hands down my jean-clad thighs. The last thing I wanted to think about in the world was what could have happened if he hadn’t been there. “I’m not the type of person who thinks about what could have happened, Jonah. You were there. You saved my life. The alternative is horrifying so it’s best not to think about it.” I reached for his hand which was resting on his thigh and covered it with my own. “Let’s just move on. Instead, how about we decide what to eat. My treat!”
He brought my hand up to his mouth and did something no man had ever done before. He kissed the back of my hand and smiled. I felt his lips shift against my hand, and I shivered in response.
“Sweetheart, it’s never going to be your treat. We’ve already had this discussion. But I do actually have plans for dinner. You can come with or…” His lips tightened and he brought my hand back down to his thigh. “I can drop you with Agent Russell.”
I laughed out loud. I laughed so hard and for so long my eyes watered.
“What’s so funny?” His pretty, dark eyebrows were furrowed, his facial expression set at concerned.
“You. You’re what’s funny. You don’t trust me with your partner.”
“He’s the only one I trust you with, actually. He’d die to keep you safe,” he affirmed.
I shook my head. “That’s not what I meant. You’re worried he’ll hit on me.”
“Not worried, no. It’s a guarantee he’ll hit on you. Repeatedly, the bastard.” His words were stiff, and he adjusted in his seat as if he were suddenly uncomfortable.
I covered my mouth trying not to chuckle. “Do you think I’d be interested in him? After an incredible day with you? Complete with churro-and-ferris-wheel-kisses aplenty.”
His jaw tightened and I focused on the little muscle in his cheek that seemed to tick there. “We don’t know one another that well,” he admitted. “I can’t be sure exactly how you’d respond.”
“Still. That would be a super bitchy move to fall over myself for one guy and then turn around and do the same with his partner?” I scrunched up my nose. “What kind of woman would do that? My sisters and I have a super fat unbreakable pact that we all made. We’d never, ever go for the same guy. Second, the biggest deal breaker of all, you are never, ever allowed to date one of your sisters’ exes. Think of how awkward that would be. To have to see your ex at a family function.” I made a gagging sound. “No way, Jose. Not happening. And it never has. You just don’t go there.”
“Yeah, right. You just don’t go there,” he murmured sadly. “Unfortunately, Simone, not all people think like you.”
“And you don’t trust your partner not to screw you over like that?”
He shook his head. “No, I do. Mostly. Let’s just say, I’ve been fucked over royally by people who meant everything to me.”
I figured it was time to lighten the heavy in the car. “Well, that sucks. I’m sorry you’ve been hurt. So, in answer to your original question, if I’m not going to be in the way, I’d be happy to tag along with you.” My belly took that moment to growl. “As long as we’re going to eat.” I smiled wide and covered my belly with my hand.
He chuckled and hit the blinker taking us off the freeway and closer to Oak Park where I grew up in Kerrighan House.
I watched the landscape as he drove into a pretty, older neighborhood, very much like my mother’s. Though Kerrighan house was huge, these were moderate sized with nicely kept yards and long driveways. Each house had a deep span of grass from the curb to the house. The house we stopped in front of was one story with half of it covered in white horizontal paneling and the bottom half faced with old brick. There were two big pots out front bursting with foliage and purple flowers poking out the center.
Through the big rectangular picture window at the front of the house, I could see a soft yellow glow inside. The front door was painted a deep navy and had a brass knocker in the center. I waited until Jonah folded out of the driver’s side and came around to open the door and help me out of the car.
“Such a gentleman,” I purred and winked.
“Yeah well, my ma’s probably watching through the window, and she’d have a hernia