“I actually figured it out weeks ago but didn’t want to accept it,” Jack said. “You drive me crazy and yet I can’t seem to stay away. That is a simple fact. I’m incapable of ignoring how I feel when you’re around … or when I think of you … or when I even hear your name.”
My cheeks burned at his admission, my mind busy.
“Welcome to my world, man.” Aric patted Jack’s shoulder as he moved past him to stare out the window. “Oh, Zoe is doing a little dance to taunt the prisoners. She’s such a gem.”
I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing … or crying … at Jack’s earnest expression. “I don’t think I understand what you’re saying, Jack,” I said finally. “I need it spelled out.”
Jack made a weary sound in the back of his throat. “Of course you do. I should’ve known you wouldn’t make this easy.”
“Women are never easy,” Aric called out, his gaze still focused out the window. “But if you find the right one they’re more than worth the effort it takes to keep up with them.”
“Why is Mom singing?” Sami asked, appearing at Aric’s side. “Does that mean she’s in a good mood?”
“You’re still grounded,” Aric replied. “Don’t think you’re getting out of that.”
“I ordered her a cookie and the cinnamon sticks.”
“Well, that might work.”
To my utter surprise, Jack smiled as he watched the interplay. “You need it spelled out?”
I breathlessly nodded.
“Okay. I guess that’s fair. This might be the head injury talking – although I think it’s a lot more than that – but I want to give it a try. I don’t want to fight tooth and nail to stay away from you because it’s become clear that I’m fighting a losing battle.”
“So … you and me … um … .”
“He’s saying he wants to date you,” Sami interjected, making a face. “How do you not get that?”
Aric flicked her ear. “Mind your own business.”
“They’re doing their business in my kitchen,” Sami protested.
“My kitchen,” Aric corrected. “We let you live here out of the goodness of our hearts. You’re a tenant.”
“And they’re going to kiss.” Sami stared hard as Jack leaned in close and stole my breath. “He’s kind of hot, huh? I want a boyfriend who looks like him when I get older.”
“You’re not dating until you’re thirty.”
“Mom says I can date when I’m fourteen.”
The last thing I heard as Jack’s lips pressed against mine – other than the fluttering of my own heart – was Aric’s growled response.
“You’re definitely grounded, kid. I’m going to let your mother go nuts for a change when it comes to punishment.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Life isn’t fair.”
I agreed with her. Life isn’t fair. As I sank into the kiss, though, I had to wonder why I should care. Life often works in mysterious ways, and this was no exception.
It was time for an entirely new adventure, and I couldn’t wait to see what was around the next corner.
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About the Author
I want to thank everyone who takes the time to read my novels. I have a particular brand of humor that isn’t for everyone – and I know that.
If you liked the book, please take a few minutes and leave a review. An independent author does it all on their own, and the reviews are helpful. I understand that my characters aren’t for everyone, though. There’s a lot of snark and sarcasm in my world – and I know some people don’t like that.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
For more information:
author@amandamlee.net
Books by Amanda M. Lee
An Avery Shaw Mystery
Who, What, Where, When, Die
If it Bleeds, it Leads
Buried Leads
Shot Off The Presses
The Preditorial Page
Misquoted & Demoted
Headlines & Deadlines
Misprints & Mistakes
Bylines & Skylines
Off the Record
Unwritten & Underwater
Extra! Extra! Dead All About It
A Wicked Witches of the Midwest Mystery
Any Witch Way You Can
Every Witch Way But Wicked
Witching You Were Here
Witching on a Star
Something to Witch About
Witch Me Luck
Life’s a Witch
Charms & Witchdemeanors
The Trouble With Witches
Murder Most Witchy
A Witch Before Dying
A Breath of Witchy Air
Careful What You Witch For
Wicked Brew
On a Witch and a Prayer
You Only Witch Once
The Christmas Witch
Bewitched
A Solstice Celebration
Witchdependence Day
Happy Witchgiving
Merry Witchmas
Four-Leaf Clover
Thistle While You Work
Landon Calling
I Dream of Twila
How Aunt Tillie Stole Christmas
A Wicked Witches of the Midwest Fantasy
Witchy Tales
A Witch In Time
Make A Witch
A Witchmas Carol
All My Witches
An Aisling Grimlock Mystery
Grim Tidings
Grim Offerings
Grim Discovery
Grim Reunion
Grim Expectations
Grim Holiday
Grim Rising
Grim Tempest
Grimlock Family Shorts
Grim & The City
Now & Grim
A Mystic Caravan Mystery
Freaky Days
Freaky Lies
Freaky Hearts
Freaky Games
Freaky Places
A Charlie Rhodes Cozy Mystery
The Bigfoot Blunder
The Chupacabra Catastrophe
A Moonstone Bay Cozy Mystery
Witchin’ USA
Covenant College
Awakening
Whispering
Conjuring
Waxing & Waning
Graduating
Living Covenant Trilogy
Rising Covenant
Dark Covenant
Eternal Covenant
Dying Covenant Trilogy
Haunted Covenant
Desperate Covenant
Everlasting Covenant