The Closer You Come

“Then we’ll leave,” Beck said easily.

“Don’t bother.” West stormed from the office and out of the building.

Brook Lynn didn’t have to ask what was wrong with him. Tessa’s party loomed ever closer.

Speaking of, she had some more planning to do. She might not be working for Jase, but she wasn’t going to leave him in the lurch. “I have bouquet samples to show you guys, but I didn’t bring them.”

“Worry about it tomorrow.”

Good. She had to run a few errands she planned to run today—it was time to check another item off her fun list.

“Well,” she said. “I better go.”

“I’ll see you later.” Beck offered her a sad smile. “I’m sorry about that.”

“Don’t be. I get it. The loss of a loved one leaves a big hole in your heart, and if you aren’t careful, sorrow and regret fill it.”

“He’ll be sunshine and smiles a few days after the party. It’s his cycle—after the actual anniversary date, things always look up.”

“I’m glad.” Not just for West’s sake, but for Jase and Beck. They hurt when their friend hurt. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”

“Will do.”

As she tromped to the door, Jase entered the building. Warm delight instantly spilled through her and she had to fight not to throw herself into his arms. Daphne and Hope were with him, and Brook Lynn wasn’t sure how he’d react to displays of affection.

Both females looked lovely in summer dresses, dark hair pulled back in matching ponytails. Though Daphne’s eyes were rimmed with pink and a bit swollen, as if she’d spent the night crying.

Jase narrowed his focus on Brook Lynn and closed the distance, a ravenous predator determined to enjoy his prey. She shivered in pleasure as he wrapped her in the strength of his arms.

“I missed you,” he whispered against her ear, answering her question about the PDA.

“I missed you, too.” Even though they’d been parted only a few hours. A minute was too long. She rubbed her nose against his neck and breathed in the masculine scent of him. Can’t ever get enough.

“Sandwich deliveries?” he asked as they pulled apart.

“Yeah, but I’m all done now.” She peeked at Daphne, expecting the woman to be seething with dark jealousy. Or hatred. Something. Anything.

But Daphne merely smiled at her. “It’s nice to see you again, Brook Lynn.”

“Uh...you, too?” A question when it should have been a statement. Jase hadn’t told her anything about Daphne’s situation—when they’d seen each other last night, they’d been too eager to get to bed—and she made a mental note to ask. “What are you guys up to?”

“Getting to know the town,” Daphne said, adding hesitantly, “Jase has asked us to move here.”

“I was going to talk to you about it,” he rushed to tell her.

Did he expect Brook Lynn to protest? “Have you taken them to Strawberry Jam?”

At first, he remained silent, peering down at her with surprise...which soon turned into a potent mix of affection and desire. “You are an amazing woman,” he said and kissed her softly, gently. “You know that, right?”

Tonight I’m going to climb him like a tree. “Strawberry Jam is where Jessie Kay, my sister, used to work,” she told Daphne. “They pluck wild strawberries from several hundred acres and create the best jellies you’ll ever taste. If you sign up for a tour, you’ll get to sample all the different flavors.”

Hope jumped up and down. “I want to go! Can we go? Please, please, Momma.”

While Daphne promised her daughter a tour, Brook Lynn ran her hands over Jase’s shoulders, smoothing the lines of his shirt. “I almost forgot. Do you know a guy named Stan?”

He thought for a moment, shook his head. “No. Why?”

“I delivered a sandwich to him at the Strawberry Inn, and he asked about you.”

“Me?” He frowned. “Reporter?”

“I don’t think so. He didn’t have a professional look. And he told me to be careful around you.”

His frown deepened, a spark of anger in his eyes. “I’ll look into him.”

She nodded and decided to change the subject, asking quietly, “What’s wrong with Daphne?”

He responded just as quietly, saying, “She told her boyfriend about me, about her trip here, and he broke up with her.”

She’d had a boyfriend? Wow. Brook Lynn had all but accused the woman of coming here to steal Jase. Looks like I owe her an apology.

“Hey. What are those weird things in your ears?” Hope asked, pointing to Brook Lynn’s implants. “Are you part robot?”

Jase stiffened against her but for once Brook Lynn felt no embarrassment. Something the man beside her was responsible for. “I am part robot,” she teased. “Is it hot in here or did my internal fan system just crash?”

Hope didn’t understand, but Jase did, and he chuckled, whispering, “Is ten inches your maximum RAM capacity or can I try for eleven?”

“Requested log-in denied,” she quipped.

He only laughed harder, and it thrilled her to her soul. You’ll never be one of those guys who displays emotions, my love? Think again.

“I’m so sorry about that,” Daphne said, looking mortified.