Chapter 3 #2
“Jenna, of course you have time for that. It might be the best thing for you. Don’t let Jonathan mess up the rest of your life just because he was a scam artist.”
“I’m not ready yet, Dylan. So, don’t push me,” she snarled.
“Okay, okay. You win,” Dylan conceded. “I told Cormac he could come with us to karaoke tonight.”
“I don’t know if I want to go.” Jenna continued cleaning and avoided eye contact with her cousin.
“Why? You were fine with it earlier,” Dylan protested.
“I’m just not feeling very sociable.”
“Jenna, you can’t become a hermit. You’re going and I won’t take no for an answer. You need to lighten up and have some fun.”
Jenna wrinkled her nose and stuck her tongue out at her cousin. He was right. She really needed to get out of her own way and start living her life again. “Okay. I’ll go, but I’m not singing.”
“We’ll see about that,” Dylan chuckled.
Jenna ignored Dylan and continued her cleaning rampage through the kitchen. Not that it needed to be cleaned, but it kept her busy and it was somewhat therapeutic for her.
“You missed a spot,” Dylan was not about to leave the kitchen without making her laugh.
“Where?” she asked, seriously, eyeing the granite counter top from all angles.
“Jenna, hello … I’m kidding. Can I at least get a smile out of you?”
She forced a smile to her face. Dylan grabbed a wet towel and flicked it in her direction, spraying her with water. “Dylan … don’t. You’ll mess up the kitchen.”
“Then you’ll really have an excuse to clean,” he teased as he ran past and poked a finger in her ribs.
“Dylan, stop!” Jenna shrieked with laughter and chased after him.
“Not until you promise me you’ll smile more often.”
Dylan grabbed her around the waist and tickled her.
“I will … I promise.”
Dylan let go and she swatted at him as he ran across the kitchen laughing. He turned to head for the doorway, but was blocked by a large Highlander leaning against the doorframe.
Jenna’s laughter stopped abruptly as she took in all 6’4” of Cormac MacBayne, looking hotter than hot with a sexy half smile on his very handsome face.
“I’m sorry for interrupting yer fun. I was hoping to find something to drink.”
“Oh, I’m sorry … sure …” She was stumbling all over her words and worse yet she could feel a blush creeping up her face. “What would you like? Beer? Water? Milk?”
“Get him a beer, Jenna. He could probably use one.”
Jenna went to the refrigerator, retrieved a bottle and handed it to Cormac who looked at it like it was the most puzzling thing he had ever seen.
“Is that a twist off, Dylan? I didn’t look.”
“No. He needs a bottle opener.”
Cormac was still looking bewildered when Jenna handed him the bottle opener.
“What do I do with this, lass?”
“Are you serious?” she questioned and when he didn’t answer her, she took the bottle out of his hand and using the bottle opener removed cap. “Here you go.”
Dylan had retrieved a bottle for himself and took the opener from Jenna. He nodded at Cormac and took a swig from the bottle.
Cormac followed suit, finally realizing what he was supposed to do with the bottle.
“Don’t they have beer in bottles where you come from,” Jenna asked.
“Nay, not like this.”
“You’ll have to tell me all about … Scotland. The part you’re from, that is.” Jenna’s curiosity was peaked and she hoped to catch him in a lie and then this crazy practical joke would be over with.
“Aye. Mayhap another time, if ye dinnae mind.”
“Of course. I think I’ll go get dressed for our night on the town.”
Jenna was relieved to walk out of the kitchen.
It was getting a bit awkward in there, and hot.
She felt like she would spontaneously combust at the sight of Cormac in the doorway.
She hoped the evening would be fun and that she’d be able to relax around him.
The way he looked at her made her feel a bit shy, which she seldom was.
It was as if he was looking into her soul.
She didn’t know how she felt about that, but she planned on treating him just like she did all of her other guy friends. Yeah … right!
Cormac and Dylan exchanged knowing glances as Jenna left the kitchen.
“I think you’re getting to her, dude.”
“I would have to agree with ye. She turns a lovely shade of pink when she looks at me.”
“Keep up the good work. Although you’re not really doing much. I wish I had that effect on the ladies. Maybe you could teach me a few of your tricks.”
“I dinna use tricks, Dylan,” Cormac chuckled. “Tis just me curse to be attractive to the lasses.”
“And that is the unfortunate truth, my man.” He slapped Cormac on the back. “We’ll see how I do tonight. Maybe there’ll be a trickle-down effect from hanging with you.”
“A what?”
“I’m hoping some of your charm will rub off on me and the ladies will be all over me, like bees to honey.”
“I’ll be sure to send them yer way, as I only have eyes for yer cousin.” Cormac was starting to feel that there might be some hope. Jenna had not been quite as prickly as she had been when they first met. Mayhap Edna was on to something.
“Thanks, I appreciate the help. Do you need to get ready to go out?”
“Nay. I believe I’ll keep the clothes Edna gave me for tonight. Jenna seems to enjoy them.”