It also means I get to look at you a bit.
Jacob’s smile makes my insides melt. I really need to get over this. I do not crush on men who are famous. I don’t crush on any man because I’m a widow who is still grieving. This is stupid and reckless. But then I look into his green eyes and logic and rationale cease to exist.
“That makes things easier. Ellie has the baby, and I wasn’t sure I could really get her to do it.”
“No, I’m happy to. I’ll let Ellie know she’s off the hook this weekend.”
He laughs. “Yeah, Devney texted me that she stopped by and mentioned you might be coming to the family dinner this weekend.”
Did he just say family dinner? “You’ll be there?”
He smiles and shrugs. “Well, I am part of the family.”
Oh, how in the world did I get forced into this? I should’ve said no. If it were just the girls, I could handle it, but being around the whole family is too much.
“Of course. She just made it sound like a girls’ night not a family dinner.”
“Don’t worry, the guys normally get thrown out of the house after a few minutes. Then it becomes more of a girls’ night than a family dinner. Not that they ever allow me to stay anywhere.”
We start to walk toward the house. “Do your sisters-in-law throw you out of a lot of places?”
“No, but I like to give them shit.” Jacob leans in, his voice conspiratorially low. “I’m still a little pissed that they’re not impressed with who I am. They’re making me sleep in a trailer that has a composting toilet.”
I laugh. “Are you serious?”
“Yup.”
“That seems more like hell than teenagers.”
“I’ll let you know tomorrow since tonight is my first night in it. But with the way Declan and Sean complained about it, it’s going to be a long five-ish months.”
“I’m sure it’s not that bad.”
“It’s a tiny house that has a generator, propane, and no hot water unless you go outside the night before and turn on the pump. And remember what I said about the toilet? I promise that it’s horrible.”
I smile, trying to imagine whatever this trailer thing looks like. “I’ll take your word for it.” We’re now at the top of the stairs, and I’m not sure what to do. “Well, I guess I’ll see you later?”
Jacob nods slowly. He reaches out, touching my wrist for just a second. One touch is all it takes to light a fire inside my heart that has been cold and filled with ash.
I stare down at where his hand was, wondering if I imagined it.
“I look forward to it.” He flashes a grin and then heads back down to where the quad is.
Jacob looks totally unfazed while I’m desperately pushing aside my thoughts about the touch. He’s a great guy. He’s funny, easy to be around, and did something incredibly sweet for Sebastian. The touch was innocent, and I’m making it into something that it wasn’t.
Jacob waves, and I lift my hand, returning the gesture as he drives off, wishing I didn’t look forward to seeing him again as much as I do.
Mrs. Symonds, the school principal, enters my office with a warm smile. “Hello, Mrs. Allen, you look lovely today.”
I rise out of my chair and come around the desk. “Thank you. You do as well.”
“I wanted to see how you were settling in.”
“I’m doing great. Sugarloaf is very welcoming, and even though we came after school had already begun, the kids are doing well.”
She nods. “I’m happy that’s the case. This town is filled with wonderful people, but sometimes, we’re a bit hard on newcomers.”
“Maybe it hasn’t been that way because I’m an Allen.”
“Luke was very loved here, but I’m sure that’s only part of it. The other part is because you’re just a very warm person as well.”
I smile. “I appreciate that.”
“Listen, there is something I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Okay.” I scramble to try to think of something I could have done wrong or forgotten, but I come up empty.
“I received a call from Jacob Arrowood the other day, and I wanted to verify that you agreed to help him.”
“Is it about the middle school play?”
“Yes. He said that you volunteered to supervise him.”
“I did. I probably should’ve asked you before saying something though. I’m sorry if I overstepped.”
She waves her hand dismissively. “No, it’s not that. I’m actually really grateful that it’s you. It will give you a chance to bond with some of the students.”
“I see.”
“Jacob has grown up to be a great man. I thought it was incredibly sweet of him to offer to help with our play.”
I nod. “Yes, I agree.”
“He’s such a big star, and even though he’s busy preparing for his new role, he said he wanted to pay back the community that helped him reach where he is now. We are so fortunate to have someone like him around when we needed it most.”
The warm feeling I had is back again. He is being selfless in a world that is anything but that. He’s giving something to kids that was taken when it’s inconvenient for him.
Jacob is nothing like I assumed.
I thought he’d be arrogant, rich, and entitled. I thought he would be a playboy to the hilt because that’s what we see and believe actors are. Then he showed up at my door, basically proving me wrong on every front.
I release a deep sigh. “I’m happy to help if all he needs is a school-approved supervisor.”
She clasps her hands together. “He’s coming in early next week to fill out the paperwork so that we’re covered for all liabilities. Oh, the kids will be so excited, and I’m sure we’ll sell out all the seats if people think they’ll get a chance to meet Jacob. We’ll raise so much money for the drama club.”
“Yes. It sure will.”
She gets to her feet, and I do the same. “Let me know if you have any problems.”
“Of course.”
The only problem I have is that I keep thinking of him, and I really don’t want to.
Chapter Seven
Brenna
I’m sitting on the bed, staring at the fifteen outfits I’ve laid out to go to a backyard barbeque. I don’t know what to wear. Nothing feels right. Everything looks like I’m trying too hard, which I am, or like I’m a slob, which I’m not. What do you wear when you want to impress a guy but you don’t actually want to look like you’re trying to impress him?
It’s official, I’ve lost my mind.
Melanie walks in, looks at the piles, and raises a brow. “Did you see a mouse or something?”
I sigh. “No. Why?”
She points at the mess on the bed. “Are you finally updating your wardrobe?”
I bristle at that. “What’s wrong with my clothes?”
“Nothing if you’re from the last millennium.”
“You’re grounded.”
Melanie seems uncaring. “Sure I am. What are you worried about?”