An odd sensation stirs in my chest. She’s learning Sign Language for my grandfather. I can’t form coherent words. I’m overcome with … with what, exactly? No one’s ever done something like that for him. For me.

Silence descends while we stare at one another.

Raegan is so insanely beautiful. Her nose and cheeks are rosy from the chill in the air. My jacket swallows her body, making her look even smaller than usual. I’m tempted to reach out and run my fingers through her silky blond waves, brush my lips against hers.

And the way Raegan’s gaze keeps finding its way to my lips tells me she might want me to.

Raegan steps closer to me, and I lean in on instinct. I’m powerless, stuck in the gravitational pull of her green eyes. Why do I have to be so damn attracted to her? Am I that weak of a man? My body is at war with my mind, both of them pulling me in opposite directions.

Raegan stretches onto her toes, and my heart slams against my chest. She reaches up … to pick a leaf out of my hair. Then she slips off my jacket and hands it back to me.

“Have a good night, Jaxon.”

I say nothing, rooted to the ground, watching her walk into the parking lot.

Wondering what the hell just happened.

“I can’t believe you drank the coffee! That’s like the oldest trick in the book.”

I glare at Dan across the table. I’m with the guys for a much-needed happy hour, and I just filled them in on what’s been going on with Raegan.

Dan clutches his stomach as he doubles over. “That girl is a genius.”

I rub my temples in small circles. “And the craziest part of this whole thing? My gut keeps telling me that Raegan’s telling the truth. But if that’s true, then what happened to the ring?” I take a long swig from my beer bottle. “It had to be her, right?”

Smith shrugs. “Maybe this is why she’s divorced. She’s a nut bag.”

“She might be a kleptomaniac,” Shaun says. “If that’s the case, it’s a disease and she can’t help it.”

“You said she has a group of friends.” Smith’s eyes narrow. “Have you tried talking to them?”

My eyebrows lift. “Would you guys rat me out if I stole something?”

“No, but girls aren’t always tight-lipped about things. Maybe one of them will slip and give you a clue.”

“What about other co-workers? People who’ve worked with her for a long time but don’t necessarily have allegiance to her?” Dan asks, finally recovered from his laughing fit.

I ponder that while I drain the rest of my beer. “She seems pretty chummy with the gym teacher.”

“I bet your brother is having a field day with this,” Shaun says.