“We’re not serious. We’re just seeing each other. And it’s just dinner.”
“But it’s dinner with the family,” Tara said. “That’s a big deal.”
“You’ve never invited someone over before,” her mother reminded her.
No, she hadn’t, and precisely for this reason. The inquisition.
“Look, it’s not a big deal. We’re just friends. And Ty’s been over here already, so it’s not like he’s meeting everyone for the first time.”
Liz snorted as she walked in. “You and Ty are more than friends. Mom, you should see the sparks coming off the two of them when they’re in the same room. You’re going to need potholders when Jenna’s around Ty, because she’ll be on fiyah.”
“You are so not funny.” Where was her sister support system when she really needed them?
Liz hugged her, then Tara. “What can I do to help?”
“Make some tea?” Mom asked.
“Sure.”
The topic switched to Gavin and how he was doing in Florida. Jenna was glad not to be the focus of attention.
Until the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it,” she hollered, swinging off the barstool and wiping her hands on the towel.
But by the time she hurried down the hall, Nathan had already let Tyler in and had led him into the living room. Her dad was already engaging him in hockey conversation.
“Hey,” she said, tucking her hands into the back pockets of her jeans.
He looked delectable this afternoon in his faded jeans and sweater. He had a bouquet of wildflowers in his hands.
“Hey yourself.”
“Are those for me?”
“No, they’re for your mother.”
Her dad cast a big grin in her direction.
Her heart tumbled over and over. “Oh. Well, come on back to the kitchen.”
“Don’t keep him in there with you women too long,” her dad said.
“I won’t.”
They walked down the hall and Ty stopped her midway, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her until she was breathless. When he pulled away, he said, “I figured that might be my only chance today.”
Her body opened to him, warmed by the kiss and being near him. “Thank you. You’ve made my day.”
He took her hand and they walked into the kitchen, but she released his hand as soon as three sets of very curious eyes landed on them.
“Tyler. How nice to see you again,” her mom said.
“Mrs. Riley. I brought these for you.”
“Suck-up,” Liz whispered.
Tyler turned to her and winked.
“Oh, they’re beautiful. Thank you. And call me Kathleen.” She went up to Ty and placed her hands on his face, then kissed his cheek. “Why don’t you reach up above the cabinets and grab that vase for me.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
He got the vase and her mother filled it with water.
“I’ll arrange them for you, Mom,” Tara said, taking over for her.
“Tyler, why don’t you go on into the living room with the guys. We’ll be eating in a little while.”
He looked at Jenna, who nodded. Then he shocked the hell out of her by leaning over and brushing his lips across hers.
“See you in a bit,” he whispered against her lips before disappearing.
“Well.” Her mother crossed her arms, wooden spoon in hand. “Just seeing each other, huh? No big deal, huh?”
“I don’t know about the rest of you, but it just got a little warmer in here,” Tara said.
“Told you so.” Liz planted a smug smile on her face.
Jenna looked at all of them and shrugged. “Okay, maybe it’s a little more than that.”
“Oh, it’s a lot more than that,” her mother said.
“I’ll say. You nearly swooned right off the stool when he kissed you,” Tara said, fanning herself with a napkin. “And the rest of us were swooning right along with you.”
Liz narrowed her gaze at Jenna. “You’re in love with him.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Why the denial, Jenna? What are you running from?” Her mother came around the island and turned Jenna around to face her. “Is there some problem with the relationship? With Ty?”
She so didn’t want to have this conversation. Not now, and especially not with her mother. “There’s nothing wrong with the relationship, or with Ty. We’re just not in love.”
“De-ni-al,” Liz said, enunciating each syllable slowly. “Ty sure acts like he’s in love.”
“He does? How can you tell?”
“A man does not kiss a woman in front of that woman’s mother unless he has genuine, serious feelings for that woman,” Tara said.
Liz nodded. “Totally.”
Jenna’s gaze shifted to her mother, who was nodding right along with them. “I’d have to agree with the girls. That boy has it bad for you.”
She couldn’t help the little thrill that snaked its way through her nerve endings.
Ty, in love with her?
No. That was just something Mom, Tara, and Liz inferred from the kiss. It wasn’t true. He’d never said a word about love.