Page 43

I ignored the jibe and opened her message.

Melena: Still on for house hunting tomorrow? How do you feel about breakfast first?

“That’s the wife,” Chase said. He shook his head. “Jimmy is a changed man.”

Matteo shook his head, as if unsure what to say. At the last minute I’d invited him to the wedding, but he and his wife had been out of town, and he’d seemed more than a little befuddled at how quickly we moved. “Well, congratulations then. You’re happy?” he asked.

I smiled. “It’s complicated, but I think we’ll get there.”

Matteo shot Chase a knowing smile. “How’s Andi taking Prince Charming’s sudden marriage?”

Chase barked a laugh. “About as well as she handled him dating her friend Ginny in high school, but with more machinations and intent. I think Melena’s got a hard road ahead of her there.”

I tilted my head. “Andi’s not that bad.”

Chase shook his head. “Oh, my friend. There are none so blind as brothers. Melena’s going to have it rough.”

I scowled. “I won’t allow it. Andi and I support each other, and I expect her to back me in this.”

Chase clapped a hand on my shoulder. “It’s cute you think she’ll view it as unsupportive to harass your new wife. Pretty sure she’ll view it as exactly the opposite.” He held up his hands. “Before y’all decide to fight me, let’s get another beer and get back to our game. I can only handle so much Dr. Phil talk.”

I snuck in a quick text to Melena before we resumed our game.

Jimmy: Sounds great. Meet at my place at eight and we can walk to the diner nearby?



















Chapter 13

Melena – House Hunters Pacific Northwest

Idashed up the stepsto Jimmy’s and knocked, bouncing on my toes. It was nice to have something to look forward to, instead of things I wanted to forget. Spending the day touring other people’s houses and how they filled their spaces sounded soothing. Like a window into a life that wasn’t my own. A taste of what could be, full of possibility, and an escape from my reality. I didn’t want to think about my medical issues. I’d been doing okay on the meds, and I hoped I’d continue to stay steady. But at what cost? Part of me wanted the procedure to avoid the expensive medication if or when Jimmy and I separated. I had a year’s reprieve, but afterward, who knew?Stop.I needed to focus on the future, on house hunting, not on a heart I couldn’t control.

Jimmy opened the door with his trademark smile. “Hey.” Probably taking his cues from my awkward wave last time, he leaned in for a chaste kiss on the cheek, and I bungled it. His lips were right there and...I turned in.I turned in. I couldn’t help myself. Dr. Webb’s advice didn’t compute when my hormones were in play. Our lips collided, and it only took him half a beat to smile into my mouth before kissing me quickly but thoroughly and leaning back. He was so slick, he left me like a cartoon stuck in kiss mode, waiting for his lips to return to mine. I shook myself and stepped back.

“Well, hello. You okay?” His smile was wide and happy, but his gaze searched mine for any sign of distress.

“Hello, yourself, and yeah,” I said, trying to get my breathing and buzzing need back under control.Yeah.Intelligent. That was me. Someday I’d work up to full conversations, but I was off to a slow start. I took another deep breath and inventory. I felt fine. Normal, even. Maybe the impact of his kisses was wearing off. Would they become less potent with regular exposure? Not likely.