“No, you never were,” she said, her lips twisting slightly, which annoyed me.
“What do you mean?”
“Just that you were a sports star, the class tease, the guy who all the girls chased. That's what I mean.”
“Nobody chased me.” Irritation flashed through me.
Jane looked at me over the top of her glasses. For a second, it felt like a stern school teacher was looking at me.
I stared back at her and finally shrugged. “I'll own the class tease thing, but I wasn't a player or a jerk. Did I do something to offend you back then?”
Her pretty eyes skated over my face, assessing me before she took another swallow of her coffee and shook her head. “On second thought, I’ll pass on the grocery store.” She didn’t say anything further.
For some reason, I annoyed Jane, and I wanted to know why. I also thought she was cute.Reallycute. Deliciously, temptingly cute. I'd expected to come up to Haven’s Bay and bang around this big old house by myself. I’d even imagined doing a little ice fishing. My main goal was to forget the troubles I'd left behind in Washington, DC. I'd even worried I might be a little bored. But with Jane here, there was no way I'd be bored.
She was a challenge, and I thrived on rising to any challenge.
ChapterFive
Jane
After Ian left to go grocery shopping, I peered outside. The snow had slowed to plump flakes floating down from the sky. He’d somehow arranged for someone to plow the driveway. That made up my mind. I knew the roads would be plowed. Maybe it had been a while since I’d lived through a full Maine winter, but I could certainly handle a drive in this weather. It wasn't sunny or clear, but I had good winter tires. I didn't want to stay cooped up in the house by myself.
Although I felt like I could breathe a little easier once he left, it was impossible not to be aware of him. I was beyond annoyed with myself that I was so drawn to him. The awareness was an almost constant prickle over my skin. All of Thea’s brothers were handsome, but only Ian had gotten to me when I was younger. Oh, I hadn't really crushed on him. I’d always been too guarded to let myself crush on anyone. Although I had to admit he was cute. Because he was. Even though he was too handsome for his own good, he was nice then and even nicer now.
For a flash, I wanted to lie to myself and pretend he’d been a jerk, but he never had. “He just never really noticed me,” I muttered to myself.
I felt like I was crushing on him now. Andthatwas fucking ridiculous. I gave my head a shake. I hadn't told Ian, but I planned to go check out my parents’ house. Maybe it would be easier to get the power and water turned on than I’d thought.
He'd even asked me about my grocery preference, and I’d brushed him off, telling him not to worry about me. He’d eyed me curiously. I figured he was going to stock up anyway because he was that kind of guy, and apparently, he felt some sort of responsibility to me or to Thea on my behalf. Whatever. I couldn’t spend my mental energy on what Ian thought. That fell into the category of ridiculous.
I slipped into my down jacket and my winter boots, which I had wisely packed, and started my car. I scraped the ice off my windshield while the engine warmed. Whoever had plowed the drive had done a good job. I only had to shovel a little bit of snow away from the front of my car.
A few minutes later, I was driving through Haven’s Bay. I couldn't help but smile at the picturesque little town. Even on a snowy day, shoppers were out in the downtown area. The festive holiday decorations glimmered through the lightly falling snow. I was tempted to stop in at a few shops, but I decided against it. Perusing the shops could wait for a better day.
Only minutes later, I slowed to turn off the main road onto the street that would lead to my parents’ house, my old childhood home. They had moved away after I finished high school. For a while, they used the home during the summer. But a few years back, my father had a stroke. He had recovered well, but the stairs were a challenge for him. They'd emptied the house out and buttoned it up while they decided what to do. They’d finally opted to put it on the market. I was tasked with checking on the house, getting rid of any last boxes that were still here, and making sure it was ready to be put on the market.
The pace of the snow had started to pick up again, but I felt like I had my snow driving skills back up to speed. I was handling the roads like a champ until I turned into my parents’ driveway and promptly bumped into something solid. That bump sent me off track in the unplowed driveway, and I bounced into a tree on the opposite side of the drive.
The car came to a jolting stop. “Fuck,” I muttered.
My pulse had lunged ahead when I lost control. After a moment, it slowed as I realized I was merely listing to the side of the driveway. I thought I might as well see if I could back up. Putting my car in reverse, I lightly feathered the gas pedal. The tires spun on the snow. It was only then I realized I didn't even have Ian’s phone number. I had Thea’s, and I could always call a car service place.
“Dammit.” I rested my forehead against the steering wheel.
I was relieved it was early in the day, so I had plenty of time to solve my little problem. I was certain I just needed someone to pull me out of the deep snow, and I would be on my way again.
I decided against calling Thea. I knew that meant she would call Ian, and my pride wasn't ready to deal with the I-told-you-so from him. I called the car service that came with my insurance. The friendly lady on the other end of the phone told me she would see who she could get there and gave me an ETA of an hour.
“Okay, thank you,” I said through my gritted teeth.
I’d had the foresight last night to stop and get gas at the last service station on the highway before I took the exit for Haven’s Bay, so I could wait an hour or more if needed in my heated car. I had my phone, so I could even read a book. I tapped open my reading app but discovered I was too distracted to focus on the plot.
Turning on the radio, I listened to the news, but I made the mistake of checking my email and narrowed my eyes when I saw yet another email from my now former boss. I sighed. Apparently, he wanted more help with the last paper. I had no idea how that man ever got tenure, but then wasn’t that the way of the world? Hapless men succeeding from the effort of the women who did the behind-the-scenes work.
I took a deep breath, and my fingers hovered over my phone screen as I considered replying. After a moment, I had the sense to close my email and lower my phone. I actually didnotwork for him anymore. I smiled to myself. I didn't even need to reply.
The car service texted me to tell me someone could be there in the promised hour, but no sooner because they were dealing with several other calls that had come in sooner. The news rambled along as I waited. Perhaps a half an hour had passed when I heard a sound behind me.