Page 5 of Lessons in Lemonade

“Bryan Brennen. I knew I recognized you from somewhere.”

He shrugs his shoulders and gives me a warm smile back. So this is Lexi’s Bryan. Well, I’ll be.

“But you don’t recognize me,” says tall-dark-and-handsome, bringing himself back into the conversation.

“No. Should I?”

“Jack. Jack Willett. I play football with this guy.” He holds out his hand and I once again look down at it as if it’s offensive, but I still slide my hand into his. Again with the large hands, only this time the warmth is touching me directly, skin on skin. Realizing I like this more than I should, I snatch my hand away and wipe my palm against my dress.

“Meg Dukette.” I nod at Bryan, letting him know it’s nice to meet him, and then scowl back at Jack. Around us, more and more people have sidled up to the bar, pushing me closer to him, and I’m overwhelmed by his nearness.

“So, Shelby seems to think I should visit you in Charleston. I love food, and well, if you’re as good as she seems to think you are, I might just have to make a trip.”

My jaw drops.

“Speaking of food,” Bryan chimes in, “I’m going to go find some. Either of you want anything?”

I shake my head, and Jack answers, “Not yet, but thanks.” Bryan wanders off, and I can’t say I blame him—he wasn’t exactly being included.

Looking back at Jack, I see his eyes are already on me, and my stomach drops just a bit as sparklers light and fizzle underneath my skin. I haven’t physically reacted to a guy like this in so long, and I’m almost confused by the sensations.

“So, about that dinner,” he says, his voice lower, deeper. I hear the double meaning behind it—he isn’t subtle—and maybe in another life I might have gone with it, but not in this one. I don’t date people who are or potentially will be in my inner circle. Like, ever. Those I do go on dates with are mostly strangers, guaranteeing it won’t become too awkward when I don’t go out with them a second time. Which I never do.

Looking up at him—he towers over me by almost a foot—I laugh to myself as I think about the height difference between us if I were to take my shoes off. My eyes would barely be staring at his nipples. Wait—no! Why am I thinking about his nipples? Just no, no, no.

“You’re more than welcome to come any time. We love all our paying customers.”

He chuckles. “What if I’m paying, but it’s for you and me, and someone else does the cooking?”

“I don’t date,” I blurt out.

“Ever?” he questions, tilting his head to the side.

“Well, I do, but not people I know.” As if that will make any sense to him.

“But you don’t know me,” he taunts, one side of his mouth curving up.

“I do now.” I attempt to take a step back from him but end up bumping into the person behind me. Jack reaches out and tucks his hand around my elbow to steady me. There he goes with the hands again, and there I go liking him touching me more than I should.

Humming, he twists his lips to the side while he thinks, and then his eyes light up. “Well, I’m down for skipping the dinner and going straight for dessert, if you know what I mean.”

Yeah, I know what he means, and as tempting as it might be, that’s not my style.

“Not gonna happen, cowboy.” I shake my head and my arm so he’ll release it. He does.

“Cowboy—does that mean you’re into role-playing?” He wiggles his eyebrows, and a laugh bursts out of me.

“No. No role-playing. Ever.” Although, him in a Stetson hat and nothing else—I bet it would be a sight . . . a glorious sight. “Persistent much?” I ask.

“Can’t blame a guy for trying.” He shrugs, those dimples making another appearance.

He lightly taps his glass against mine, and we both take a sip of wine.

“Does that approach usually work for you?”

He doesn’t say anything, just continues to smile. He licks the wine off his lips, and unfortunately I watch every move. Also unfortunately, I have my answer.

This guy is nothing but trouble, and considering the fact that he’s friends with Zach and James, I have a feeling I’ll be seeing him around here and there, which is why I settle on understanding it’s definitely for the best that we’re going to be friends—just friends. He may be too handsome for his own good, but I find the silver lining, the lemonade to this new acquaintance: he seems like a funny guy who will make me laugh, and I love laughter in life.