How to Romance a Stranger by Kirk Cindy

Author:Kirk, Cindy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Waverly House
Published: 2020-01-06T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

“Did you really think I was serious?” Jack asked Lexi as she pulled onto the drive leading to Wildwoods.

“Weren’t you?” The tight clench to her jaw was at odds with her casual tone.

“For a minute or two,” Jack grudgingly admitted. He wasn’t proud that for those few moments he’d been tempted to disregard Travis’s feelings and do what was best for him. “But your friends have been great. I wouldn’t want to hurt any of them.”

Lexi hit the button for the garage door. While waiting for it to open, she studied Jack’s profile. “You obviously caught the looks Travis was sending you.”

“How could I miss them?” Jack chuckled, then sobered. “I understand where he was coming from. I wouldn’t want him moving in with you.”

His gaze met hers. Though the garage door was now fully opened, she made no move to pull the station wagon inside.

“I hope you understand why I can’t offer my place,” she said in a quiet tone. “It’s not that I wouldn’t enjoy having you around. It’s just that—”

“It wouldn’t be a good idea with a child in the house.” Jack smiled at the look of surprise that flashed in her eyes. “What? You don’t think I can be sensitive to all the nuances of this situation?”

“No, I—”

“You can’t honestly think I care so little about you.” Without Jack quite realizing how it had happened, the lighthearted teasing was gone, replaced by something deeper, something he didn’t want to analyze too closely. He gave in to an impulse and touched her face. “I meant what I said the other day. I never want to do anything to hurt you or Addie.”

She leaned her head into his caress and his heart filled with an emotion that was new, yet at the same time familiar.

“Mommy?” a sleepy voice sounded from the backseat.

Jack dropped his hand and pulled back.

“Are we home?” Addie straightened in the backseat, not bothering to cover her yawn.

“Yes, we are.” Lexi pulled into the darkened garage and flicked off the ignition. “I should never have kept you out so late on a school night.”

“’s okay, Mommy.” Addie yawned again. “We don’t have much going on tomorrow except for a math test.”

Jack stifled a grin at Lexi’s groan.

“I’ve got an idea.” He twisted in his seat so he could see both Addie and Lexi. “How about I get up early and eat breakfast with Addie? That way I can help her review for the test before the school bus comes.”

“Cool,” Addie said, then a frown furrowed her brow. “Do you remember how to do fractions?”

“If I don’t, you can teach me.” Jack shot the girl a wink.

Addie giggled and shifted her gaze to her mother. “See, Mommy. It’s going to be okay. Jack’s going to help me study.”

“I heard that.” When Lexi shifted her gaze to meet his, the depth of emotion in her eyes surprised him. “Thank you.”

Jack didn’t understand the big deal. He certainly had the time. Besides, he liked Addie and wanted her to do her best on the test.

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