Page 50 of Second Time Around

“If you ever change your mind…”

“I won’t.”

“If you do, it’s going to be different next time.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean there’ll be no holding back and no regrets.”

“That’s asking a lot.”

“Maybe, but those are my conditions.”

“What about my conditions?”

Their standoff was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell, and Jenna looked at him in horror.

“Ohmigod. What time is it? They can’t be here already!”

Glancing at the clock on the microwave, he said, “It’s only six thirty.”

“Stacy!” she hissed. “She’s always on time or early, damn her!”

He tried to suppress his laughter but failed. Jenna’s feuds with her sister were legendary. Despite her claims that Stacy was rigid, picky, and too much of a rule follower, he knew how much Jenna loved and admired her. Still, their contentious relationship was always good for a laugh.

The doorbell rang again as a reminder that they’d been caught out.

“Do you want me to get it?” he offered.

She scowled. “No! You’re not even supposed to be here, remember?”

“They know that someone’s here since my car is in the driveway. You might as well get the door.”

She brushed past him and yelled, “Coming!”

His mind started to veer down the naughty path, but he stopped it. His erection had gone down since they’d stopped kissing, and he didn’t want it springing back to life now. He heard voices in the living room and quickly smoothed down the front of his shirt. Luckily, she hadn’t been wearing lipstick; otherwise, the writing would have been on the wall, or on his face, as it were.

“Whose car is that?” Stacy said.

Another voice that he didn’t recognize said, “Do you have a guy over?”

On cue, Beck poked his head around the corner. “Hi there.”

Stacy took one look at him and squealed. “Ohmigod. Beck Montgomery! Is that really you?”

At least one of the Young sisters was smiling at him. The other one rolled her eyes in disgust.

He came into the living room and took Stacy’s outstretched hand. “It’s great to see you.”

“You too. It’s been so long.”

“Too long.” He darted a glance at Jenna, who refused to meet his eye.

“Ahem,” said the woman standing beside Stacy.

“Oh. Sorry. Beck, this is our friend, Kelsey,” Stacy said.

He shook Kelsey’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”