Still not convinced this was a good idea, she retrieved the phone from her purse.

“Ready to take dictation?” Syd asked.

“Are you always this bossy?”

“Only when it serves a good purpose. Get the text ready.”

Jenny typed his name into the text screen. “It’s ready.”

“Ask him if he’s interested in a lunch delivery.”

Shaking her head, Jenny sighed. Any interest in a lunch delivery?

Her phone chimed almost immediately in response. I’m already starving so that sounds awesome. I’m working at the Chesterfield estate today. You know where that is?

I know where it is. Any special requests?

Surprise me.

Ok. See you soon.

Can’t wait.

Sydney was standing next to Jenny, reading the texts as they were sent and received. “I think I might be in love with this guy, too.”

“Hands off. You’ve got your own hot guy to love.”

“Yes, I do, and Alex is all yours.” She gave Jenny a tight one-armed hug. “I’m so happy this is happening for you.”

“Stop jinxing me.”

Sydney laughed. “Thanks for telling me about him.”

“Thanks for listening. I’ve been dying to tell someone for days now.”

“You should invite him to the shower on Saturday. We’re inviting the guys to pay them back for all the times they’ve crashed girls’ night out. We figured making them attend a sex-toy-and-lingerie party was the very least of what they deserve.”

“Oh my God, I love that! But I don’t know if I’m ready to expose Alex to a sex-toy party and our crowd at the same time.”

“It’ll be a good test,” Sydney said with a smirk.

“I’ll think about it.” She gave her friend a hug. “Thank you so much for listening.”

“Any time. You and I share an unfortunate bond, so I’m glad you came to me.”

“There was no one else I could’ve gone to. I knew you’d tell me exactly what to do.”

“Of course I want to hear every detail of how lunch goes.” Sydney walked her to the door. “It’ll be hard to tell him the story, but once you do, you’ll feel better. I promise.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I’m always right. Ask Luke.”

“I’ll do that,” Jenny said on her way out the door. “Next time I see him.” Sydney’s laughter followed her down the sidewalk. Bolstered by her friend’s support, Jenny drove into town and picked up sandwiches, drinks, chips, cookies and fruit at the grocery store. In deference to the heat, she also got him two bottles of water and a bag of ice to keep everything cold.

Giddy with excitement at the thought of seeing him, she set off for the Chesterfield estate, determined to tell him what he needed to know about her and then get back to enjoying what was happening between them.

Chapter 13

Chapter 13