The Reluctant Romantics Box Set (The Fall, The Mind, The Heart)

“He’s on his way.” She clapped excitedly. “You know I’ve never been to a casino. I’ve never even been to Louisiana.”

“Yeah,” I said, disheartened.

Dallas looked at me then pulled me to her in a brief hug. “It’s okay, Rose. No one blames you for doing what you have to do, like at all. You can’t be the surgeon we need you to be here if you don’t put in the time there. We’ve mapped this out for years. It’s all falling into place. We’re all proud of you. Just take a day, live a little.”

“Why does everyone keep telling me that!?”

“Because you need it!” she said, exasperated. “We all do, even Dad is a little burned out.”

“Daddy’s burned out?” My shoulders slumped as I thought of how hard my father was working on this project of ours.

“Jesus, Rose, get that guilty fornicating-nun look off your face. Dad’s home with Mom and they are probably arguing about the remote or what to feed the babies. Just go home, sit on that amazing deck, and get some sun, or invite the J's over and have a drink or six. Just do something other than work.”

“Yeah,” I agreed easily with a nod, knowing I would do none of those things.

“Jack will need someone here or close by just in case he’s got any questions. He’s really got his shit together and knows what he’s doing, but I told him where to find you.”

“At home.” I smiled ironically.

“Yeah,” she said as she pulled her dark hair into a smart bun then fastened it on top of her head.

“That’s okay, right?” She eyed me with caution, still fearing I would break down at any moment. I hated that I made her feel that way at any point. I was almost sure those days were safely behind me.

“Of course,” I said as Dean pulled up and got out of his sleek Jag to open the door for Dallas. Excitement danced all over his handsome features as he gave me a killer smile.

“Morning, Rose.”

“Morning, Dean,” I said as he pulled his wife to him for what looked like a promising kiss. I felt myself sink further into a pit of despair and rolled my eyes at my own selfishness.

Whatever, I can totally do time off.

Dallas turned back to me, a thought I was sure I didn’t want to be voiced crossing her mind. “You know Jack is staying at a motel just down the highway. He’s probably alone at night and could use a little company.”

“I’m not going to bone the subcontractor, Dallas.” Dean chuckled as he opened the trunk, fidgeting with their packed bags.

Dallas looked at me pointedly. “You could do worse.”

“Fine, so he’s hot as sin, but from what I could tell, he doesn’t have much of a personality. He’s all business behind that body, and I’m not into boring. I’m boring enough.”

Just as the words passed my lips, we heard the rumble of a motorcycle approach, and the three of us looked toward it in confusion. Jack pulled up on a newer model Harley, completely unaware of his audience. His eyes were hidden behind aviators, and he was jean-clad with a simple white t-shirt. He was a wet dream as he tapped out his kickstand in old dusty work boots and killed the ignition. I stood stunned for a moment before my sister cleared her throat. Hesitant to look in her direction, both Dean and Dallas stared at me with amused expressions, Dean even more so as he tapped the hood of his Jaguar with a lifted brow.

“Yeah, I can see how you wouldn’t find him interesting,” Dallas said with a knowing smirk. “Now look, honey,” Dallas said sarcastically, “all the grown-ups are occupied this weekend. You are just going to have to find a way to entertain yourself.” She blew me a kiss before she joined Dean in the car. Just as she shut her door, he pushed an exaggerated foot on the gas and shot out of the parking lot like a bat out of hell, honking as they passed Jack. I laughed at them before I caught sight of Jack and fully drank him in.

I could still feel the rumble of that bike vibrate through me as he approached with a lady-killer smile. “Was that Dallas and Dean? They said they might take off. I bet they’ll love Shreveport. It’s no Nola, but it’ll do in a pinch.”

Jack stopped to stand in front of me. The bright, early morning sun made me squint as I looked at him. With his shades still on, it was hard to gauge what he was thinking, and I suddenly felt like a slob. Very aware my hair was still wet, an involuntary shiver danced through the top of my shoulders. I held my hand up to shield my eyes and tilted my head to get a better look at him.

“Ah, so it was your idea for my sister and her husband to gamble away my niece and nephew’s future.”

“Guilty,” he admitted with a slow grin.

“Well,” I said, “good for you. I guess a guilty conscience doesn’t bother you.”

“Not often, no.” He smiled fully. “Everyone’s got to roll the dice at least once.” He looked toward the way of Dean’s now invisible car then back at me. “How’s that tongue of yours?”

I froze, completely affected by him and his clean scent: a mix of something heavenly with a little sun and sweat. Beads of perspiration knotted on the smooth white scar above his top lip, and I was tempted to wipe them away so I could get a better look.

“It’s much better. Thank you.”