Take the Chance (Top Shelf Romance #9) - Brittainy Cherry Page 0,292

drink for this.” She and Claire gave their orders and sat back again. “OK. What happened?”

I didn’t even know where to start.

“Is this about the farmer?” Claire’s expression was quizzical. “Jaime told me about him, but last I heard, things were going well.”

“They were.” I took another drink. “But then he must have realized I’m a spoiled rotten city girl who doesn’t care about anyone but herself.”

“Oh, Jesus.” Jaime rolled her eyes and sat forward. “Do I need to remind you of the work you do for free while I am trying to keep the lights on at our office? You’re the most generous person I know, Margot!”

Claire nodded in agreement. “You’re constantly attending charity lunches and volunteering at things. I don’t know how you find the time!”

“OK, so your family has bags of money,” Jaime allowed, “but there’s a reason the hospital has a Lewiston wing and the art museum has a Thurber gallery. It’s because they give so much.”

“And remember last year when I mentioned the fundraiser at my school for that family who lost everything in a fire?” Claire said. “You were the first in line to write a check, and I happen to know it was the biggest one.”

“But it’s all so impersonal,” I complained. “I don’t feel like I’m really doing anything worthwhile except writing checks. And I’ve led this completely sheltered life. I don’t know how to mow a lawn, change a tire, or grill a burger!”

“What the hell difference does that have to do with anything? You’re a good person, Margot.” Jaime reached across the table and touched my wrist. “You’re loving and smart and funny and successful and beautiful.”

I arched one brow at her.

“Well, yes, you’re looking a little ragged at the edges right now,” she conceded, “but any other day, you’re what every woman aspires to be.”

“Then why didn’t he want me?” I closed my eyes and felt tears on my lashes. “Why doesn’t anyone want me?”

“I hope you’re not talking about Tripp,” Jaime said. “You wasted enough time on him. And as for Jack, I don’t know, honey.” Her voice got softer. “Maybe he just wasn’t ready to want you. Maybe he’s not over his wife yet.”

“I guess that could be it. But I don’t get that feeling.” I chewed my lip for a moment. “He talked about loving her, and I have no doubt that losing her broke his heart. But he never said anything like ‘I’ll never get over her.’ Although,” I went on, the corners of my mouth turning down, “he did say he’d never get married again.”

“Why not?” Claire asked.

I sighed. “He said he knew what he had, and it doesn’t happen twice.”

“Maybe he’s crazy.” Claire reached out and patted my arm. “Because I cannot imagine why any man wouldn’t jump at the chance to be with you.”

“Well, he didn’t.” Sighing, I lifted my glass to my lips again. “And it’s got me messed up in the head. I really felt something for him, you guys.”

“So soon?” Jaime asked as the server set their drinks on the table between us.

“Yes. At first I thought it was just a really intense physical thing, but…” I shivered, remembering the night he’d bared his troubled soul. “It was emotional, too. And it felt good, at least to me.”

“So why did he break it off?” Claire wondered.

“Honestly, he didn’t really give me a reason. We had a great day yesterday, and then…” I lowered my voice. “Last night we had sex on the living room floor of his house, where he’d lived with his wife, and it was really intense. Right after that, he suddenly ended things. Said we never should have gotten involved in the first place.”

“Aha. You scared him.” Jaime sounded confident as she sat back. “That’s what I used to do, before Quinn. As long as it was just sex with a guy, I was fine, but if there was any chance of an emotional attachment, I was out of there.”

“You even tried to do it with Quinn,” Claire reminded us.

Jaime nodded. “Totally. And I didn’t have the baggage Jack has. Maybe he just needs some time and distance. Gain a little perspective. That’s what I needed.”

“Maybe,” I said. “But we exchanged some pretty harsh words last night. And I flat out asked him to give me a chance, and he said no.”

“Well, don’t give up. He might surprise you.” Jaime sipped her drink. “And if he doesn’t, it’s his fucking loss, because you’re amazing.”

“And strong.” Claire