Page 32 of Second Time Around

“Are you sure it’s safe?”

“I don’t mean to interfere, but I know Mitch pretty well. He’s a good guy,” Hudson said.

“You’re welcome to hang out with us at my place instead,” Nick offered.

Jenna tried to tamp down her impatience, but she wasn’t a child and didn’t want to be treated like one.

“No offense, but I’m not sure I want to hang out with you lovebirds all night.”

He nodded, but Stacy frowned. “You don’t even know him that well.”

“I’m not you, sis. I don’t need to fall in love first.”

Stacy’s face fell, and Jenna felt a pang of guilt. “I appreciate you guys looking out for me, but I’ll be fine. I promise. If something feels off, I’ll just leave.”

“Or you can call one of us,” Stacy said.

“Anytime,” Kelsey added.

Suddenly Jenna’s throat felt tight, so she just nodded. Then she picked up her bag and walked away before she could change her mind. When she got out to the parking lot, Mitch was leaning against his car, a BMW, and his face lit up when he saw her.

She’d been in this scenario before and reminded herself that she was in charge here.

“I was afraid you changed your mind,” Mitch said.

“Not at all. Lead the way.”

As she followed him out of the apartment complex, she felt a twinge of discomfort and decided it was all Beck’s fault. If he hadn’t come back into the picture, she wouldn’t be second-guessing herself right now. She would just go off with Mitch, the hot dentist, and have a good time.

Instead, she thought about Beck changing her tire under the scorching sun and sweating through his T-shirt. Would Mitch have been as eager to help? Would he feed her dessert or worry about her getting a cavity?

“Ohmigod! Why am I even comparing them?” Like Stacy had pointed out, she didn’t even know Mitch that well. He might have changed her tire and offered her a free teeth cleaning to boot!

Just because Beck was back in town, it didn’t mean her life had to change. She’d been doing fine without him, and his reemergence was a nuisance and nothing more. He had no place in her personal life, as she’d stripped him of that privilege twelve years ago.

Stripped. Beck. No! Don’t go there. But it was too late; she already had. It was at that moment that she knew the rest of her night was ruined.