“We met earlier before you went for a ride with your friend.”

“I went for a ride?”

“Yes, you went to look at the sunset.”

“I do love a good sunset.”

“You should come to the Southeast Light sometime. It’s the best place for a sunset.”

“What’s your name again?”

“Jenny. I’m a friend of Alex’s and Paul’s.”

Marion took a small bite of her lasagna. “My boys always had nice friends and lots of pretty girls around. The girls have always liked them.”

Jenny bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing.

“Mom, what’re you telling her?” Paul asked.

“None of your business,” Marion said with a wink for Jenny that made her laugh. “It’s girl talk.” She stared at Jenny for a long moment. “Tell me your name again. I have trouble remembering.”

“Jenny.”

“And you’re friends with my boys?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Are you dating one of them?”

“I, um…” Where was Alex when she needed him?

“She’s dating me, Mom,” Alex said as he came into the kitchen, wearing a pair of plaid shorts with a navy polo shirt. His wet hair had been combed into submission, his face was freshly shaved, and he smelled amazing as he joined her at the counter.

When he declared their relationship in front of his mother, brother and Adam, Jenny’s heart had tripped into double time. His hand on her lower back was reassuring and arousing at the same time. She had to remind herself to breathe.

“She’s very pretty,” Marion said.

“I think so, too,” Alex said with a smile for Jenny that made her melt.

She couldn’t believe the effect he had on her just by walking into the room fresh from the shower. She’d spent the entire afternoon with Paul and Adam, two exceptionally good-looking men in their own right, and hadn’t experienced so much as a flutter of interest for either of them. But the second Alex walked in the door, her entire body had woken up to take notice. The powerful reactions he inspired in her were exciting and frightening at the same time.

Adam checked his watch. “I hate to say it, but I’ve got somewhere to be. Can we continue this tomorrow?”

“Sure,” Paul said, defeat radiating from him. “I have a town council meeting tonight anyway, so I’ve got to get going.”

Alex’s hand curled around Jenny’s hip as he uttered one word. “Damn.”

It occurred to her that Alex hadn’t known about Paul’s meeting when he made plans for their date.

“You’ll be home tonight, right?” Paul asked Alex after he saw Adam out.

“Yep. No problem.”

“I’ll be home by ten if you want to go out later,” Paul said with a teasing wink for Jenny and Alex as he headed for the hallway.

“Bite me,” Alex said, making Jenny laugh.