His First Choice

“It’s good that he’s here, too, huh?” Kacey asked, coming closer. In a sundress with ballet slipper flats, she was as dressed down as she got. But she needn’t have bothered.

Any hope Lacey might have secretly held that there could possibly be a chance for her and Jem to explore whatever she might have been feeling between them had just been quashed.

“He’s been around all week, Kace.” Before she’d ratted him out.

Well, technically, she’d ratted out his ex-wife, but Tressa and Jem seemed to be pretty close. Closer than any divorced couple she’d ever known. And in her course of business, she’d known a lot of them.

Lacey had dressed down, too. In her newest pair of six-inch navy shorts and a white tank top. Kacey had tried to get her to put on one of her sundresses. She just hadn’t wanted to do so.

It wasn’t her.

And if nothing else, she was honest with herself and others about who and what she was.

And wasn’t.

Kacey was the “movie star.” Lacey was her shadow. And a damned good social worker.

He was on his way up the walk, with Levi, in jeans and a white T-shirt just like his father, skipping along beside him.

“A whole week and he doesn’t even see me most of the time,” Kacey said. “He’s been too busy looking at you.”

She wanted to tell Kacey she was dreaming. Or lying. But she’d noticed, too. She’d been afraid that she’d been fooling herself.

In a week’s time, with her sister right there every single day they’d seen each other, Jem still looked at Lacey first. And most often. He smiled at her, directed his conversation to her. Of course, it was her house.

But Kacey was paying the bill...

“Looks like I get to babysit today.” Kacey was smiling—and heading toward the front door. “See, it all worked out fine.”

Her sister never had been one to see the trouble in her path.

Which could be why she was still living alone and dating losers.

Not that Lacey was doing any better.

* * *

AS SOON AS it became obvious that Jem planned to put in a full day of work as long as he could count on the sisters to take care of his unexpected charge that day, Kacey offered to take Levi to the beach. Jem gave his permission.

Without hesitation.

First, because he knew how much his son would enjoy the outing and Levi’s emotional health was his first concern at the moment.

And second, because he knew he needed to have a word with Lacey Hamilton without Levi anywhere near enough to hear.

“His suit’s in that bag,” he said, indicating the backpack he’d carried in with him. He’d loaded it that morning with snacks, a swimsuit, change of clothes, juice boxes and a Super Why! video. All with Levi’s input as the boy stood there supervising.

“I’ll show you,” Levi said, taking Kacey’s hand. He turned back before he got to the bag, though, grabbing Lacey’s hand, too. “Come on, aren’t you going with us?” he asked, looking between the sisters.

“Lacey needs to stay here, Levi,” Jem said. “She’s the homeowner and I may have some questions as I get started.” Levi wouldn’t know what he meant, but he wouldn’t question the tone of voice, either. The words were for Lacey, letting her know that if she wanted the work done, she best stay put.

Right or wrong, he was angry with her and needed to let her know before he started work on her house. It wasn’t too late for her to change her mind.

Or for him to change his.

He didn’t miss the long glance the sisters exchanged, and that silent communi

cation, like they were speaking a foreign language right in front of him, purposely, so he wouldn’t understand, pissed him off, too.