Sporting (Unleashed Romance #3) - Kylie Gilmore Page 0,53

and, if you’re happy with the terms, go ahead and sign off on them.”

He stands, walks around the desk, and claps a hand on my shoulder. “Chief Robinson. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”

I smile. “Sure does. Thank you, sir.”

He nods and heads out the door.

I look over the contract, sign it, and leave it in his top desk drawer. I look around, bouncing on the balls of my feet. I’m in a good place in my life now—career set, pay bump, dream girl. I can see a future with Jenna here in Summerdale like a dream on the horizon. I just hope she’s on board.

“What do you mean you didn’t tell Sydney?” I ask under my breath. We’re standing behind rows of metal folding chairs for Jenna’s parents’ outdoor wedding. We showed up a little early so she’d have time to talk to her sister, Evie, before the ceremony. Most of the guests have arrived already, except Evie.

“We’ll talk about it later,” Jenna says, wringing her hands together and looking around.

I’m pissed. Jenna didn’t tell Sydney about us last Thursday at ladies’ night because Sydney was mad about some issue with a supplier, and Jenna didn’t think it was the right time. She swore she’d do it this week. Now I find out it still didn’t happen. I can read between the lines—Jenna’s not serious about us. And here I am imagining a rosy future together. Someone serious wouldn’t keep our relationship from their closest friend. I’m tired of sneaking around.

I’m about to say that when she says, “I feel like I’m going to throw up.”

I rub her back. “Okay, just take a deep breath. Evie wants to see you. This is good.”

She grips my hand; hers is ice cold. I back off the whole Sydney thing. Jenna’s having a hard enough time going to her parents’ wedding and reuniting with her sister for the first time in years.

I don’t know Jenna’s parents very well. I was nine when they split up. Her mom worked full time for a computer company. I remember she was blonde and thin like Jenna. I know even less about her dad, but here we are at their wedding. It’s at a historic farmstead with a small lattice canopy draped with fake fall leaves and cobwebs for the ceremony, as well as a black aisle runner. Just beyond the ceremony area is a large old barn with weathered gray siding, the doors wide open. Inside, the barn is filled with tables and flowers for the reception.

Jenna crushes my hand. “I think that’s her. Evie.”

Her sister’s hair is dirty blond, cut just at her jawline, emphasizing the sharp lines of her face. Just like Jenna, she’s tall, both of them wearing a black sleeveless dress. Evie’s brows lift, an uncertain expression on her face as she approaches us. “Jenna?”

Jenna nods and pulls me with her to meet her sister halfway. “Yes. Hi, Evie.”

“It’s just Eve now.”

Jenna nods again, and we stop, standing on a grassy spot a short distance from the ceremony area. “Yes. Sorry. How are you? What brought you all the way out to California?”

She glances at me. “I’m good. I work in TV as a writer on Irreverent.”

“Really? That’s amazing. I’ve seen it a few times. I had no idea.”

Eve ducks her head, smiling. “Yeah, most people don’t pay attention to the writer credits.”

Jenna lets go of my hand and lifts her arms in the air almost like she wants to hug her sister. “Well, congratulations!”

“Thanks. It took a while, but I’m happy with where I’m at. I’d like to sell my feature-length screenplays too. It’s a long shot. TV needs more people.” She looks up at me and squints. “Why do you look so familiar?”

I offer my hand. “Eli Robinson. We were in the same grade at Summerdale Elementary.”

She gasps. “Look at you, all grown up! I remember you were always getting into trouble.”

“And now I’m a cop.”

She looks between me and Jenna. “Wow. I’m blown away. Eli Robinson is a cop, and you’re with Jenna.” She turns to Jenna. “And what do you do?”

Jenna smiles. “I own my own bakery, Summerdale Sweets.”

Eve tilts her head. “That’s a surprise too. I remember you were good at math and science. I couldn’t relate as a kid.”

Jenna nods. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her nod so much. “I worked in IT for a while—computer network systems—until I burned out. I feel good when I bake, and I like bringing that