“I know. And no, I sent that before I even got here to face that. I was traumatized from failed dress shopping and weird beauty appointment experiences in Savannah after a lunch with Colt where he basically ended our non-relationship.”

Jazz’s eyes widened again, and her mouth wrapped around her straw.

I snorted. “If I’d known how actually traumatizing the rest of the evening was going to be, I wouldn’t have blown through that word so flippantly. Oh and your friend Ashley was here, promising sexual favors to Jack as she practically licked his ear.” She probably did actually lick it. God. I shuddered.

“Holy shit,” Jazz hissed. “That girl’s an STD waiting to happen, if it hasn’t already. Trust me. Tell me nothing happened there.” Jazz grabbed my hand and squeezed.

“No, thank God.”

“But, he was obviously behaving like an ass right in front of you. I need to hear everything from the beginning.”

Jazz waited with me until the end of my shift, and then we made our way to my house. I scrounged out a tin of Mrs. Weaton’s leftover pecan pie and warmed it on two plates in the microwave.

“God, boys can be so dumb sometimes,” Jazz offered as I described everything that had taken place since our middle of the night phone call where I’d told her Jack was back. “If he wasn’t doing anything with those girls in England, why did he re-create that whole scene by hanging out with Ashley and her friends?”

“I know, right?” I shook my head and added more ice cream to my pie. “Do you think he really didn’t sleep with anyone since he last saw me?” I asked Jazz.

“Damn, maybe.”

“But there’s tons he could have done without having to do the … actual deed,” I muttered morosely, thinking of Ashley’s offer to him last night.

“True,” said Jazz, and then her eyes went round, her mouth stretching wide and downturned in a parody of worry. “My God, maybe you have a magic vajayjay, and you’ve … ruined him,” she whispered the last part in mock horror.

I choked on my mouthful.

Jazz went on dramatically, “Like, forever. Goodness, the poor guy must be desperate. Can you imagine?”

Jazz could hardly make it through the last word of her sentence because we both got a fit of giggles.

“Or maybe he just developed erectile dysfunction.”

“In which case you probably don’t want him anyway.”

The back screen door banged, interrupting our mirth. “It’s nothing to laugh at girls.” Joey’s voice came from behind us, making us jump. “It’s a real medical condition. And it sure is good to know that you all don’t grow up much while I’m away.”

“Joey!” I leapt up to hug him. “What are you doing home?”

“Thought I’d surprise my best girl,” he said, putting his duffle bag down and catching me. He looked handsome in jeans and a blue button down. Brown leather cowboy boots peaked out at his ankles. His blond hair was longer and shaggier than usual.

“And make sure I wasn’t jumping into Jack’s arms?”

“And that.” He hugged me back. “Jazz,” he acknowledged her over my head. “Anyway, I just have studying to do for the next few days, but I can do it here as well as there.”

“Jazz just got back from Florida with Brandon,” I added for her sake.

“Hey, Joey,” Jazz chirped breezily and cleared her throat. “Well, we were just discussing Jack, so since he has that ‘medical condition,’ Keri Ann is probably safe.”

“And how might you all know that he has this condition?” Joey asked.

“We’re surmising. Despite all evidence to the contrary, apparently he’s been celibate since the last time he saw your sister.”

Joey snorted with disbelief. “Yeah, right.”

“Well, it’s either that or you may have to face that Jack’s going after Keri Ann for real.” Jazz’s proclamation sobered us all. “Sometimes, people just know what they want,” she added, and I knew she just couldn’t help herself around Joey.

I swallowed.

“Or he’s lying,” said Joey. “You girls are way too trusting of men. Guys often just want one thing and will say anything to get it.”

“Us girls are too trusting? Or girls in general?” Jazz snapped at Joey. “And guys in general say anything to get it, or guys like you?”

Whoa.

Jazz slumped back against her kitchen chair then hissed a breath through her teeth as her burned back made contact. “Ow.”

Joey stepped forward and caught himself. “What’s the matter?”

I smirked.

“I got burned, it’s nothing.” Jazz winced.

Joey went around behind her. “Shit, that’s not good. When did this happen?”

“Yesterday afternoon. I fell asleep in the sun,” Jazz muttered. “It’s fine really. The Lidocaine I sprayed on earlier before the drive up must be wearing off.”

“What the hell? Wasn’t your … wasn’t Bradford, or whatever, supposed to be with you?” I knew full well he knew the name of Jazz’s boyfriend.

“Brandon!” Jazz and I yelled. And looked at each other. “Of the chocolate-brown eyes!” we chorused and busted out laughing again.

“Have you all been drinking?” Joey asked.

Still chuckling, I went to the pantry cupboard and pulled the first-aid basket down. I rummaged around and found more Lidocaine and some Soothing Aloe. “Catch,” I called to Joey and tossed the items at him.

Joey caught them, flawlessly, one after the other. “I’m not—”

“He’s not—”

“Yep, you are. I’m going to shower the Grill off me. Then, let’s order pizza and watch a movie.”

I headed for the stairs and heard Jazz murmur as if bored, “Fine, let’s see what you’ve got Doctor Butler.”

“You did always make me want to play Doctor, Miss Fraser,” Joey returned, and I almost tripped on the stairs in surprise. It was usually Jazz teasing and trying to goad him, and I’d never heard him playing along. I’d have given anything to see Jazz’s face right then. Perhaps Colt was right, a bit of healthy competition did work wonders.

The first thing that struck me upon waking the next morning was that I’d made a mistake with Jack. I knew it down to the depths of my Carolina girl soul. The same way I knew it was time to look for sea turtle nests without checking the calendar.

Struggling to pull myself from the arms of slumber, as it seduced me with the promise of going back to emotion-less oblivion, sounds and smells from downstairs penetrated my consciousness. Coffee, bacon, and something sweet promised me a reward for facing these complicated emotions.

How could I possibly feel guilt at hurting Jack after what he put me through? But there it was clear as day. I felt guilt when I thought back to his expression, his beautiful eyes that looked so shattered. Twice since he’d come back only days ago, I’d taken his declarations and carelessly thrown them back in his face. God, but I was right to do it. Right to protect myself. What if I gave him a chance and ended up back where I’d been months ago?

And seriously, that whole stunt with Devon and him hanging out at the Grill signing autographs … was that what my future looked like? Being in the spotlight was hard enough with my art, imagine being photographed as Jack Eversea’s girlfriend? Being judged as to whether I was good enough for him, what I had that others didn’t? I shuddered. No, thank you.