Damn it, she was sexy when she was mad. Teeth clenched, nostrils flared, she was staring at Yvonne as if she were about to jump over the table and strangle her.
Was it bad he was turned on by this? By the fact that little Miss Perfection Jenna Justice seemed riled? Maybe even jealous?
“Yes?” Yvonne said. “Something you want to say, Jenna?”
JJ took a deep breath, her eyes landing on Colt. She opened her mouth to speak and—holy shit, Colt could tell by the look on her face that she was going to admit to something she would later regret.
She had been adamant about keeping their “relationship” a secret. So why now, in front of Yvonne and the town, would she out them?
He had no idea, but she was about to blow the cover she’d worked so hard to erect. Colt knew she’d hate herself later for it.
“Yes,” JJ snapped. “There is something I want to say. You—”
“You’re looking for volunteers, isn’t that right, Miss Justice?” Colt said, cutting her off.
JJ’s brow creased and Colt sidestepped Yvonne to scribble on a blue piece of paper that lay on the table in front of her.
“I…yes. Thank you?”
He nodded.
She sat.
Situation defused. People went back to talking and looking at the different booths. JJ was obviously a bit confused, but he saw the moment reality sank in for her. She glanced around, then looked at Colt and gave him a small smile. Silently thanking him. At least, that’s how he read it.
“How sweet to volunteer your time for your nephew, what with you being so busy and all. You staying in town long?” Yvonne flipped her hair over one shoulder, the large hat she wore flopping with the motion. Colt recognized the gesture. Knew women well enough to know exactly how they flirted.
He chanced a glance at JJ, who looked away the moment their eyes met and began fiddling with the papers in front of her.
“Haven’t really thought about it,” he lied.
It was all he thought about. How long he would stay. He had shown up here thinking a week would be torture, but the more time passed, the more he saw the hot little teacher, felt her warmth, the more he wanted to stay. For a hell of a lot longer than a single summer.
“Well, we should get dinner. You free tonight?”
“Sorry, but I’m all tied up tonight.”
Yvonne pouted and the thing in her purse yipped some more. “Maybe this weekend.”
“Maybe. I’m sorry but I’ve got to get going.” He looked for Sebastian—guy was a terrible wingman. He’d left him high and dry to go to Penny’s booth.
“Good seeing you, Colt. I’ll get your number from Lily,” Yvonne said.
Colt’s whole upper body sank. He watched Jenna shove the glasses up on her nose but keep her head down, concentrating on her task of organizing and reorganizing that stack of papers.
“Miss Justice,” he said.
Jenna’s eyes looked up, wide and gray. It was nearly his undoing.
She gave a sad smile. “Nice to see you, Colt, and thank you for”—she looked down at the paper he scribbled on—“your time.”
…
You’re Beautiful.
Jenna read those two words over and over long after Colt and Yvonne had le
ft her booth.