t make out what they’re saying, but her hand’s on her hip.

Trey brushes past her in the