I’d been surprised when Jack had started flirting with me in my senior year. Though he had his pick of the blond freshmen, he’d gone for me, the brown-haired geek. I’d been studying my ass off so I could get a scholarship and get out of my house. But after that first look he’d shot my way, I forgot all about the twins, Dad’s plans to remarry, and my academic future. When Jack was in the room, life just felt better.

It’d taken little effort for him to coax me into the back seat of his car. I’d been lonely, afraid, and feeling so overwhelmed by life I could barely breathe. He had taken my virginity in his Wrangler on a hot June night. We’d dated on and off through my senior year, and when I left for college, he’d visited once. But by then my workload had grown, and away from home and high school, his allure had faded for me. I couldn’t see a future with a guy who had a record and dim prospects. After Clare died, the breakup came easily. When I told him, he said he understood. He was cool and calm, and I’d been disappointed he wasn’t more torn up.

“Hey, Brit.” He crossed the room, kissed me on the cheek. He still smelled of the same expensive aftershave. “You look fantastic.”

“And so do you.” His charm had been what had won me. “Have a seat.” I gestured to the two walnut chairs. The desk behind the chairs was expensive and had cost a good chunk of my inheritance, but it was worth it. “So, you want to talk about buying more real estate?”

“I do. I’ve come into some extra cash, and I’ve never been a fan of playing the stock market. Like I told you, I want to invest in more property.”

“I might have just the building for you,” I said.

“I’m all ears.”

“The buildings around the corner from J.J.’s Pub. Real estate in the area is reasonable now, and there’re a couple of apartment buildings that might be ripe for purchase.”

He crossed his legs, brushed imaginary lint away. “I own an apartment building in that area. It’s not super popular.”

“Which makes it a good investment. Especially since you’ve also bought the Church Hill building for the next restaurant.”

“Assuming the bottom doesn’t fall out of the real estate market,” he said, smiling.