Jazz woke to the sound of her boys talking outside her bedroom door. She peered at the clock on her nightstand. Noon. She squeezed her eyes shut. Opened them. Her boys were still arguing, and it was still five hours past when she normally woke.
Great. She jumped from the bed, tugged on shorts, and ran into the hall.
Both Seth and Levi turned in unison. They wore their sleep clothes, and their hair stood on end.
“Mom, you’re awake,” they said together.
“Yeah, I’m awake.” She cleared her throat. “Did you just wake up too?”
They nodded.
She ruffled their hair. “All right. Looks like we’re all getting a late start. Let’s go get breakfast.”
After setting them up with bowls of their favorite cereal, she grabbed the phone. Four missed calls, all from Josh. With shaky fingers, she dialed. Got his voicemail.
She left the boys to finish their breakfast and slipped into the living room to dial Josh’s parents’ house. His mom answered with a whispered greeting. Jazz gripped the phone tighter.
“Is everything okay?” Jazz asked.
“Yes. Megan’s sleeping. We don’t want to wake her and have her get upset again. She’s been having fits all morning.”
“What’s wrong? Do you need help with her?”
“Hold on.” The sounds of breathing filled the line, then Josh’s mother sighed. The honking of a car suggested where Josh’s mom had gone—outside. “Josh left, and Megan’s feeling clingy. It’s normal. She’s afraid if she can’t see Josh, she’ll lose him too. So we don’t want her to know he’s not here.”
Jazz could understand the little girl’s fear. Megan had lost her adoptive mother in a hit and run, then Tony in a fire. No wonder Megan was worried about Josh.
“Where did Josh go?”
“Back to the bar to show Susan some stuff. He plans on leaving her in charge of everything while he helps Megan adjust.”
Jazz squeezed the bridge of her nose. “I still can’t believe Tony’s gone. I saw him yesterday morning.” He’d been thrilled with the plate of cookies she’d brought and promised to save some for Megan. “Thank goodness Megan was sleeping over at Josh’s place.”
“I know. I told Tony not to buy that house. There’s a fixer-upper and there’s a death trap. He let Cindy influence him, though. She told him the place was a steal.”
“Was that the cause? Poor wiring?”
“I don’t know. The fire chief is bringing in some expert.”
She glanced toward the kitchen door. It remained closed. She lowered her voice anyway. “Do they suspect foul play?”
“Who would hurt Tony? Everybody loved him.”
“You’re right. Everyone did, but I was just wondering if that was the reason the fire chief was bringing in an expert.”
“Insurance claim, I guess. He’s young. Hasn’t seen many fires.”
“Let me know if you find out anything or need help.”
“I will. You’re like the daughter I never had.”
Jazz grinned. “That’s only because I spent so much time at your place growing up.”
“I had hoped something might happen between you and Tony, but I’m not really surprised it didn’t. Tony wouldn’t have wanted to steal you from Josh.”
“Josh and I haven’t been together in years. We’re only friends now.”
“If you say so.”
“I do. Look, I’ve got to go. Talk soon.”
“Okay, Jazz, and thank you for caring about my boys.” She hung up.
Guilt squeezed Jazz’s chest. She hadn’t meant to lead either Josh or Tony on. How shitty did it make her look, especially when she was just starting to get involved with Rafe?
If he was still interested. He might not bother contacting her again. If he didn’t, it wasn’t as if she could call him. She’d never gotten his number.
She walked into the kitchen to get her own breakfast. The phone in her hand rang. She glanced at the caller ID.
Rafe Alexander.
Her pulse kicked up. She stepped outside and answered. “Hello?”
“Hello, beautiful. Did you sleep well?”
She grinned and ran a hand over her sleep-tousled hair. Beautiful wasn’t the description she’d use, not as soon as she rolled out of bed anyway. Good thing he couldn’t see her. He’d run screaming in the opposite direction.
“I did. Actually, I just woke up.” Her breathless voice surprised her.
“You did have a late night. I’m glad I waited to call you. I didn’t want to interrupt your beauty sleep.”
Her smile widened. The man was sweet and considerate. “And how about you? Did you sleep well?”
“Hmmm, not a wink. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw yours. I’ve missed you.”
She blew out a breath and pushed the heavy weight of her hair off her shoulder. It didn’t help. Her skin burned. “I must admit I did think of you too. Once or twice.”
His deep chuckle filled the line. She reacted to the sound as if he stood behind her and held her close. Arousal sparked along her nerve endings, leaving her sensitized. She shifted the cotton top from sensitive skin.
“Once or twice isn’t good enough. I should be in your every waking thought.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I want to see you. Now.”
The demanding tone should’ve annoyed her. It didn’t. It fed her need to see him. She ran a hand over the back of her neck. “I can’t. I have so much to do, and I haven’t had a chance to call Mr. Wilkins.”
“Call him. I’ll pick you up at six.” The air of confidence he used, as if she’d agree without hesitation, was clear in his order. He was right. She couldn’t wait to see him. Talk to him. Kiss him.
“And Jasmine?”
She ran her tongue over her teeth and tugged once more at the annoying cloth rubbing against her chest. “What?”
“Plan for that sleepover,” he said and hung up.
She held the phone to her chest for a moment and conjured Rafe’s face. Her lower belly quivered. She swallowed hard and dialed Mr. Wilkins.