Man, she was good-looking. And so much fun. The air around her always crackled with energy and joy and carefree abandon, easing the heaviness in his heart. In her presence, life was happy again.

As it would be forever if she said yes.

He started forward—but halted as a tall, sandy-haired dude emerged onto the terrace from the house.

Scowling, Jack retreated behind the fern. Dirk Mason had been hanging around all summer, taking Christi to the multitude of charity and social events she attended. A convenient escort, nothing more, according to her—and an excellent smoke screen for their relationship while she softened up her dad, who might not approve of her dating someone with a less-than-stellar pedigree.

But if all went well, Mason was about to become history—and Christi’s father would have to accept that he couldn’t control his daughter’s choice of men.

“Good morning, beautiful.” Mason descended the steps to the pool.

Christi angled toward him with a smile. “Morning. Did Angie let you in?”

“Yes. You have a most agreeable housekeeper.” He dropped onto the edge of the chaise lounge beside hers. “I was passing by and thought I’d see if you were free for dinner tonight.”

Jack folded his arms, lips curving up. This ought to be interesting.

“Sorry, no. I already have plans.”

“Another hot date?”

“You know better.”

“Do I?” He leaned forward, hands clasped between his knees, a hint of anger in his question. “I’ve heard rumors you’ve been seeing a gardener on the sly.”

Jack’s mouth flattened. The man wasn’t making any secret of his derision for manual labor.

“Where did you hear that?” Christi removed her sunglasses.

“From a reputable source who spotted the two of you getting cozy.”

“Dirk!” She sat up straighter. “Are you jealous?” Christi’s chiding tone suggested that notion was absurd.

A wave of unease swept through Jack.

“Should I be?”

In answer, she swung her legs to the ground, rose, and sat close beside Mason.

Thigh-to-thigh close.

Jack fisted his hands at his sides.

Instead of responding with words, she draped her arms around Mason’s neck, tugged his head down, and kissed him.

Thoroughly.

After they came up for air, Christi gave a throaty laugh. “Does that answer your question?”

Despite the heat, an arctic chill blasted through Jack’s heart. That intimate, you’re-the-only-one-for-me inflection should have been reserved for him.

“I don’t know.” Mason played with a few strands of her hair. “My source was trustworthy.”