My brother has no social media, so I couldn't try and take a peek to see if there was a Jensen on his friends list. I went so far as digging into the gossip columns on websites to see if my brother was mentioned with someone named Jensen. There was nothing and I only have the one picture. I’m crafting my own story for Jensen inside my head and right now he’s single.
If he does have a girlfriend, wouldn’t he be with her on Thanksgiving? I have the same silly battle back and forth in my head and I keep coming up with different reasons for why he is or isn’t with his perfect girlfriend. Who I hate.
Maybe I need to date. I haven't done it because there’s a fear deep inside of me that I can’t. I’m focusing in on Jensen because it’s a safe fantasy and I know nothing will come of it. My brother would lose it if he thought I had interest in his friend, so I shake my head, not wanting to go down that road. I’ve got enough people analyzing my every move since the attack that I’m not going to do it to myself, too.
I hadn't brought up the topic of dating with my parents because I knew it would get them worked up. I’ve only recently gotten them comfortable with me living here, but it’s time. I want to fall in love and make a few dozen babies. The flutter I get when I look at Jensen’s picture is new and exciting, and I’ve never felt that way before.
I missed so much after the attack and I didn’t go to college. The story was salacious with two extremely rich and powerful families at the center of it all. The media was a nightmare and the details were everywhere. I didn't even want to leave the house back then, so I decided to skip college and help my dad with his company. I’ve been doing that ever since and haven’t exactly had the opportunity to meet a man working from home with my family.
Once again, my mind drifts back to Jensen as I pull the first batch of cookies out of the oven. I take a deep breath, loving the sweet smell of cinnamon and fall. Christmas is coming and the stir of anticipation is all around me. It’s my favorite time of year and I love to cook. My stomach growls and I know I should wait for them to cool, but I can’t stop myself. I take a bite of the hot cookie and I moan at the flavor.
I turn when I hear my cell phone ring in the distance. I must have laid in down in the laundry room. I put the half-eaten cookie down and walk out of the kitchen. From the sound of the ring, I know it’s my brother calling me.
When I walk through the living room I stop when I see the broad back of a man in a suit. At my small gasp of surprise, he turns and my eyes land on Jensen. He’s even more handsome than the picture, and bigger, too. In fact, that look on his face is impossibly more annoyed than the one my brother sent. Everything about him is more than I anticipated, but nothing prepared me for the raw attraction that’s pulling me towards him.
Chapter Two
JENSEN
“There’s no way I’m making it to the house before you. Take my key and I’ll meet you there,” Brian says as he slaps his keys in my hands and goes back to sending an email.
“It’s fine. I can stay,” I say, looking down at the set of keys.
“There’s no point in both of us having to wait on the builder. My dad should be here any second and he’s going to give me the plans. I’ll be fifteen minutes behind you, tops. That will give you enough time to say hey to Sage and settle in.”
I feel the grumble of complaint climb up my throat and he holds up his hand to stop me.
“You’re not getting a hotel. My place has more than enough bedrooms, and it will give us a chance to go over work stuff this weekend.”
“I said one night.” I can’t keep the irritation out of my voice.
“No, you agreed to come to my family Thanksgiving dinner for one night. You’re staying at my place until Sunday.”
I clench my teeth and feel my jaw pop. I want to protest, but he’s right. I just thought I could get him to agree that it was only one night and it would be my excuse to get out of there. It’s not that I don’t appreciate his hospitality, but I don’t like being anyone’s charity case.
“Stop doing that or you’re going to break a tooth,” he says, not looking up from his screen.