“So who’s going to cut your lawn then?” he asked nonchalantly.
I shrugged, not even considering the question until now. “I guess I will.”
“With that thing in your shed?” he chuckled.
I already knew what he was referring to. In the back of the shed, behind the big mess of tools my asshole ex-husband had left behind, an old red lawn mower sat gathering cobwebs. It hadn’t been sta
rted in just about forever. I remember Eric using it a few times right after we’d bought the house, and then calling in a landscaper because he hated cutting the grass so much.
“If it starts up, sure,” I said honestly. “If not, I guess I’ll pick something up. I really should work on getting a car first, though. I need that even more.” Looking away, I let out a little laugh. ‘Shit, now I’m rambling.”
“If it’s a car you want, head down to River City,” he instructed. “It’s not a big lot, but they have reliable stuff. Ask for Tate. He’ll fix you up.”
“Oh. Okay.”
Jacob took another big gulp of water, draining the rest of the glass. He was looking at me now, sizing me up. Getting me lost in those amazing eyes.
Hell, maybe he even knew it.
“So I guess this is a last meal then,” he smiled, holding up the cookie.
Although there was no good reason for it, I still felt shitty. I let my arms fall to my sides, my chin to my chest.
“Sorry, Jacob.”
Somehow, in the middle of everything, his hand touched my face. Two gentle fingers tilted my chin back upward, forcing me to look at him again.
“Hey, don’t be sorry,” he said cheerfully. “It’s okay.” Then, adding a smile: “Really.”
God, he was so amazing-looking! High cheekbones, full lips. His strong, masculine jaw was betrayed by a boyish, innocent grin that somehow went perfectly with it.
“Well Ms. McShane, it’s been a good run,” he sighed. “And at least we finally got some face-to-face time.” His smile went wistful. “I only wish it had been earlier.”
I nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly. Somehow my lips murmured the word “Serena.”
“Okay then Serena,” he said, pausing as if tasting the word in his beautiful mouth. “Let’s you and I take a walk over to your shed.”
His blue eyes flashed dangerously, and my heart skipped a beat. Did his smile just get wider? Go a little more mischievous?
“Uhhh… okay.”
“The least I can do for such a good customer is get your old mower up and running,” Jacob smiled.
Two
JACOB
“A little harder,” I instructed. “And a little faster, too.”
She bent to the task, putting more effort into it. I watched her head jerk back. Her strawberry blonde hair flew over one shoulder.
“No, you’ve got to put your hips into it. Hang on. Let me show you.”
I approached her from behind, where she stood bent over the lawnmower’s pull-starter. I’d drained it, re-fueled it, primed it up. It was old, but hardly used. In theory, it should start.
“Okay, so it’s not in the arms,” I said, “so you don’t need muscle.”
“Are you saying I don’t have muscle?” she asked slyly.