Chapter 10 #2
her warm olive skin tone. Jack’s golden-blond hair and lightly freckled skin made him the perfect counterpart for Sofia.
Jenna smiled at Jack’s reticence to dance, then chuckled a moment later when he began shuffling in a circle, his movements
as stiff as a flagpole.
“You gotta hand it to him,” Ty said as he watched the couple. “He’s keeping his word.”
“And see how happy she looks?”
“They make a good couple. How long have they been dating?”
“A few months, I guess. They bonded over their love of math.”
He made a face. “Really?”
“Yeah, it’s not something she and I have in common. But she did manage to get me through trig, so there’s that.”
“Where was she when I was in trig?”
She slid Ty a coy look. “Probably watching you date Danielle Collins.” Who was known more for her bra size than her IQ.
“That class wreaked havoc on my GPA. Maybe I should be more strategic about who I go out with.”
Jenna caught sight of Evan and Amanda dancing so closely that you couldn’t fit a feather between them.
The sight triggered her earlier feelings of rejection.
What had happened between him and Jenna?
They’d spent many hours on the phone and texting over those few weeks.
Had she bored him to death? Or had he just decided the cute, curvaceous Amanda was more to his liking?
Tyson tugged her hand. “Hey, let’s dance, Greene. I like this song.”
She’d never known him to like country ballads, but she let him lead her to the dance floor anyway. When he turned and took
her into his arms, she put her hands on his shoulders. They seemed so broad even without the suit coat he’d ditched long ago.
The white shirt stretched over his muscular arms and looked crisp against his tanned neck.
They hadn’t slow-danced all night, so she hadn’t really gotten a close-up look at him since the foyer. His angled jawline
had a bit of stubble in uneven patches. When he’d gotten that call from Sofia, he must not have had time to shave. Had been
in too big a hurry to come to her rescue. She was a modern girl—she was perfectly capable of saving herself. But it was nice
having a friend who came through when needed. The thought curved her lips into a smile.
“What?” he called over the music, fingering his jaw. “Admiring my beard?”
She laughed. “That is not a beard, buddy.”
“Well, not yet, but it will be someday.”
“Whatever you say.” She gave his shoulder a placating pat. “I’m just grateful you rescued me tonight. I thought it was going
to be an awful night, and instead I’ve had a lot of fun. You’re not a bad date, Parker.”
“You’re pretty fun yourself, Greene. Got yourself some sweet moves even.” The corner of his mouth ticked up.
Tyson had nice lips—the bottom one slightly fuller than the top.
She’d never noticed before. Oh, she knew he was good-looking.
He got his share of attention from their female classmates, and she knew of at least three girls who would’ve given anything to be his prom date.
But his on-and-off relationship with Danielle had ended on a sour note, complicating things for him at school, and he’d decided to refrain from dating the rest of the school year.
The band segued into the chorus, and Tyson spun her out dramatically, then pulled her back into his arms, making her laugh.
He’d been delighting her all night long with silly dance moves and humorous anecdotes.
She was blessed to have such a loyal friend. Their similar interests—mainly sports and the outdoors—had drawn them together.
And his extroverted disposition complemented her more introspective personality. They’d always made a great team, and she
could see them being friends well beyond high school. She hoped so. A woman would be lucky to have someone like Tyson in her
corner. Not to mention his whole family.
She pressed a little closer and linked her hands behind his neck. Without her heels the top of her head only reached his chin.
His height and muscular build made her feel small and feminine, a rarity. She might enjoy feeling strong and powerful on the
ball diamond and the volleyball court. But it was also nice to feel dainty and pretty sometimes. Beneath the ponytail and
athletic wear, she was still a girl.
As the music ramped up she caught sight of Evan and Amanda again just to her left. They were still wrapped up like a burrito,
one of Evan’s hands against the small of her back, the other scandalously low. When his gaze landed on Jenna, she jerked her
attention back to Tyson’s chest.
Was she somehow lacking whatever it was that boys liked in girls? Was that why no one asked her out? Maybe it had nothing
to do with her athleticism and everything to do with her personality. Maybe she was too dull to hold a boy’s interest.
Tyson tilted her chin upward, his eyes taking in her features and probably seeing the hurt and self-doubt that plagued her.
“Want to make him sorry he ever stood you up?”
What did Ty mean? It didn’t even matter. Of course she wanted to put Evan in his place. “How?”
A smile flickered in Tyson’s eyes before he leaned down and brushed his lips across hers. The touch of his lips should’ve
felt foreign and awkward. But his mouth was warm and inviting. His pace slow and reverent. She sank into the kiss even as
her heart stuttered.
He pulled back, then pressed her head to his chest, allowing her a moment to recover.
She’d always feared her first kiss would be unskilled and embarrassing. But it had been neither of those things. It had felt
like the most natural thing in the world. But at the same time it had also made her breath hitch and her knees wobble.
The biggest surprise—it hadn’t felt like a friend’s kiss. Whenever her mother had teased her about Tyson, Jenna had always
recoiled a little, thinking of him like that. Of them, together.
But the kiss hadn’t grossed her out at all. Not by a long shot. Maybe that’s the way kisses were with anyone. How would she
know any different? Or maybe he’d had so much experience kissing Danielle Collins that he was just that good. Strangely, the
thought pricked Jenna with jealousy.
Tyson leaned down and whispered into her ear, “Mission accomplished.”