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I opened my mouth, wanting to say something—anything to wipe the vaguely hurt expression from her face. But Jimmy and the rest of her team approached before I could get the words out, and I faded into the background, returning to my table.

I accepted the congratulations from my fellow Knit Wits as best I could. Something about the victory felt hollow. Crowing about it like the rest of my team didn’t hit right.

We’d won.

Fair and square.

But why did it feel like I’d lost something too?

Remembering those heated moments in the hallway had me shifting uncomfortably in my seat as I sipped at the last of my pint.

Kissing Andi had been everything I’d dreamed. Hot, sweet, and just right. Perfect height, delicious weight in my arms, sexy mouth. Everything about us sizzled.

And I’d ruined it by pulling away. Again.

I glanced over to where she was scooting from her team’s booth, saying her goodbyes.

Jimmy and his wife Melena seemed content to hang out longer, and I debated my best move. Talk with Jimmy, let him know that I wanted to date his sister? Put it all out on the table, and hope it didn’t sink our friendship? Or follow Andi, make sure she got her car started safely, and let her know I hadn’t been toying with her in the hall?

In all honesty, I’d been overcome.

Spending hours close to her this week, listening to testimony, chatting with the other jurors, and having her jump in to help with Ted had changed my perception of her. Pushed the last vestiges of her being Jimmy’s sheltered younger sister first and foremost, away. She was Andi. Beautiful, courageous, strong, smart Andi. All woman.

A woman I wanted a real chance with.

I’d spent too much time reflecting, and she’d disappeared. But Jimmy still sat in their booth, smug and satisfied, his arm around Melena, Chase and Tamra on his other side.

I swallowed, wiping my hands on my pants.

He wasn’t Andi’s father, and she wasn’t sixteen anymore.

We didn’t need permission.

But I couldn’t afford to burn any more bridges. Disrespecting one of my oldest friends would be a mistake. But maybe he didn’t get a say. That decision belonged to Andi. To me.

I took a deep breath, wishing the stragglers from my team good night before approaching Jimmy’s booth.

“Mind if I sit?” I asked.

The big man nodded. “Sure, we can be magnanimous in defeat. Nice win tonight. You got lucky.”

He wasn’t wrong, but I pushed down the arrogant impulse to claim it was skill that brought us the win. Letting my competitive instincts take over might jeopardize my real mission in approaching him.

We made small talk while I waited for my opportunity. When Chase offered to grab another round and Tamra and Melena used him scooting out of their booth as an opportunity to hit the restroom, Jimmy and I were finally alone.

“Did Andi tell you we’re on a jury together?” I asked, moving the conversation in the direction I wanted.

Jimmy nodded, the light of mischief in his eyes. “Yeah. Funny that you’re both gluttons for punishment.”

Him thinking about punishment wasn’t exactly the tack I’d hoped our talk would take. I didn’t have a lot of time before the others returned.

“I think Andi’s great.”

There. Clear, to the point.

“Of course she is, she’s my sister.”

I held back my grimace. Not the response I was going for.