“Yes, I figured that out the first time I met him.”
“Didn’t go well?”
Cassidy gave him a look to say it was an understatement. “Your buddy is… intense.”
Jason agreed. “He has his moments, though. He’d lay down his life for us. Would’ve for his dogs, too.”
Outside, Grady was taking her book back from Mac. Mac had taken up a position on the grass in front of the couch, leaning back on his hands. As though he sensed her looking, he turned and looked toward the house. It was a surreal moment in time, people in her space. No one other than Silas and Marge had been here since…
Since. Since, since, since…
“What did he do, your husband? Elijah, was it?”
“He was a writer. And an English teacher.”
“Did he write the book you were reading?”
“No. Why?”
“You were so engrossed you allowed three men to walk up on you.”
Cassidy pointed to Fred. “Well, some asshole broke my dog.”
Jason laughed. “I’d be pissed about that, too, but the asshole needs a friend.”
“That’s the second time I’ve heard that. I’m buying him a turtle. He can’t have my dog.”
Jason confided, “He thought you were an old couple who didn’t pay enough attention to him.”
Cassidy’s jaw dropped. “Where did he get that idea?”
Jason shrugged. “Not by looking at you.”
The compliment rolled off his tongue naturally. Cassidy allowed herself to be charmed by his easy manner. It reminded her of Elijah, and she was both comforted and hurt by it. Cassidy handed him two glasses and instructed, “Take these to your friends.”
“I’ve embarrassed you,” he stated.
Ducking her head, she took up her glass and started to walk around him.
He stepped in front of her, halting her progress. “I don’t want to embarrass you.”
“I’m okay. It’s been a minute since…” She let out a breath. “Thank you for the compliment.”
“You shouldn’t have to go two years without hearing something nice,” he said seriously.
“Hm. Well, it’s just me in my book club.” She smiled, trying to pass it off as a joke.
“I’ll join.”
Laughing, she moved past him.
Outside, Cassidy once more sensed herself the center of her neighbor’s blazing attention. She wanted to tell herself it was the dog he was interested in—his new, stolen best friend—but it was her that his brooding gaze roamed over. He didn’t appear to be missing a detail. Was he noticing how her romper hung on her, how the material clung to her barely-existent curves? His gaze dipped between her breasts and cascaded off her hips, following the swishing of the fabric against her upper thighs as she walked. She’d never considered being self-conscious until he looked at her.
Passing him, she fought not to look at him, but it was impossible. She wanted to keep an eye on the snake that appeared ready to strike. He watched her, tossing an assessing look at Jason, then back at her. She moved past him, handing Grady a drink before taking a seat next to him.
“Thanks,” Grady said, still holding the book. He waved it in the air. “Not into light reading, are you?”
Jason passed a drink down to Mac before he reclaimed the chair, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees.