Chapter Twenty-Nine
He had been jealous as hell. Funny how spending this time alone with Wren had made Jeff forget about the numerous men in her past.
They walked through the hallway where the management live-in apartments were located, heading through the exit to the parking lot outside.
“I can’t make any promises,” she said softly. “But you more or less knew that already. What I can admit is that I’d never cheat on anyone I’m dating, no matter what the tabloids have said. That also means that I can’t tolerate cheating in any man I date, which was the reason I broke up with Vin. Although it was more than that. He was using me. Most guys are, you know. But the longer it goes on, the more I get tired of it, so that’s when I put an end to it. It’s just the way it seems to go in celebrity relationships. At least the ones that I’ve been in.”
“Fair enough,” Jeff said gruffly, nodding his understanding.
“Are we good?” she asked, smiling.
Bending over, he quickly kissed her.
“I guess that answers my question,” she said, walking beside him toward her SUV. “I loaded the rest of my things earlier, so we’re good to go.”
“How about taking a ride in the cruiser when we get back? And then I thought we could grill out and maybe even go over some of your music if you’d like.”
“Yes,” she answered, unlocking the SUV and stepping inside. “I like the sound of a nice relaxing night at home.”
Home? Jeff blinked.
“Lead on,” she said, grinning as she rolled down the window, revving up the engine.
* * *
The night was pretty much perfect after a somewhat stressful afternoon, Jeff decided.
She looked so sexy in her oversized sunglasses, lazing back in the cruiser wearing some kind of designer bathing suit that was meant more for a photo op than swimming.
He gave her a short tour around the huge perimeter of Crystal Rock Lake, pointing out the music camp along with the Inn and several other resorts scattered along the lakefront.
It was a Friday, so there were a lot of boats out on the lake. Jeff even recognized Sam, who was skiing with a bunch of friends in one of the calmer channels near the bay.
Honking his horn, Sam did a double take when he saw Jeff with Wren. Noticing the crazy looking grin on Sam’s face once Jeff waved, Jeff had a feeling that Sam had his binoculars out as they headed away.
After spending over an hour touring Crystal Rock Lake along with two of the others that were connected, Jeff headed back under the bridge leading to Stone Lake, idling into the boathouse shortly after.
“Hopefully, you like grilled chicken,” he said as they headed up the pathway.
“I do,” she replied, “Although, I’ll admit, I haven’t had it for years.”
“What do you regularly eat?” he asked curiously.
She grimaced. “You wouldn’t want to know. Everything’s pretty boring and meant to maintain my weight. That’s why it’s nice to be working out again and getting some dancing in while I’m at it.”
Emily Richardson had invited Wren to work at the music camp with her favorite choreographer since it was out of session until fall.
“I’ll be able to start using your weight room tomorrow without having to lighten up too much when it comes to my regular workout. I’ve been having a little cramping in my calves since I started working with the choreographer.” She grimaced. “But Mia Erickson is brilliant – her dance sequences are so unique. Her husband Noah is going to be one of my backup musicians for the video. And no, Mia and I aren’t related, she said, since I’m sure you already know that her maiden name is Matthews. She told me that the first thing she did when she heard that she would be working with me was to check out her family tree.”
They laughed.
It really was a magical night, Jeff decided. There was no doubt in his mind that tonight they’d be making love. He supposed he should have been nervous, but for some reason, he wasn’t. She had a calming way about her, and he instinctively knew that whatever they had together would never be a mistake, no matter what the future might bring.