Stacey Joy Netzel Boxed Set by Stacey Joy Netzel Page B

when she asked what I’d been doing since graduation, I told her
about my management position at my uncle’s trucking company. You
know, real scintillating conversation.
    “I run into Jenna from time to time if I
fill in on a delivery to where she works,” I said. “She told me
you’re doing well for yourself with your own business as a
copywriter?”
    “Yes, and I’m the best boss I’ve ever had,”
she told me with a laugh. “I never get mad when I’m late to work
and I get vacation whenever I ask.”
    “Sound’s ideal.”
    I pulled into the garage, but before I could
get around the front of the truck to help her, she’d already
stepped down off the running board. So I unlocked the inside house
door and stood aside for her to go first. Nerves got me all of a
sudden. What would she think of the home I’d designed and built
myself? Would she notice it was just me? That there was no ring on
my left hand?
    Because I’d definitely noticed there wasn’t
one on hers. Once again, thank you, Meg.
    I pointed past the open kitchen. “Living
room’s through there. Can I get you anything? A drink or
something?”
    “No, thanks.”
    Her heels clicked across the ceramic kitchen
tile and I took one step inside before Meg’s threats broke through
the spell Summer had cast. A glance down at the mud caking my boots
confirmed I’d better not chance it. I side-stepped to remove them
in the mudroom right off the kitchen and I hung up my jacket on a
hook instead of tossing it across the kitchen counter.
    Was that where Meg and Tony—
    Nope.
Refocus .
    Summer was standing near the couch when I
hurried past the island counter in the kitchen and crossed into the
living room.
    “I just need about fifteen minutes to shower
and change, so make yourself at home,” I told her.
    At the entrance to the hallway, I caught the
corner of the wall with one hand and paused. She faced me without
her jacket on and I got a good look at her short black dress, with
its clingy, curve-hugging material, those long legs and the black
sandals I’d saved from the mud.
    Hell,
yeah , Summer looked great.
    Realizing how blatant my appraisal had
become, I swept my gaze up. “Sure I can’t get you anything?” I
repeated like an idiot.
    Despite heightened color in her cheeks, she
gave me a cool smile. “I’m good.”
    Move your ass
man . I gave an abrupt nod and quick-tapped
the wall. “Right. I’ll be back.”
    I hurried through my shower, trying not to
think of her in the other room or my sister’s comments about the
unused condoms in my bedside drawer. After toweling my hair, a
quick inspection confirmed I could get away without shaving and I
headed into my room to dress. I grabbed a dark pair of jeans, belt
and a white button-up shirt as I wondered again about Summer’s bare
left hand.
    If I were to believe Jenna’s information
from awhile back, Summer should’ve been sporting a big rock on her
finger. Either Jenna had lied, which wouldn’t surprise me, or
Summer was no longer planning a wedding. Easy deductions, because
Jenna still hated me, and even I knew engaged women took every
opportunity to show off their diamond rings. No way she’d leave
that puppy in the jewelry box for our class reunion when the rest
of her was dressed to impress.
    I finished tying the laces on my black boots
and returned to the living room with a suit jacket in hand. From
behind the couch, I peeked over her shoulder to see the TV Guide
listing for Friday night. “Anything good on?”
    She jumped and swiveled to face me with a
small embarrassed laugh.
    “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
    “Quite the carpet you’ve got.”
    She set the magazine back
on the table and stood. I had to consciously keep my gaze from
shifting downward. Only in doing so, I caught her giving me the once-over. I felt
a definite up-tick in my pulse at the possibility she might be
interested.
    “Hope I wasn’t too long.”
    She waved her hand, silver bracelets
clinking