Page 18 of My Fiancé's Brother
“You remind me of my grandmother,” I blurted out.
His eyebrows went up a fraction. “That’s a first.”
“That isn’t what I meant.”
Jackson laughed and looked over at me. “No. I like it.”
My stomach flopped. The guy had great teeth. And again with that smile. Did he know that his smile changed his face, morphing him from a good-looking man into a heart-breaking sex god?Sheesh. I forced myself to look out the front windshield.
“She was just always telling me that life was short. That I shouldn’t pay attention to what other people think.”
“She’s right.”
“That’s easier said than done.” I turned my head to look out the passenger window. I didn’t recognize the feeling in my gut. It was part loneliness and fascination. When was the last time someone had encouraged me to stand up for myself? Jackson felt like dangerous territory. He made me miss my granny.
We pulled up in front of the gallery in record time. I was early, mostly in part to his Indy 500 skills.
“Can I have your car keys?”
I stared at him.
“I want to take a closer look at your car. Maybe I can fix it.”
I fumbled in my purse and handed them to him without question. “I can take my car to the garage.”
He ignored my protests. “What time are you done?”
I shook my head. “Oh, I can take a cab home.”
“You’re hosting my sorry ass. The least I can do is pick you up.”
“4 PM.”
Without another word, he swung out of the truck. By the time I had my seatbelt off, he was opening my door.
“I can do it.”
He took my hand, and I scrambled off the seat, hovering for a moment on the edge. I probably should have just jumped but I'm a chicken, and I hesitated. He gave a half laugh and reached up and plucked me off my two-foot ledge before setting me down on quivering legs. His fresh scent invaded my senses.
“Thank you for the drive to work.” I tend to get formal when I'm nervous. “It was enjoyable.”
It was enjoyable? Who even talked like that? I swear to God my granny sometimes channeled through my body just to mess with me.
A half smile played on his lips as he looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and bafflement. “You're welcome.”
I straightened my shoulders and nodded. “Have a nice day.”
And without looking back, face on fire, I walked into the gallery.
CHAPTER 7
I walked straightto the back and pulled out my phone to call my friend Beth. She was the only one who knew me.
Beth answered after one ring. “Yo.”
“I'm freaking out.”
“Do tell.”
