“Thanks. You got your suitcase?”
“Yes, sure.” She headed back into the warm salon. “This trip’s going to be good. I always spend the week he’s gone catching up with paperwork and administrative stuff, but I feel his absence so much. And I’m really looking forward to spending time with your mom.”
He reached for her suitcase. “I hope I’m doing the right thing.”
“It doesn’t have to be a big deal. If she’s not interested in working with me, then we spend a few days hanging out with her and come home. And we get away from the snow. No loss, right?”
“Right.” She thought she saw him smile, but it was too dark to be sure. “Your in-laws seem like good people.”
“They’re not my in-laws. Eddie left me three days after he found out I was pregnant.” She flushed the downstairs toilet, checked the dials on the oven and stove, and lowered the thermostat. “But, yes, they’re really good grandparents.”
Grabbing her purse, she headed back to where Jinx stood by the door with her suitcase. She didn’t want to wear her parka in the car, so she pulled it off the hook and tucked it under her arm. “The thing is, I miss Rocco, and it’s hard to see him freak out when he leaves me, but that’s not the real issue I have with Rocco spending time with Eddie’s family.”
“And what’s that?”
She shut off the lights, closed the door, and locked it. “They say we get our sense of ourselves from the look in people’s eyes. When I look at Rocco, even when I’m frazzled or angry, I make sure he sees love. I know his grandparents show him that love, too. But Eddie resents him, and I don’t ever want Rocco to look into his father’s eyes and see that.”
“I always liked the way you mom, but now I think you’re the best I’ve ever seen.” Jinx popped the hatch and shoved the suitcase in. “You want to put anything else back here?”
As she stood there, letting his words sink in, warmth spread through her. The last five years had been one crazy ride, between Eddie’s abandonment and the experience of raising a child on her own. She didn’t have much that was hers and hers alone, but Jinx always made her feel special.
When he gestured to her bags, she remembered his question. She had a purse and a tote filled with snacks, a digital reader, and some magazines. She burst out laughing. “I’ve been a mom too long. I packed to keep us entertained in the car.”
Jinx slammed the hatch closed and stepped onto the sidewalk beside her. The first rays of sunlight had pierced the darkness, and she could see his features more clearly. She’d spent so much time pushing him away, she’d missed how truly handsome he was.
Worse, she’d missed the kindness in his eyes.
He peered into her bag. “Oh, man.” He pulled out a box of graham crackers. “I haven’t had these in years. We used to go camping when my dad was in town. Always made s’mores.”
She pulled out a six-pack of mini water bottles. “I’m such an idiot. Did I think we’d have snack time in our room?” Remembering his girlfriend, she froze. “I mean rooms. We’re getting separate rooms. Obviously, we’re not…” She wagged a finger between them.
“Hey, don’t worry about it. Lori’s cool with the trip. And, yeah, I’ve booked us separate rooms.” He twirled his key ring around a finger. “You ready to go?”
“I am.”
“Good. Let’s do this.” Excitement glittered in his eyes.
Her breath caught in her throat. Because for one pathetic second she’d thought he was excited to travel with her.
But, of course, she knew it was about his mom.
The hope that I can help her get her mojo back.
She knew that, and yet…they stood so close, she could see the black streaks in his light blue eyes, smell the clean of his T-shirt and something else…something particular to him that reached in and connected with her very essence. It made her heart skip a beat.
Why am I reacting to him like this?
If she had to face the truth, her response to him was exactly why she’d always pushed him away. He stirred things up, and it just wasn’t the right time in her life to date.
“Jinx, I’m really glad we’re taking this trip together.” I’ve been awful to you. “I want to get to know you and—”
The passenger door opened and out came a boot attached to a lean, jean-clad leg. “Hey, there.” Lori’s voice was morning-rough, sexy.
Mortification poured over her ego like boiling water. I want to get to know you?
He has a girlfriend.
She struggled to compose herself. “Hey, Lori.” Her too-cheerful voice sounded ridiculous.
“Everything all right?” In her puffy black parka with its fur-trimmed hood, she still managed to look sophisticated and sexy.
“Everything’s great.” She smiled at the woman. “Just had a hard time saying goodbye to my son.”
“I’m sure.” She seemed genuinely concerned. “But you’re going to have a blast. You’re going to eat gross convenience store food, hit the casinos, and get drunk. All the things you can’t do as a mommy.”
“The fact that my immediate reaction to all those ideas was, I think I’ll stay in and sleep while everyone else goes out, shows you just how much I need to do all of them. I swear, you’d never know I was twenty-five.”
“Girl, you’re going to have so much fun.”
“You’re not coming with us?” She was embarrassed at the hitch of hope in her heart.
“Nope. I already missed Christmas day with my family, there’s no way I can miss the rest of this week. I just didn’t want say goodbye to my sweetie-pie yet, so I hitched a ride into town just to see him off.” She flashed her sweetie-pie a big grin. “Let’s do this.” And got back into the car.
His girlfriend was beautiful and vivacious and…and perfect. She didn’t have stretch marks or bags under her eyes. She didn’t have an ounce of bitterness in her.
Catching Jinx watching her, Skylar’s body went hot with shame at thinking such stupid thoughts. “She seems great.”
“Yeah, she is.”
She’d never seen this softer side of him. A mix of jealousy and potent regret passed through her in a sickening roll.
You need to stop this right now.
He deserves a woman who wants him. Loves him.
And you? You had your chance, and you kicked him to the curb.
Let the man be happy.
Chapter 3
As they pulled away from the curb, Lori fiddled with her phone until a song came on the speakers. “Okay with you, baby?” she asked Jinx quietly.
He just shrugged, and she leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You’re such a sweetheart.” Then, she twisted around to Skylar. “He’s dropping me at Calamity Joe’s. You want to grab a coffee before you hit the road?”
“I’d love that. Thank you.”
Lori settled in her seat. “I’m going to miss you so much.” She played with the hair at the back of Jinx’s neck. “I wish I could come. I can’t wait to meet your mom. You’re such a good son.”