Page 22 of Timid (Lark Cove 2)

Especially a woman like Thea. She was gorgeous, with shiny, dark hair and seductive brown eyes. She was brave and confident and sexy. In other words, my polar opposite.

I ran away from the party, too upset to stay. A few days later, I’d all but convinced myself that Jackson was in love with Thea, so I mustered all my courage and stopped by the bar to ask for certain. Thea swore up and down there was nothing between her and Jackson but a sibling-type love. I believed her and decided it would be best to forget the whole thing.

Just like it would be best to forget all things Jackson.

Still, the mental image of his lips on hers made me nauseous. The idea of him and any other woman made my stomach churn.

Maybe that was the reason for his appearance last night. Had he run out of tourists to bang? Was I just next on his conquest list?

“I don’t know what’s going through your head, but steam is going to come shooting out of your ears at any moment.”

I focused on Hazel. “Sorry. I’m . . . mad.”

“At Jackson?”

“Yes.” No. Not really. I was mostly mad at myself. I was mad for giving him my focus for so many years.

“Good,” Hazel declared. “Be mad. Take it out on him. I’m sure that whatever he did, he deserves it. Just like he deserves a thump on the back of the head every now and again.”

“He deserves it,” I muttered.

“Just don’t be mad forever. I’m not sure what has finally caused that boy’s eyes to open, but I’m glad for it. The best thing that could happen to him is you.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but I had no idea what to say, so I just nodded.

Hazel gave me a small smile and stood, going back to the kitchen without another word.

I stared at the empty doorway, replaying her words.

Make him work for it.

Maybe Hazel was on to something. Jackson had a lot of work to do if he was going to prove his sincerity. My guess was that he’d be bored with his pursuit within the week and move on to someone easier.

And after that happened, I’d truly be free to move on.

Maybe the quickest way to let him go was to watch him walk away.

Make him work for it?

I could do that.

“You keep staring at that door like you’re expecting someone.” Wayne chuckled from his stool at the bar.

“Nah.” I tore my eyes from the door and opened the dishwasher, letting the steam bellow out. As it did, my gaze drifted back to the door.

Wayne laughed again and took a sip of his beer. “Who are you waiting for?”

“No one.”

That was bullshit. I was hoping Willa would come in, though I wasn’t sure why. She’d blown me off today when I’d stopped by the camp under the guise of inviting Hazel to lunch.

I’d caught her off guard when I’d shown up at her door two nights ago. She’d made it clear that I’d done something to irritate her. I just had no idea what.

That’s why I’d gone to the camp today. I’d assumed that in broad daylight and dressed in something other than pajamas, she’d explain the problem. But hell, she wouldn’t even talk to me. She’d barely looked at me before whipping that hair around and rushing out of the kitchen.

When I’d asked her last night if I was missing something, she’d said yes. But what?

The only women I irritated on a regular basis were Hazel and Thea. Both of them were lousy at keeping their mouths shut, so whenever I pissed them off, I knew about it five seconds later. Willa’s silence was bothering me, almost as much as being turned down for a date.