The Trouble With J.J. by Tami Hoag

starting to believe it. That Genna wasn’t very happy about it didn’t faze Jared. He was finally winning her over. Her defenses were wearing down and momentum was on his side. Genna was a woman witha good head on her shoulders; sooner or later she’d admit she’d been wrong about him and give in to his charm. He hoped.
    She needed time to get used to the idea. If he pushed her, she’d probably tell him to take a hike. He’d promised her a no-strings romance. He wasn’t sure that was what he wanted anymore, but he would have to pretend it was true for a while.
    Alyssa singled out a red corduroy jumper and insisted she’d wear it every day forever and ever. After she and Genna returned from the fitting room, and Jared paid for the dress, it was added to the bunch of packages in their shopping bag.
    “Can I get a new nightie to wear to Courtney’s house tonight, Daddy?” she asked as they came to a row of nightgowns.
    A worried frown tugged at Jared’s features. He stooped down by his daughter and brushed at her black bangs. “Are you sure you want to stay overnight at Courtney’s house, Lyss?”
    Alyssa’s blue eyes begged as eloquently as her voice. “Yes, Daddy, please let me stay. I’m a big girl!”
    “I know you are, sweetheart.” Jared sighed.
    Genna watched the exchange, wondering what the problem was, but not wanting to interfere.Amy had arranged to pick Alyssa up at the shopping mall and then treat the girls to pizza, ending the evening with a sleepover at the Dennisons. The girls had talked of little else for two days.
    Finally Jared capitulated, against his better judgment. A white eyelet nightgown with blue satin ribbons was bought and went into the shopping bag.
    They started down the wide hall of the shopping center, heading for the fountain where they were to meet Amy. As they strolled past the various shops, Jared casually snuck Genna’s hand into his. He smiled at her look of surprise, but held her hand firmly. It just seemed right. Genna held Alyssa’s hand on one side and his on the other. The word “family” kept strolling through his head. Good word. He liked it.
    After her first nervous glance at Jared, Genna trained her gaze on the stores they passed. This wasn’t the first time he’d held her hand, but it was the first time since she’d discovered she was in … L … with him. A strange, intoxicating excitement began to build inside her. A part of her wanted to bolt while another part wanted to do something entirely different. Tingles raced up her arm.
    Memories of the way his hand had felt on herbare breast rushed back to Genna with a reality that almost made her gasp. Inside the lacy confines of her bra her nipples hardened and suddenly became hypersensitive to the fabric rubbing over them, rubbing over them as Jared’s calloused thumb had that night in her kitchen. A wave of heat spread through her body.
    For heaven’s sake, Genna, you’re in a shopping mall. Knock it off .
    She pushed the erotic thoughts from her mind as they came to a store where she always loved to browse but could never afford to buy. A sultry brunette mannequin in the window wore a gorgeous purple taffeta halter-top dress with a double-tiered skirt and a big candy-box bow at her waist in back. It was the most elegant, extravagant thing Genna had ever seen. Her step faltered over so slightly.
    “See something you like?” Jared questioned, bringing them all to a halt.
    “Huh? Er—no,” she stammered, feeling silly for even looking at such a dress.
    A smile played at Jared’s mouth and his eyes crinkled at the corners. “Come on, Gen, fess up. You’ve got your eye on that dress.”
    “No.” She shook her head, blushing.
    His smile widened. “Genna.”
    “Okay,” she admitted, raising her hands in a gesture of defeat. “It’s pretty.”
    “Try it on.”
    “Don’t be silly.”
    “Try it on.”
    “No. What would I do with a dress like that?”
    “Wear it to school!” he said with a