Taking the Heat (Jackson: Girls' Night Out 3)

The words stabbed him in the heart, because the teasing in them was so at odds with his own ridiculous hope. “I was actually kind of hoping that was it, you know. It feels like a lot longer than two weeks since I left.”

She laughed as if he were joking. “No, I came because I figured you must be lonely without my expert sexual skills. How would you ever find another girl that has to be taught how to have sex?”

“Now you’re just fishing for compliments, Ms. Chandler. Not very subtle.”

She blushed, and Gabe felt as if he were having yet another dream about her. Veronica, here in the city, blushing and laughing as though they were back to normal. But they weren’t. She hadn’t touched him once.

“You look so strange,” she said, her brow creasing. “Like you’re a different person now. You look like you belong here.”

That hurt almost as much as her joke that she’d missed him. He ran a hand over his jaw. “My mom made me do it.”

She laughed so loudly that a pigeon flapped up into the air and moved its plump body five feet farther up the path. “That’s what happens when you move back home at thirty-one.”

“Shut up. I’m looking for my own place right now.” The words eradicated the laughter between them.

“Right.” She nodded. “So you’re really staying.”

The traffic noise grew louder as they moved toward the edge of the park. Veronica crossed her arms and squeezed them tight to her chest as if she was cold. He recognized the gesture now. She felt insecure or uncertain. She was unhappy. He wanted to put his arms around her, kiss her, tell her how sorry he was. But all he could do was talk.

“I haven’t given my notice at the library yet, but... My dad won’t stop working unless I take the reins. He’ll kill himself. I can’t let him do that.”

“I know,” she whispered.

“I was hoping maybe you’d come over and meet him.”

“Gabe—”

“He’s up and around now. He’d love for you to come by. It’s almost like nothing happened. And my mom is kind of counting on seeing you.”

She groaned. “They know I’m here?”

“Of course.”

“Why would you tell them that? I’m just a girl you dated for a couple of weeks!”

“That’s not all you are.”

“Yes, it is!”

“Then why are you here?” he challenged.

They stopped at a curve in the path. The trees were still thick here, but you could see the silver-and-white faces of the buildings beyond them. There was no illusion left here. No pretending that they could be anywhere.

“I got an offer for syndication,” she said. “A couple of days ago.”

“What?”

“My column. It’s going to be syndicated.”

“Here?”

“Not here,” she said, laughing. “There are enough advice columns in New York. But it will go into a few smaller newspapers in the West and Midwest, and it’ll be featured on a big online news source. I’m meeting with an agent tomorrow. That’s why I’m here.”

“Holy shit, Veronica,” he breathed. Then he said it louder. “Holy shit!”

He finally hugged her and she hugged him back, laughing when he picked her up and spun her around. “You’re amazing,” he said.

“I’m terrified,” she admitted, but she didn’t look terrified. Her eyes glowed as he set her down. Her wide smile softened. And when he ducked his head, she watched his mouth come closer instead of saying no.