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Jenna’s forehead began to sweat. “Uh, quick question. Jackson—does he work here?”
Rachel gave her a look. “He owns the store. That and half the island. He’s like a billionaire now. Don’t tell me you didn’t know that.”
“I did not know that. I’m not sure how, but I missed that rather significant piece of gossip.”
The girl at the table looked to be giving Jackson the same verbal lashing she had given Jenna. His shoulders slumped.
Jenna tried to wrap her mind around all of this. Jackson Wells had beaten up Steve because he had started the rumors about Rachel. He owned Bohn’s and apparently was a billionaire, a concept she could hardly fathom. He had a daughter with a sassy attitude. And he had tried—and maybe now given up on—starting fresh with Jenna.
She grabbed the cart from Rachel and started pushing it for the door like a mad woman.
“Where’s the fire?”
“I just want to get out of here.”
Rachel fell in step beside her, studying her face. “You’re being totally weird. You have been ever since I mentioned coming here. Oh my gosh—it is Jackson, isn’t it? Do you like him?”
Jenna rolled her eyes. “I do not like him.”
“He’s single, you know. Handsome. Wealthy. And he knew Mom. They were in the same Sunday School class. She told me how much she enjoyed getting to know him.”
Jenna’s throat constricted. Of course he was in their mother’s Sunday School class in addition to everything else. He had gone from being a class-A jerk to Mr. Perfect. Which made Jenna the jerk. A big one.
As they were loading groceries into Rachel’s car, Jackson and his daughter walked out to the parking lot. He put his hand on her shoulder. She shrugged out of his touch and continued to walk a few feet behind him, staring down at her phone.
“And he has a daughter?”
“Yep. That must be Megan. I’ve heard about her but haven’t met her. Looks like a surly little thing.”
“Surly is one word for her. I met her just now in the café.”
“It’s a messed-up situation. He doesn’t have primary custody and barely gets to see her. He didn’t even know about her until like a year ago. The mom sounds like a real prize.” Rachel’s voice dripped with disgust.
“Let’s back up here. When did you become the resident Jackson Wells expert?”
“That time he apologized—he actually took all of us out to eat. I was visiting Mom with Brady and the girls. Jackson took us all to lunch. It was quite an event. You know the twins don’t sit still for more than five seconds. I never would have imagined it, but he’s a really great guy. Why are you asking so many questions about Jackson? You do like him.” Rachel squealed.
“No. He just—I’m just …” Jenna sighed. “Can we go, please?”
“Oh! I’ve got one more thing to go in the plus-column for you dating Jackson.”
“I’m not dating Jackson.” Jenna slammed her car door.
“He has a massive house. Right on the beach. I know how much you love the beach.”
Jenna’s throat felt suddenly dry. She had a feeling that she knew exactly which house. The one right by the beach access where someone—she would bet money on Jackson—had waved to her the first night here. “Is it by our old beach access?”
“I’m not that much of a stalker. Ooh—Jenna and Jackson! So cute. Your names both start with J. It’s meant to be.”
Jenna made a choking sound. “What are we, twelve?”
“Methinks the lady doth protest too much. Seriously. I don’t know what’s stopping you.”
Jenna wanted to strangle her sister. What was stopping her? Just a lifetime of failed relationships, the fact that she was still neck-deep in grief, homeless, and jobless. And the fact that Jackson probably hated her now. Today he finally seemed to take the not-so-subtle hints she’d been dropping. It was the first time he had been cool toward her. She must have pushed him just too far. The regret she felt was instant and deep.
As Rachel pulled out of her parking space, the clouds were rolled away, revealing a gorgeous sky. Jenna watched Jackson open the door of a Jeep for Megan. She climbed in without looking at him, still lost in her phone. Jenna may have been imagining it, but it looked like his shoulders sagged as he closed the door. She only realized when Rachel pulled out onto the causeway that her own shoulders had slumped as well, an echo of his emotion.
Jenna had completely screwed things up with him, assuming the worst and judging him on his past. No wonder he had finally been snippy today. She must have hit the end of his patience with her. Probably better for them both, but she couldn’t deny the disappointment that flooded her as they drove away.