Watch and Learn by STEPHANIE BOND

Author:STEPHANIE BOND
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Man-Woman Relationships, Contemporary, Romance, General, Florida, Fiction, Voyeurism, Love Stories, Divorced Women, Carpenters
ISBN: 9780373794324
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2008-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

12

AT THE SIGHT of her mother standing in her driveway next door, Gemma’s knees turned to elastic. Her lips were still warm from Chev’s, his hand still on her waist. And even at this distance, she could feel her mother’s searing disapproval.

“I have to go,” she said, pulling away, fumbling with her belt.

“But—”

“I’ll talk to you later.”

Without looking back, Gemma walked stiffly toward her mother.

Phyllipa Jacobs stood holding a casserole caddy and leaning against her car as if she might need it to support her weight. Gemma waved in an attempt to diffuse the openmouthed expression on her mother’s face.

“Mother…what a surprise.” She reached forward for an embrace, but her mother remained immobile.

“Gemma, who is that man? Were you… kissing him?”

Gemma caught her mother’s arm and guided her toward the front door.

“His name is Chev, and he’s fixing up the house next door. I’m…helping him.”

Her mother allowed herself to be hauled up the stairs and onto the porch.

“Helping him do what?”

“Choose architectural details for the renovation.”

“I came to visit because I’m worried about you, and I find you—” she lowered her voice to a harsh whisper “—in the arms of a strange man?”

“We were just talking, Mother.” Gemma worked the key in the lock furiously and pushed open the door.

“What on earth happened to your yard?”

“There’s a rogue peacock in the neighborhood.”

“A rogue…what? Gemma, have you been drinking?”

She sighed. “No, Mother.” But she sure could use a tall one right about now.

After they entered the house, Gemma flipped on lights strategically, once again wishing she’d taken the time to throw out all the items that Jason had said he didn’t want. Now they mocked her, proof of her reluctance to let him go long after he’d made it clear he wanted nothing from her.

“It’s awfully stuffy in here,” Phyllipa remarked.

“The air conditioner is on the blink.”

“You should call someone.”

Gemma tamped down the anger that flared in her chest at her mother’s patronizing tone. “I have. The parts haven’t arrived.” She inhaled for strength and gestured to the casserole. “What did you bring?”

“Lasagna.”

“Oh, nice. Can you stay and eat with me?”

Phyllipa nodded, then frowned at Gemma’s coat suspiciously. “It’s ninety degrees outside. Why on earth are you wearing a coat, dear?”

Gemma forced a shrug. “The weatherman predicted rain.”

Phyllipa squinted. “What kind of panty hose are you wearing?”

“Uh, they’re part of my work uniform.”

“Doing what?”

“I’ll explain over dinner,” Gemma said, turning toward the stairs. “Let me change first.” She bounded up the stairs as fast as the high heels would allow, then closed her bedroom door and exhaled. Her mother’s sense of timing hadn’t improved.

With her skin still tingling from being caught in a compromising position, she crossed to the picture window and glanced down. Chev was in the yard, hosing off the newly tiled walkway and watering large trees still in tubs, waiting to be planted. His work shirt gaped open and she shivered, remembering the smooth firmness of his skin as he pulled her body close to his. She reached out and touched her finger against the warm pane of glass, imagining the heat they could generate.

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