Can't Stop the Feeling (Whispering Bay Romance 6)

“That’s me.”

Despite the fact that Pappas was in the construction business, it was obvious from his tone that he wasn’t a fan of Ben’s clients and their plans to turn half of Whispering Bay’s shoreline into commercial and residential real estate. Not much Ben could do about that though.

“The game starts in ten minutes,” Viola said. “Who’s ready for pizza?”

“Me!” Rachel said.

Kitty smiled. “She’s not shy, is she?” She took charge of both little girls, steering them toward the kitchen.

The game was a raucous affair with most of the house cheering on FSU. He and Jenna were the lone Hurricane fans. Every once in a while, they’d high-five one another when their team made a first down, and when FSU threw an interception that resulted in a Miami touchdown, Jenna ran around the room giving everyone, including the grumpy FSU fans, a hug.

Her joy was infectious, and Ben couldn’t help but be thoroughly charmed by her. If she felt awkward by his presence here tonight, she didn’t show it. She was funny and kind and Rachel couldn’t get enough of her.

Unfortunately, neither could he.

* * *

Jenna had been a nervous wreck ever since Viola had decided to play Cupid and invite Ben to tonight’s get together, but so far, the evening hadn’t proven to be the disaster she’d feared. At halftime the score was tied at fourteen, and both little girls were fast asleep on the living room couch. Aunt Viola invited the adults out to the patio for some fresh air.

They sat in Adirondack chairs arranged in a circle facing a stone hearth. The temperature had stayed cool enough to justify building a fire.

“Don’t you love this nippy weather?” Viola said, wrapping a shawl around her shoulders.

“Enjoy it while it lasts,” Gus said. “I hear Monday’s high is going to be back in the nineties.”

They all moaned. Then immediately laughed. Floridians were always bragging about their nearly year-long summer-like weather, but no one appreciated an occasional cold front more than they did.

“Cigar?” Gus asked the group, lighting up a Cordoba.

Steve raised his bottle in the air. “Thank you, my man. But I’ll stick to my beer. Kitty will kill me if I go home tonight reeking of cigar smoke.”

Kitty gave her husband a thumbs-up. “You got that right.”

“How about you, Harrison?” Gus handed Ben a cigar.

“Since I don’t have a beautiful wife waiting for me at home, then yeah. Thanks.” He lit up the cigar then sat back in his chair and took a long puff.

Jenna shivered and leaned in closer to the fire. She could have sworn that Ben had glanced her way just now. Or maybe it had been a trick of the firelight.

Since I don’t have a beautiful wife waiting for me at home.

It was like someone had poured salt into a wound she didn’t know existed.

He said it to be polite. A compliment to Kitty. She got that. But it conjured all sorts of pictures in her head. Specifically, it conjured up images of him and Tiffany McAdams (thanks, Marsha!).

The thing was, Pat Harrison was spot-on. When the time was right, Ben would get married, and judging by the way he was with Rachel, he’d have children of his own.

Jenna hated her already. This beautiful future wife of his that he’d forego smoking a cigar for, so as not to offend her sensibilities…

“Okay, I’ll ask one more time. Need a refill?” Kitty stood over her with a bottle of wine.

“Oh, no, sorry,” Jenna said, shaking herself back to reality. “I’m good. Thanks.”

“How about you, Ben?” Gus asked. “Beer? Wine? Or I can offer you a decent glass of whiskey?”

“Just another water, thanks.”