Playing with Fire (Hometown Heat 3)

“Right.” I frown, not sure what to make of that news. “I didn’t realize she still had a lot of feelings…about the divorce.”

Naomi shoots me a vaguely amused look. “Of course she does, Jamison. They were married for six years, and Maddie has barely spoken a word about how what happened made her feel. Even to me.”

I’m quiet for a moment, thinking back over the past three weeks. “Maybe it’s my fault she’s upset. We’ve been moving pretty fast. I thought she was okay with it, but...” I gaze out at the lake, where the water is starting to look black in the thickening night. “And I’m sure what happened yesterday didn’t give her warm, fuzzy feelings about me.”

She sighs. “Yeah, about that… I’ve talked and talked with Jake, and I’ve got your dad on the case, too. But as of tonight before dinner, he wasn’t budging.”

I glance back at her. “You mean about uninviting me from the wedding?”

She nods. “I know he’s going to regret it. You two are so close, and he’s going to get over this someday not too far from now. And when he does, he’ll want to kick himself for excluding you from something so important.”

“You think so?” I ask, my throat tight.

God, I hope she’s right.

I hope it so much it’s a little scary.

“I know so.” She rests a gentle hand on my shoulder. “You made a mistake, but it’s in the past. And you’re certainly not the first or the only person to fall short in that way. And I’m sure it’s not something you plan on doing again.”

“No, it’s not. I told Jake that, but he didn’t seem to care.” I swallow and add, “He said he wished he hadn’t picked me to be Noelle’s godfather.”

“Oh my God…” Naomi props her hands on her hips. “That man. He is such a stubborn ass sometimes. I love him to death, don’t get me wrong, but not everyone is as perfect as he is. Some of us have to screw up a few times before we figure out how to do the love thing right.”

She shakes her head and taps an emphatic finger on the hood of the car. “And making mistakes doesn’t mean you’ll be a bad godfather. Hell, it might mean you’ll be a better godfather. You’ll be able to help Noelle through her own failures, should she grow up to have more in common with we mere mortals than her dad, Mr. Perfect.”

I smile. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” she says, still clearly wound up. “We prodigal children have to stick together, you know.”

“Yeah. I do. I’m glad we’re friends again.”

Her frown softens. “Me too. I didn’t like it when things were weird.”

“Me either,” I say, then add cautiously, “And I hope you know I’m going to do my best to treat Maddie right, if she’ll let me. I would never hurt her.”

“Of course, you won’t,” she says, surprising me. I expected some push-back, or at least an adjustment period as she wrapped her head around the idea of me dating her sister. “You’ve loved Maddie since you were little. You’ve always watched out for her and wanted the best for her. Assuming none of that has changed now that you two are doing…whatever it is you’re doing, I’m a fan.”

She nibbles her bottom lip for a moment before she smiles. “You know, now that I think about it, I bet you two are a great match. Maddie’s always had her secret wild side, and you have your secret sweet side. Bet you’re perfect together.”

“I hope so. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I… I just want to love her. You know?” I pull in a deep breath, surprised to find myself getting emotional in front of Naomi. I clear my throat before continuing, “I just hope I haven’t screwed everything up.”

“How could you have screwed everything up?” she asks. “Maddie is a forgiving person. Her divorce hangover has been pretty nasty, but I think she’s finally throwing it off. Taking a day to think and feel and process could be a good sign for you two.”

My mouth twists. “You really think I still have a chance?”

“I certainly do. In fact…” She trails off, her eyes narrowing before she turns to dig into her purse.

“What’s up?” I’ve known Naomi long enough to recognize her “I’ve got a plan” face.

“I’m going to call the caterer,” she says, pulling out her phone and scrolling through her contacts. “I’ll ask them to set up that table for two in the gazebo at the reception venue, after all. I told them Jake and I would be too busy with family to sneak away, but there’s no reason you and Maddie can’t enjoy a little time alone.”

“But Jake doesn’t want me at the reception.”

Naomi sniffs. “Well, I haven’t given up on changing his mind about that,” she says, hitting the contact number and putting the phone to her ear. “But even if he doesn’t, I—”